Parliament on Monday paid homage to millions who laid their lives down during long years of war, triggered by fascist forces 60 years ago.

"This victory over fascism, let us not forget, inspired the struggle of millions of people all over the world, including India, for justice, freedom and equality, which ultimately resulted in liberation of many countries from clutches of colonial rulers," Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee said.

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He said, "We, the nation as a whole, are with our prime minister who, along with over 50 world leaders, is paying tributes in Moscow [Images] to those brave soldiers who fought on behalf of allied forces against Nazi Germany [Images]."

Rajya Sabha Chairman Bhairon Singh Shekhawat said the realisation of the futility of war and the intense suffering it could cause to fellow human beings led to founding of the United Nations.

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"It also, in some sense, led to a hastening of the process of independence of a large number of developing countries, including India. We can say that the end of the war marked a move in favour of democratic forces," he said.

Both Houses observed a minute's silence in memory of the martyrs.