UK: Sikh War Memorial Plan Gets Extensive Support

Posted: 01 Mar 2016

BRISTOL, UK—The Sikh community living in Bristol have expressed support for a war memorial dedicated to the Sikhs who lost their lives in the World War One.  The projected memorial will be built in Bristol, which is home to over 10,000 Sikhs.
“The memorial is need of the hour.  We need to preserve our history, ” said Ravcharan Singh.  During the first World War, close to 83,000 Sikhs lost their lives, while over 100,000 were critically injured.  Despite being less than 2% of Indian population at that time, Sikhs made up 20% of the British Indian Army and fought alongside other troops with dignity.
“Sikh troops were allowed to wear turbans and they fought bravely along with British, French and other soldiers,” added Ravcharan Singh, who is keenly awaiting the memorial.  He appealed to local officials to ensure the memorial is built so that Sikh memories can be preserved for the future generations.
BBC reported that earlier, the Bristol mayor and the city council had been called upon to support the memorial.  Labour councillor Ron Stone, who passed away last year in December had led the initiative.  “Labour councillor Steve Pearce and Bristol’s Sikh community have taken on the campaign,” reported BBC.