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Patrons:

Lord Karan Bilimoria
Lord Bhikhu Parekh
Mr G. P. Hinduja
Mr J. S. Sangar
Mrs. Jasbir Vohra

 

Advisors:

Dr. Daljit .K Maudgil

 

Chairman:

Lord Rami Ranger CBE

Vice Chairmen:
Hardyal S Luther
Joginder S. Vig

President:

Amarjit S. Dassan

 

Vice Presidents:

Surinder S. Aujla

Surjit S. Pandher
Jasbir S. Johal

 

General Secretary:

Pritpal Singh

Joint Secretary:
Dr. Peter S. Chadha

Finance Secretary:

Hardip Singh

 

PRO:

Satbir S. Bakshi

Social Secretary:
Parshotam S. Dhillon

Cultural Secretary:
Arun Luthra

Interfait & Charities Secretary:
Ravel S. Ahuja

Fund raising Secretaries:
John Athwal
Anant Sra
Harbhajan Dhillon


BSA Vasakhi dinner Organisers Mrs Indy Aujla Dr Rami Ranger MBE Dr Sukhbir Kapoor OBE Miss Harleen Kaur Mrs Suman Walia Mr Sukhdev Sidhu Mrs Jasbir Vohra
Army
Press Release

The members of the British Sikh Association were privileged to attend a special dinner on Thursday 9th June 2016 at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. The dinner was jointly hosted by the Academy’s Commandant, Major General Paul Nanson CBE and the British Sikh Association.

The event was held to honour and acknowledge the contribution of Sikhs who have a long history of serving alongside the British Armed Forces. The dinner was attended by over 100 distinguished guests including members of the Armed forces of Indian origin.

Starting with drinks and canapés in the Old College building, guests were then guided to the grand steps at the front of the magnificent building for an exceptional performance by the Band of the Gurkhas. The Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Nick Carter, KCB, CBE, DSO, ADC Gen presided over the proceedings along with Dr. Rami Ranger CBE, Chairman of the British Sikh Association, who took the salute.

The Chief of the General Staff addressed the guests and praised the contribution of Sikh soldiers in both of the great wars. He said they had distinguished themselves and had left a permanent legacy of their bravery in British history.

The guests were then taken to the prestigious Indian Army Memorial Room for dinner and speeches.

Major General Paul Nanson CBE, Commandant of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, welcomed the guests and said he was pleased to have the members of the Sikh community at Sandhurst. He mentioned the first ever Sikh soldier who passed out from the Academy was Maharaja Duleep Singh who was an exceptionally good cadet. He introduced the stained glass windows of the Indian Army Memorial room that commemorate the Indian Army’s service in WW1, of which one has the image of a Sikh soldier which was chosen because of the significant contribution made by Sikh regiments during battles. He further expressed his desire to engage with the Sikh community and to encourage them to join their armed forces as they once did in numbers, adding that the British Army does not care about background or religion but helping young people realise their potential and go into an honourable profession which offers opportunity, challenge, adventure and responsibility.

Mr Jasdeep Singh, the Curator at the National Army Museum spoke about the vast Indian Army memorabilia which spans a period of 250 years and contains over 110,000 objects. He confirmed that much of the collection relates to Punjab and in particular the Sikhs from the days of the British East India company right up to the partition of India in 1947. He added that the collection shows how the Sikh Symbol of the “Khanda” has changed and evolved into the modern symbol we see today.

Dr Rami Ranger CBE, Chairman of the British Sikh Association said - “It is an honour and privilege for me to be speaking from the Indian Army Memorial Room at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst. A place from where illustrious soldiers are trained to defend our way of life at any cost to themselves”. He added that the room reminded everyone of the common military history between the Sikhs and the British going back centuries, “symbolising our loyalty towards each other and above all, for King & Country”. He spoke of the great battles the Sikh soldiers had fought, including the battle of Saragarhi where just 21 brave Sikh soldiers made a stand and defended a British post against 10,000 Afghan tribesmen. The Sikh soldiers died fighting with valour waiting for reinforcements to arrive. Dr Ranger called for the resurrection of a Sikh Regiment in the British Army to bring resurrect the Sikh history of courage and loyalty for our Queen and Country. He added further that though it would be called the Sikh Regiment it should be open for anyone wishing to join regardless of race or religion in order to inspire people from all backgrounds in line with the Sikh doctrine of equality for all and fighting for the oppressed. He further added, “A Sikh Regiment would raise the profile of the Sikhs in Britain and would stop attacks on them as a result of mistaken identity.”

Hon. Richard Harrington MP, Minister at the Home office, spoke about charity, welfare and hospitality being at the core of the Sikh culture. He added, that as well as being brave warriors on the battle-field, Sikhs are known for their caring nature citing an example of the Sikh Welfare and Awareness team giving food to the homeless on the Strand, London.

