Soldiers join Sikh religious procession
THE British Army will walk side by side with Sikhs in Derby as they join the annual Vaisakhi procession for the first time.
Soldiers will be among the estimated 12,000 people taking to the streets as part of the procession through Pear Tree.
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TRADITIONAL FESTIVAL: Flashback to last year's Sikh Vaisakhi procession in Derby.
They are taking part in the traditional religious occasion to mark the ties between the Army and the Sikh community.
Councillor Ranjit Banwait helped to arrange the Army's involvement after being approached by representatives from the Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara, based in Princes Street, Derby.
He said: "I was in the local Territorial Army for a short period to get a taste of Army life, so when I was contacted by Gurpal Singh from the temple, asking me if I could pass on an invite to my contacts in the British Army, I was delighted to do so.
"There's an historic link between Sikhs and the British Army going back a long time. Sikhs fought bravely, not only in places like North Africa and Italy in the Second World War with the British 8th Army, but also in the terrible conditions of the trenches of the First World Ward in France, serving alongside British comrades.
"Having the Army at the parade will help celebrate old friendships and forge new ones."
The parade will be held on April 19. It starts at 2pm from the Guru Arjan Dev Gurdwara, in Stanhope Street, and continue through the city, passing by the other Sikh Gurdwara in Derby and back to Stanhope Street by 4.30pm.
Mr Singh said he was pleased the Army would be joining in.
"It is really to honour the 300-year relationship we have with the British Army," he said.
"This is the first time it has happened. The Army will also be setting up displays in the Sikh Heritage Centre in Princes Street to tell people about the contributions ethnic minorities have made to the Army."
Vaisakhi is the holiest festival in the Sikh calendar as it commemorates the birth of the Sikh Nation.
Major Mel Pears said around 30 soldiers, including a colonel and three majors, would be taking part in the parade.
He said: "When we got the invite we really, really wanted to take part in this. It is all part of our engagement with the Sikh community, taking part in their events and them taking part in ours and being in the British Army."
4 Comments
by KSD, Littleover, Derby
Friday, April 10 2009, 2:46PM
“'In the last two world wars, 83,005 turban-wearing Sikh soldiers were killed and 109,045 were wounded for the freedom of Britain and the world enduring shell fire, with no other protection but the turban, the symbol of their faith'
General Sir Frank Messervy, KCSI, KBE, CB, DSO. From the forward of Colonel F.T. Birdwood OBE, The Sikh Regiment in the Second World War.”
by Chris, Derby
Friday, April 10 2009, 2:16PM
“I think this is wonderful news, This is something we should all be very proud of.”
by Rob, Derby
Friday, April 10 2009, 1:12PM
“At last!!!!!!,
We are to be united, this shows to the rest of society we can live in harmony.”
by lee, london
Friday, April 10 2009, 9:57AM
“this is great-
on the day that the khalsa was made Guru Gobhind Singh ji said- to be a sikh you must regard man kind as one human race regardless of race religion and gender.
This is one of the many reasons why sikhs wear the turban as a symbol of truth and equality for all people.
The british army needs a sikh regiment- the sikhs will to give and share is strong.
sikhs do not set up missionaries or convert people, they simply get on with life and work hard for their living
sikhs are very visible due to their unique identity, but equally invisible as no one knows who they are.”