City memorial would be world's first to honour Sikhs killed during wars
THE world's first dedicated Sikh memorial is being planned in Derby to represent millions of Sikhs who died in six holocausts and both world wars.
Planning permission is being sought to create the £1 million National Sikh Holocaust and Shaheedi Memorial in Pear Tree.
The Sikh community said it would be "unique" and the first of its kind worldwide.
Gurmel Singh Kandola, one of the volunteers who set up the National Sikh Heritage Centre, in Prince's Street, said funding would come entirely from donations from the Sikh community.
Cheap Van Insurance(Commercial & Private Use) - Contact Insure365...
View detailsCheap Van Insurance(Commercial & Private Use) - Contact Insure365 01782 898188. Free Legal Protection Included Valued at £25.00
Terms: 1 Voucher Per Customer
Contact: 01782 898188
Valid until: Friday, June 21 2013
He said: "This memorial is going to have a lot of interest from around the world. It will be really high-profile.
"We hope a member of the Royal family will formally open it later this year."
The memorial, 7.2 metres high and 13 metres wide, would be made from granite and sandstone and built close to the heritage centre, where a museum dedicated to Sikh culture opened two years ago.
It would highlight the huge contribution of Sikhs to the UK – 83,000 Sikhs died in the world wars and a further 109,000 were injured.
And it would be a place to remember the millions who died in six holocausts in India and Pakistan between 1658 and 1995.
The project has been welcomed by Gurmel Singh Bola, whose uncle, Chatter Singh, was killed in 1984 during the most recent holocaust.
The 50-year-old, of Heatherton village, said: "My uncle was shot by a policeman and then a mob starting beating him with metal rods and set fire to him.
"I think this memorial is a very nice idea, especially as there are war memorials around the country but nothing like this."
The memorial, if given permission, would be made of white stone, white granite, black granite and sandstone.
People would enter through an ornate archway and there would be eight steps up to a water feature, with seats lined up on either side for people to sit.
Last year, then Prime Minister Gordon Brown visited the heritage centre, which focuses on the Sikh story.
Mr Singh Kandola said: "We are a community which hasn't healed. The Jewish community has gone some way to heal, but we feel our story hasn't been told.
"We haven't had any closure and this is why we are having this memorial."
He added that "political reasons" had prevented a memorial being built in India.
Engineering firm Morgan Tucker would design and manage the construction of the memorial from different types of stone – each with a specific meaning.
Matthew Tucker, from the firm, said: "We are delighted to be working with the Sikh community on this memorial.
"The combined museum and heritage centre and memorial will put Derby on the world stage."
Full planning permission will be sought shortly. If granted, work could start on site in the spring, said Mr Tucker, with the memorial completed later in 2011.
Frank McArdle, chief executive of South Derbyshire District Council, is patron to the National Sikh Heritage Centre and Holocaust Museum.
He said: "I am convinced that this is an excellent opportunity to promote community cohesion in and around the city of Derby.
"This will be a beacon which will help promote Derby as a destination for Sikhs from all over the world for many years to come."
Six Holocausts In Four Centuries:
1st Sikh Holocaust, 1658
Muslim Emperor Auragnzeb, on
becoming the ruler of India in 1658, started a campaign to forcibly
convert the entire population of India to his faith.
2nd Sikh Holocaust, 1708-1716
The
Mughal Emperors Bahadur Shah and Farrukh Shah took steps to try to
exterminate the Sikhs by issuing a number of edicts instructing the
population. An estimated 25,000 Sikhs died as a result.
3rd Sikh Holocaust 1726-1746
During
this period bounties were placed on the heads of Sikhs. Information on
the whereabouts of a Sikh was worth 10 Rupees, a dead Sikh was worth 50
and a Sikh brought alive to the Lahore markets was worth 100.
4th Sikh Holocaust 1758-1767
Ahmed
Shah Abdali invaded India from Afghanistan and despised the Sikhs who
constantly harassed his armies. For revenge, he sent an army of over
150,000 men to attack a much smaller band of Sikhs.
Over 30,000 Sikhs were killed in February 1762.
This event is known in Sikh history as the Wada Ghallughara, or the Great Holocaust.
5th Sikh Holocaust 1947
India
was given independence from the British but the Sikhs' homeland,
Panjab, was carved in two between India and the new Pakistan.
Sikhs found themselves being run out of their own homes by mobs.
An estimated 40% of the Sikh population became homeless and 2.5% of the Sikh population killed.
6th Sikh Holocaust 1984-1995
Sikhs
demanded resolution of their historical grievances relating to Panjab
state but the media, politicians, police, army and extremist
organisations were used to silence them. In total about 200,000 Sikhs
died.
Comments
by Singh, Derby
Tuesday, January 11 2011, 1:30PM
“Derby set for world's first Sikh war memorial
http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/derby/hi/people_and_places/religion_and_ethics/newsid_9357000/9357684.stm”
by Christopher, Derby
Monday, January 10 2011, 8:06PM
“Rob, I am pleased that we can agree on this issue. I have Sikh friends and was actually invited to the opening of the Sikh Temple back in 1993, it was an amazing experience and I was made to feel very welcome.
