On Wednesday 19 April, the Ministry of Defence organised a Vaisakhi celebration in their Whitehall premises for the second year in a row. Sir Michael Fallon, the Defence Secretary, was the Chief Guest and it was attended by the members of the Armed Forces, Met Police and the community.
Festivities began with prayers (or shabbat) by students of the Khalsa Secondary School. The Sikh Chaplain Bibi Mandeep Kaur, from British Armed Forces explained what Vaisakhi is and the significance of Khalsa. Lord Inderjeet Singh spoke about implications of Vaisakhi for Sikhs today, followed by Jasprit Singh, Chaplain Kaur's brother, who spoke about Sikh identity through the philosophies of Vaisakhi. Rev (group Captain) John R Ellis spoke about 'hope'.
The most entertaining was the experience shared by Chief Supt Raj Kohli, speaking about his identity as a member of Police, Public Order Commander and more importantly as a turban wearing Sikh.
Sir Michael Fallon was in India earlier this month. He said, “I was in India last week and had the chance to meet many Sikh veterans and reflect on their enormous contribution towards the stability of that great democracy
"Yet, through some strange serendipity, I also had the opportunity to reflect on the Sikh contribution to the security of British democracy too. Since, while I was there I met a soldier whose relative had served with one Captain Harold Spink, my own grandfather, as part of Indian Expeditionary Force D during the Great War. It was remarkable to think of our forebears separated by distance and culture yet united by a shared destiny.
“But their story is only one among hundreds of thousands. And today on Vaisakhi we resolve never to forget what our Sikh comrades-in-arms did for this country a century ago from the quagmires of Passchendaele to the deadly shoals of Gallipoli. Nor will we forget the famous last stand of those brave Khalsa warriors at Saraghari. And the death-defying deeds of their descendants in more recent times- with the likes of Flt Lt Jon Singh from the RAF, saving lives by landing his badly damaged chinook in Afghanistan, amidst a hail of gunfire, and winning the distinguished flying cross, incidentally the same medal, won by his grandfather for flying reconnaissance missions in the Second World War.
"Today is our opportunity to pay tribute to the current contribution of our proud Sikh communities...but throughout society.”
He paid his respects to Judge Sir Mota Singh, the first Asian on the English bench, who died last year and also mentioned Sir Rabinder Singh, now the first Sikh High court judge.
“Last month I had the great honour to attend the British Sikh Association annual dinner and present awards to Chairman and founder of Edwardian hotels Jasminder Singh and film director Gurinder Chadha...For me the award that really stood out was the one to Khalsa Aid, a charity acting on the great Sikh principle of seva, selfless service, responding to the notion that the whole human race is one by getting out there and doing good…”, he added.
The Minister then went on to say, “For when we look at those great articles of your faith, we see so much in common, you have the kara symbolising that permanent bond to your communities, we have our Armed Forces covenant...So today is not just about commemoration, it is about a celebration, of the values we share. And the reason why I'm so keen for more Sikhs to join our Armed Forces, whether as soldiers, sailors or pilots or accountants, IT experts and engineers. The reason I'm determined to see more Sikhs rising up the ladder, so that one day we will have kara wearing admirals, kirpan wearing Generals and Kanga wearing Commodores is because you embody the values that we seek to represent across the world...”
Speaking to Asian Voice exclusively, while he confirmed, that the British Army will not have a separate Sikh regiment in the near future, he showed keen interest in working together with India, exploring ways of forging a future together, especially in the defence sector.
The event concluded with a presentation and Sikh martial arts display by Sahebzada Baba Ajit Singh Akhara, on traditional warrior weapons and its relevance to Military today.
