Canada is a great country and due to MS liberal policies all the doors are Kept open for the refugees and foreigners from all over the world. I have realized that this country is peace where religious it differences are with curiosity and respect
The country is revered the world over is humanitarian and tolerant nation i was shocked and my peace of mind disturbed when I learned that on last remembrance day in Surrey B.C. five Sikh veterans were barred from entering in a Royal Canadian Legion hall because they would not remove their turbans it gave me a great device All we want are basic rights and freedom according to our faith. A considers it a great insult when I s turban comes off When two bow Gur head along with our turban we pay the true respect Moreover the real respect from the heart not from the outer show.
I joined the British India army in 1944 and retired in 1979 after 35 of distinguished service in the rank of Captain. In the World War Il we fought for the righteous cause and with the common aim to win the war Allied forces were like a strong chain and we the Sikhs were a very strong link in that chain.
My father Hony Lieut Sardar Isher Singh joined the British Indian army in 1902 and served 35 years with a famous cavalry HODSON HORSE. He was sanctioned 7 years of excisions of service over and above the Formal service tenure due to his excellent service. He has served as an / ADC to Lord Stanley Jackson Governor of Bengal (1929-1932) and further continued as an ADC w Lord John Anderson (1932-1937). He has attended House party photographs with Lord Wellington Lord Wellington. Lord Stanley Jackson Lord John Anderson along with a number of high ranking civil and military officials. My father was the only one Indian Sikh with a turban. During the World War I my father took all my uncles and others relatives totaling number 30 i in the any. He was a good polo player and while playing polo he kept his turban on his bead.
A*SANAD* has been issued to my father by:
HIS EXCELLENCYS COMMAND. KING GEORGE VIL signed by the Secretary of Defence Department and in witness signed by Lord Wellington Viceroy and Governor General of India with the following: To Our Trusty and Well Sardar Bahadur Ishar Singh Greetings.
The turban was issued by the Govt. WS a part of the uniform The Sikhs were also allowed to wear the KIRPAN (Sword) according to their religious belief and is prescribed by the army dress code. Our all the religious belief were accepted by the British. i Was pained when a veteran gave the remarks against Sikh veteran that if they feel the need to wear the turban then them go back to their own Country and let them do what they want wo do. This language is neither a language of disciplined soldier nor a Canadian way of expression May I know from those veterans who gave such remarks that their prayer on Remembrance Day does or does not include the Sikh veterans wearing turbans who gave their life in the battle field? However the prayer of the Sikh veteran ends with the following stanza according to their faith; O God be exalted and ALL prosper by THY GRACE (refer page 332 volume 5 The Sikh Religion by Max Arthur Macauliffe).
Max Arthur Macauliffe (1842-1913) author of a book The Sikh Religion Was engaged in judicial duties in India. He resigned and undertook the translation of Sikh sacred book (GURU GRANTH SAHIB) His work has been appreciated by Prof. Max Muller Prof Geheimer Hofrath Merx of the Heidelberg University. The distinguished scholar Count Angelo de Gubernatis president of the Roman Congress of Orientalist is along with proceedings of the Roman Congress also appreciated the works of Macauliffe. Lord Reave President of Royal Asiatic Society also strongly recommended his works. Sir Louis W. Dane also appreciated this works Lord Kitchener has presided the Macauliffe public lecture. All the prominent Sikh Societies has accepted his translating as being thoroughly accurate. He devoted his full time and Spent untold wealth on this undertaking (refer Preface of Volume i).
During the study of the sacred writings of the Sikh Gurus he came across a Hymn of fifth Guru Arjun Dev which had a great impact on his mind He was so impressed with Hymn that he put the first page of each of the six volumes. The Hymn is as follows the egg of superstition hath burst the mind is illumined: The Guru hath cut the fetters off the feet and freed the captive
Sikhism being from the east is practically an unknown religion. The Sikhs are distinguished throughout the world as a great military people but there is Little Known even to the professional scholars regarding their religion. As for the bravery and war like spirit of Sikhs no Cossack no Turk no Russian can measure swords with them A true Sikh will let his body be cut into pieces when fighting for his master The Sikhs considers dying in battle means Of salvation. No superiority of enemies in numbers no shot no shell can make his heart quail since his AMRIT (Baptism) binds him to fight single handed against millions (refer The Preface The Sikh Religion Vol. 1).
Article extracted from this publication >> June 3, 1994
