Sikhs of Europe inaugurate for the first Sikh Military Monument in Forli, Italy on 13th August 2011

 

By:  Mr. Bhupinder Singh Holland

                                         Press Release

 

Forli - Italy. August 13, 2011

On Saturday 13th August 2011 thousands of Sikhs from all over the World, mainly from Europe (Italy, United kingdom, Holland, France and Switzerland) gathered at Forli Indian Army War Cemetery in Italy in an inauguration ceremony to reveal the first Sikh military monument dedicated to the Sikh warriors who laid their lives in World War II for the freedom of Europe. It has reminded the 300 years of the birth of khalsa when to honor the Khalsa and the sacrifices of the Sikh soldiers during World War I, the City of Ieper together with the European Sikh Community organized a celebration of Peace on Sunday 4 April 1999 at Cloth Hall in Ieper - Belgium and the Panj Piara's unveiled a Sikh monument in Hollebeek where Sikh soldiers were deployed and fought the Germans facist for the first time during World War I.

 

It should be noted that Sikhs have fought in Forli (1943-45 ) in 1st - 2nd - 8th - 11th - 15th - and 16th Punjab Regiment, Nabha Akal Infantry, 1st Sikh Engineers , 11 Sikh Regiment, 12th and 13th Frontier Force Rifles, Indian Pioneer Corps and English Regiments with Sikhs like King George V's Own Bengal Sappers and Miners, 1st Duke of York Own Cavalry ( Skinner's Horse ), 6th Duke of Cannaught's Own Lancers ( Watson Horse ), Prince Albert Victor's Own Cavalry and Royal Indian Army Services Corps . 352 Sikhs died here out of 800 British Indian Soldiers according to Common Wealth War Graves Commission records. Other soldiers are from 18 Garhwal Rifles and 4 & 5th Mahratta Light Infantry.

 

For the liberation of Italy, 5773 British Indian Soldiers have died in Italy, mostly Sikhs, along with the Allied forces. Besides Forly, Sikhs have also fought in Cassino, Florence, Ravana and Sangro River during World War II. Montecchio Precalcino Communal Cemetery and Taranto Town Cemetery Extention have also Samaads of 1 Sikh soldier of World War I each.

 

Important leaders of the Sikhs and Italian Nation joined together to grace this historical occasion. President of Shromani Akali Dal Amritsar, Sardar Simranjit Singh Mann from India was also present. Everyone paid homage to the Sikh-Saint soldiers who laid their lives and fought for freedom of Europe in World War II. The event was proudly organized by the World Sikh Saheed ( Martyrs) Military Memorial Committee , Italy, under the leadership of Mr Harwinder Singh, Mr Prithipal Singh, Mr. Kewal Singh, Mr. Satnam Singh, Mr. Sewa Singh Fauji and Mr Balwinder Singh Chahal with assistance from all the Sikh Sangat and Gurdwaras of Italy and with the kind co-operation of the Town Hall of Forli.

 

Invited guests from United Kingdom were: Mr Dal Singh Dhesy – Director of Sikh Community and Youth Services UK, Mr Ranvir Singh Virdi – Member of Royal British Legion, Birmingham, Mr Jaswant Singh Matharu – Member of Royal British Legion, Oldbury, Mr Gurdev Singh Manku – Honorary Alderman of Birmingham City Council and former Mayor -  Councillor Inder Singh Jamu and Councillor Hardial Singh Rai - both from London Borough of Barking and Degenham. Sardar Bhupinder Singh Holland from Netherlands – Reknowned Sikh Writer and auther of 'How Europe is Indebted to the Sikhs, Role of Sikhs in Europe during 1st and 2nd World War' attended with his family.