There is much to be learned from the Heritage Centre and this memorial will be a wonderful addition to the rich cultural treasures that are already to be found in this area of Derby.”
by Rob, Heanor
Monday, January 10 2011, 7:04PM
“Christopher
We've crossed swords on some issues on this website, but I agree with you 100% on this one.
The sacrifice that the parents and grandparents etc.of some of Derby and the UK's Sikh community in two World Wars deserves to be fully recognised. Hopefully the memorial will also educate those, like myself, who are largely ignorant of Sikh history.
The Sikh community also deserve praise for being so pro-active in planning and funding this proposal.”
by Christopher, Derby
Monday, January 10 2011, 6:39PM
“I think this is excellent news, it is something that should have been created a long time ago considering how many Sikhs have died in battles defending Britain and the Commonwealth (former Empire) along with all the other periods where Sikhs have sacrificed their lives. They are known to have been amongst the some of the bravest and strongest supporters who defended our nation in both World wars, and really deserve recognition for their self sacrifice in the name of freedom.
The fact that they can not have such a memorial in India "due to political reasons" is something that should make us proud of living in a country where such things are possible. I hope there are no problems with planning permission.
The fact that this is unique and will attract attention from around the world, as I understand the Sikh Heritage Centre is already doing, is not only good for community relations, but will be good for Derby's economy.
What does amaze me is some of the crass comments that people have made on this forum about tax payer's money and statements such as "who's paying"? Without apparently reading the story first. Funding will come entirely from the Sikh Community! Oh I wish we could see more of this kind of commitment when we want something that will benefit the city and its people.”
by Harry Ralph, Derby
Monday, January 10 2011, 6:26PM
“A fine contribution in the grand scheme of things.
http://www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/news/Poppy-tribute-honours-Sikh-war-heroes/article-2782653-detail/article.html”
by john jennings, derby
Monday, January 10 2011, 6:18PM
“what a super idea, and waht a response from a proud community.
The contribution to this nation alone during the second world war was immense, and what's more, all volunteers who came and fought and died in defense of our freedom we enjoy today.
Good Luck with your application.”
by Tom Fulep, Sinfin
Monday, January 10 2011, 6:06PM
“I smell a hint of racial negativity amongst some of the comments on here.
Good on the Sikh community for working together on this. Shame other communities are often not so proud of their history. And don't forget people, our own history isn't squeaky clean!”
by Gurcharan Singh Kulim, Chigwell, Essex.
Monday, January 10 2011, 6:01PM
“The numbers allegedly killed by the Indian state[I would not use the word hindus, as the mass killings of Sikhs in 1980s was not religion based but politically inspired by the CONGRESS party that was clearly communally tainted in that period] according to various sources, depending who one can believe based upon evidence provided, runs from 25,000 at the lowest to about 200,000 at the highest.The government figures range low as they have closed an eye to the killings and many thousands of persons remain unaccounted for, and not to mention thousands of others who still languish in jails.The alledged "killings of hindus" is a very debatable because while MOST Sikh movement in the Punjab was restricted, it was the state inspired covert agencies who were openly carrying weapons and also opportunists that embarked upon killing people, which included not only hindus , but Sikhs considered a threat to the comunally corrupted state.The stark facts that there were and have NEVER been HINDU-SIKH riots in the Punjab support that Sikhs are NOT anti Hindu, nor vice versa, but politically tainted and corrupted Congress forcibly brought to the fore front Sikhs, who had enough of the state tyranny to respond in the last and only avenue left; after decades of patient talks to negotiate recognition for the rights of the Punjab,were constantly denied by the central government,in the main, the corrupted Congress Party .Ironically,lacking the propoganda machinary and expertise, and a divided leadership, the Sikhs became the unwitting victims of mass state sponsored false propoganda.Sikh leader Bhindrawala, being inexperienced in politics walked straight into the trap, while firing off ONLY verbal rhetoric, which in western democracies is a very accepted part.The rest is now history, with weapons planted in the Harmander sahib,Sikh movement restricted and totally controlled by the state Sikhs could only watch their glorious history and image being destroyed,their reputation as defenders of freedom being tarnished;rose to realise that nothing of historical value will ever survive in their homeland.As the Jews read through their new book of Israel , the Sikhs are only begining to author their painful story to the world.Even in these times, we seek the welfare of the humanity and the entire world. We are NOt terrorist, we are not rebels we are the saint soldiers seeking good in all regardless of colour, creed and race.For over 500,000 of us Britain is our new Homeland,in every community we live, we look forward to striving and remaking it Great Britain again, in any which way lawfully , but not with betrayal or treason.”
by Vik Singh, Derby
Monday, January 10 2011, 5:50PM
“Did you read the article?
Can you read?
"Gurmel Singh Kandola, one of the volunteers who set up the National Sikh Heritage Centre, in Prince's Street, said funding would come entirely from donations from the Sikh community"
Yes, Taxpayers indeed. Most probably Sikh Taxpayers.
And don't worry Caz i'm sure there will be adequate parking available too.”
by caz, derby
Monday, January 10 2011, 5:40PM
“i dont think it will be built well, ive seen some of the extensions locally and they are an eyesore”