Dr Virander Paul, Deputy High Commissioner of India said he was delighted to be invited by the British Sikh Association to such a wonderful and prestigious evening. He said that to speak at the dinner where British Sikhs and the wider British Indian armed forces personnel were present was a brilliant example of the friendship India has with the United Kingdom.

The Guest of Honour, the Rt. Hon. the Earl Howe PC, Minister of State for Defence spoke about the rich history of the Sikhs in the British armed forces. He said that the Sikhs were an asset when entering the armed forces. He spoke about the challenge the Prime Minister had set, that by 2020 at least 10% of the Armed Forces recruits should come from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities. He said that the Armed Forces would benefit a great deal as this recruitment would provide a valuable insight into other cultures. He also stated that the Government and Armed forces needed the help of the Sikh Community to communicate a message to the ethnic youth that they recruit from all backgrounds regardless of race or religion and with all three, the Armed forces, the Government and the Sikhs working shoulder to shoulder, “wearing our shared values on our sleeves” would no doubt make history together again.

In his closing remarks, Dr Sukhbir Kapoor OBE, Secretary General of the British Sikh Association, spoke of the many Sikh Generals and soldiers who had been praised by British Generals for their chivalry and bravery and praised the “honour of their turbans”. He added that there may not be a single Sikh house in Punjab that had not sent either a son or daughter to fight in the British Indian or Indian Armies. He went on to thank everyone present for making the event memorable and especially the service providers including Ragamama and the E.S.S. for providing delicious food and a pleasant service, Mr Ranjit Walia for the photography and the Band of the Gurkhas for giving everyone a performance they would never forget.

Guests enjoyed the rest of the dinner and had a chance to tour the building and view the paintings and artefacts of Indian soldiers who had served in the British Army.

Please click below to view the video presentation.
Click here for the Photo Gallery
Please click here to view Chairman's Speech
Please click on images to download high resolution pictures
BSA Executive Committee
Members of the British Sikh Association Executive Committee and guests at the Queen Victoria statue Sandhurst
BSA
The Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Nick Carter, KCB, CBE, DSO, ADC Gen. with the Rt. Hon. The Earl Howe PC, Minister of State for Defence, distinguished members of the British Sikh Community & President of the Sri Guru Singh Sabha Southall, Mr Gurmail Singh Malhi
BSA
Mr Ranjit Singh OBE, Global President of Sikh Forum International with members of the British Sikh Association Executive Committee and of the British Armed Forces
Guests at the grand steps of the Old College building
Guests at the grand steps of the Old College building
The Band of the Gurkhas
The Band of the Gurkhas
BSA
The Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Nick Carter, KCB, CBE, DSO, ADC Gen; Dr. Rami Ranger CBE, Chairman of the British Sikh Association and The Rt. Hon. The Earl Howe PC, Minister of State for Defence taking the salute from the Band of the Gurkhas
The Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Nick Carter, KCB, CBE, DSO, ADC Gen. The Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Nick Carter, KCB, CBE, DSO, ADC Gen.
The Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Nick Carter, KCB, CBE, DSO, ADC Gen. addressing guests and greeting Mr A. S. Rajan, Minister Coordination, High Commission of India. Brigadier Rajesh Kumar Jha, Military Adviser, High Commison of India and Dr Rami Ranger CBE, Chairman of the the British Sikh Association look on.
Major General Paul Nanson CBE welcoming the guests
Major General Paul Nanson CBE welcoming the guests
Mr Jasdeep Singh Dr Rami Ranger CBE
Mr Jasdeep Singh, the Curator at the National Army Museum talking about the Indian Army collection Dr Rami Ranger CBE, Chairman of the the British Sikh Association speaking about the great battles Sikh soldiers have fought in
Hon. Richard Harrington MP Dr Virander Paul
Hon. Richard Harrington MP, Minister at the Home office speaking about the Charity and Welfare work of British Sikhs Dr Virander Paul, Deputy High Commissioner of India talking about the close relationship India has with the United Kingdom
The Rt. Hon. The Earl Howe PC Dr Sukhbir Kapoor OBE
The Rt. Hon. The Earl Howe PC, Minister of State for Defence speaking about the need to have more Black, Asian and Ethnic Minorities in the Armed Forces Dr Sukhbir Kapoor OBE, Secretary General of the British Sikh Association giving his closing remarks
Guests enjoying the evening
Guests enjoying the evening.
The Band of the Royal Logistic Core entertaining guests during dinner
The Band of the Royal Logistic Core entertaining guests during dinner.
Stained glass window in the Indian Army Memorial room depicting a Sikh Soldier in the centre Guests viewing the Indian Army Memorial Gallery after dinner
Stained glass window in the Indian Army Memorial room depicting a Sikh Soldier in the centre Guests viewing the Indian Army Memorial Gallery after dinner
Guests
Guests
Guests taking a picture in front of a grand painting of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and members of the Royal family.
END