 

Present Governor of West Vlanderen Mr. Paul Breyne in whose province Sikhs have fought twice during World War I, Present Mayor of Ieper Mr. Luc Dehaene whose City was defended by the Sikhs and Chemical Gas Chlorine was used against them in April 1915, David Symons, Director of Communication & Information,

Commonwealth War Graves Commission, who mantains all the memorials and Cemeteries of World War I & II in 50 countries and Sardar Ganga Singh Dhillon, Chairman Siri Nankana Sahib Foundation, working for the grant of  free access ( Darshan), Services ( Seva ) and maintenance of the Gurdwaras in Pakistan has send messages of goodwill and congratulations to the Sikh Nation for the inaguaration of the Forly Sikh Monument and were read to Sangat ( gathering ) by Mr. Balwinder Singh Chahal.

 

Mr Stefan Popdimitrov, sculptor, who created the first military monument dedicated to the Sikh warriors who fell in World War II in Europe attended the ceremony with his wife. His brilliant art/sculptor work on the monument is very detailed and represents the true spirit of the Sikh soldiers.

 

The whole event was transmitted live by the SikhTV and Sanget TV channels. Dal Singh Dhesy and his colleagues from UK laid a wreath besides the Sikh Military monument emphasizing the message that we will not forget them. It must be remembered that a monument is a true permanent reminder of the events in the past and is a gathering point for those actively remembering. It's physical appearance is a constant reminder for any unaware passer-by never to forget Sikh sacrifices for Europe's freedom.

 

A religious Diwan (gathering) was held to cater for hundreds of Sikh devotees in a nearby marquee to the Forli Cemetery. Many prominent speakers and guests were honored as they put across their views on various issues to the Sangat from the stage. Some Italian soldiers who fought the War along with the Sikh soldiers were honored including a doctor who served the wounded Sikh soldiers. Mayor of Forly was honored for his tireless services to Sikh Community. It was a very hot sunny day and the temperature rose in the region of 38 deg C. Many stalls provided free Guru Ji Ka langar and ice cold water to those attending the ceremony. To end the day open air Sikh martial display was performed by highly decorated team of Sikhs from Italy.

 

Next day on Sunday, Gurdwara Sangat Sabha in Terranuova, AREZZO invited the guests from the UK and Holland. Sardar Balwinder Singh Chahal and the Gurdwara committee members welcomed and honoured the guests. Gaini Balwinder Singh, Sardar Surinder Singh Dhaliwal (President), Sardar Sukhjit Singh (Gen. Sec.), Sardar Channan Singh, Sardar Sukhjinder Singh and Sardar Gurmit Singh were present in the Sanget. Mr Dal Singh Dhesy, Mr Inder Singh Jamu and Mr Bhupinder Singh Holland addressed the congregation from the stage and shared their experiences in UK and made the listeners aware of our past Sikh history in Europe especially during World War I and ll.

To summarise, the first Sikh military monument of World War II will provide continuous inspiration to the upcoming Sikh generations as they will grow with their heads held high among the Italians and European countries as proud citizens of their respected nations. The Sikhs all over the world are very proud of the initiative taken by the Italian Sikhs to bring our military history to the forefront. The monument reflects and may provide a better understanding to the Western authorities in Europe regarding the importance of the turban for the Sikhs. The plaque on the monument placed by the Sikh Community Italy states the quotation of Sir Winston Churchill as ' We are today able to live with honour, dignity and independence. In

the war, they fought and died for us, wearing the turbans'.

 

In the words of General Sir Frank Messervy, K.C.S.I., K.B.E., C.B., D.S.O.
"Finally we that live on can never forget those comrades who, in giving their lives, gave so much that are great and good to the story of the Sikh Regiment. No living glory can transcend that of their supreme sacrifice. May they rest in peace.
In the last Two World Wars 83,005 turban wearing Sikh soldiers were killed and 109,045 were wounded. They all died or were wounded for the freedom of Britain and the World, enduring shellfire with no other protection but the turban, the symbol of their faith."

 

Though the recent research on the contribution of Sikh soldiers during World Wars reveals the figure much higher but Ieper and Forly Sikh Monuments will always remind the world of their great sacrifices for the freedom of mankind.

 

 

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