NEW YORK CITY (TIP): Solemn Words of Homage were offered to the 21 Sikh Braveheart-Martyrs, on the Sacred 126th Anniversary of the Epochal Battle of Saragarhi, as they were honoured at the Indian Consulate-General of New York, on the 12th of September 2023, by Saragarhi Foundation, in active collaboration with the Consulate-General of India. The Welcome Address was presented by Ambassador Randhir Jaiswal, Consul General of India, New York, as he so very graciously offered to Honor and Cherish the Sacred Memory of this unparalleled act of gallantry, on an annual basis.

Mrs. Varinder Kaur Khas was the M.C., who conducted the proceedings with elan, is the General-Secretary of Saragarhi USA Chapter. She was awarded a Citation.

A documentary on the historic battle was screened on the occasion, wherein one scene depicted the actual battle-site, where Dr. Gurinderpal Singh Josan, Founder of Saragarhi Foundation, hoisted the Khalsa-Sikh insignia Nishaan Sahib, for the 1st time on the 8th of July 2019. Up to the time of the battle, the British Union Jack was fluttering there. At the battle-site, Dr. Josan offered an ‘Ardaas of Shukraana’ (Prayer of Gratitude) to ‘Akaal-Purakh’ (The Almighty Majesty) and to Guru Sahibji, for the Blessed Gift of unfathomable fortitude bestowed upon the 21 Sikh Warriors, who outright refused to surrender, preferring to die fighting, despite receiving such an option/offer of safe-passage, from the Afghan enemy rank & file.

Last year, Saragarhi Foundation and about 25 Sikh families of the region inaugurated the 1st Gurdwara Saragarhi Singh Sabha, at Hangu.

The M. C., then, requested the attendees to rise, for offering a thirty second homage to the Brave Martyrs. Similarly, a two-minute standing ovation to the Sacred Memory of the Martyrs was offered in the British Parliament, soon after the battle in 1897. She said this is the only Indian Embassy or Consulate in the world, which has taken up the initiative of hosting such a paramount event and so she expressed the Sikh community’s utmost gratitude towards Shri Randhir Jaiswal ji, for his immense support and enthusiastic fervor. Earlier, this year, the Consulate also hosted a British Army Delegation invited by Saragarhi Foundation.

Ambassador Jaiswal honoured Dr. Gurinderpal Singh Josan with a shawl and a signed coffee-table book from the Prime Minister of India. Dr. Josan addressed the invitees and gave a brief description of his endeavors, pertaining to the revival of the Spirit of Selfless Service & Supreme Sacrifice, epitomized by 21 Sikh Martyrs in the Line of Duty.

Prof. I. S. Saluja, the Chief-Editor of Indian Panorama Weekly, made an emotional speech recalling the Spirit of Sacrifice inculcated by Guru Gobind Singh Sahibji, in the Sikhs, by setting a uniquely Divine precedent of sacrificing all four of his illustrious sons, all of whom were aged under 17. The Golden-Chain of 10 Gurus, spanning 239 years : Guru Nanak Rai Sahibji (circa 1469-1539) through Guru Gobind Singh Sahibji (1666-1708) practiced and preached humility along with fearlessness, thereby presenting the model of an egalitarian and empowered society. The 5th Guru Arjan Sahibji and the 9th Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahibji embraced Martyrdom, bearing the brunt of intense tortures but refused to be cowed down by tyrannical rulers. Prof. Saluja said Guru Gobind Singh Sahibji epitomized the Saint-Soldier image, leading from the front, to face the mighty oppressive Mughal-Dynastic regime of India.

Mrs. Mandeep Kaur Gill, the 5th generation of Havildar Ishar Singhji and the President of Canada Chapter of Saragarhi Foundation made an address.

Mrs. Harpinder Kaur, the 4th generation of Shaheed Sahib Singhji addressed the audience.

3 Veteran Soldiers from 4 Sikh Battalion of the Indian Army (erstwhile 36 Sikh Regiment of the British Army) were honoured
Subedar Major Sukhdev Singh, CHM Gurcharan Singh, Havildar Jaswinder Singh and Havildar Jaspal Singh were honoured and Sukhdev Singh ji addressed the invitees. S. Harbans Singhji special representative from Gurdwara Guru Nanak Darbar Hicksville NY was also present. Media personnel from Jus Punjabi of Penny Sandhu, TV Asia and official media team of Consulate deserve special appreciation for the event-coverage.

Manjit Kaur NYPD volunteer for 5k NY marathon; Harjinder Kaur Jammu is Punjab State level marathoner; Punjit Singh is a marathoner and a sky-diver. S. Onkar Singh
Community Activist was also honoured. All of them received Citations.

Ms. Gurkirat Kaur, S. Meharjot Singh, Ms. Pahuljot Kaur and Ms. Angelina Kaur Uppal the four winners of the essay competition on Saragarhi were presented trophies, by Ambassador Jaiswal and Dr. Varun Jeph, the Deputy Consul General. Vote of thanks was presented by S. Akashjot Singh from Canada, who is the 6th generation of Shaheed Sahib Singhji. He profusely thanked the Consul-General for the great hospitality and the special food service for the guests and audience.
(Report prepared by Amarjit Singh Anand, New York)