1 May 2002
Prince Charles launched the "From Jawans
to Generals: Loyal Allies, Proud Britons" exhibition today at
Wellington Arch, Hyde Park Corner, London. He praised the Sikh
contribution to the two world wars and remembered the 83,000 Sikhs that
gave their lives for the defense of freedom. The also quoted from the
writings of Guru Gobind Singh about upholding justice.
Harbinder Singh Rana, Projects
Director, of the Maharaja Duleep Singh Centenary Trust thanked the Prince
and highlighted the fact that the current British Army has 109,000
soldiers, while 107,000 Sikhs were injured in the two World Wars. He also
went on to say that the Trust is working with the Army to increase Sikh
participation in the UK's armed forces and to rekindle the spirit of the
Sikh soldiers of the past. Finally he reflected upon the recent electoral
success of the far right in France and suggested that M. Le Penn visit one
of the battlefields in France where he can reflect while reading the names
on a memorial of thousands of Sikhs who gave their lives to protect the
freedom of France.
(AP Photo/Eddie Mulholland, Pool)
The Exhibition "From Jawans to Generals: Loyal Allies, Proud Britons" runs from 2 May to 3 November 2002 at Wellington Arch, Hyde Park Corner.
The exhibition is an initiative of the Maharaja Duleep Singh Centenary Trust and is supported by English Heritage, The Army, The Imperial War Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Nearest Tube: Hyde Park Corner
Admission: £2.50 Adults: £1.90 Concessions: £1.30 children.
A programme of gallery talks and Free Demonstration of Sikh Swordmanship. 1pm on 19 May, 15 June, 14 July, 26 August and 7 September: accompany the exhibition.
Maharaja Duleep Singh Centenary Trust