Belgians to organise Akhand Paath in memory of Punjabi soldiers killed in WWI

Sher Singh, Associate, In Flanders Fields Museum while virtually addressing a press conference from Belgium emphasized that Belgians will always be grateful to those Sikh soldiers who bravely fought against the combined central powers of Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria and the Ottoman Empire in the First World War.

“Their bravery helped Belgium to save the nation from the German occupation. Ypers is a vital phase of Indian and Belgian history wherein unfortunately nearly 1.5 lakh Punjabi soldiers lost their lives in two major wars. The tales of their bravery will remain immortal in Belgium. This Akhand Paath is a tribute by Belgium in the holy month of Baisakhi,” said Sher Singh.

Speaking on the occasion, Brigadier GJ Singh (retd), while appreciating this initiative, also expressed concern over the indifference towards the soldiers in two different parts of the world – India and Europe.

He recalled that last year, along with Domineik Dendooven, director, In Flanders Fields Museum, they visited Sultanwind near Amritsar and met the families of martyred Punjabi soldiers. “The neglect of these families by the society and the government and even the abandoned memorials built by the British in their respect, now seems to be an insult for demised soldiers,” he said.

On the other hand, in Belgium, grand monuments have been built in the memory of those soldiers and the mark of respect is given every evening with the retreat, he added. He highlighted that there are thousands of families in the region who are related to the First World War and to cherish their memories ‘Yadgaari Melas’ should be organized annually.

Present on the occasion, War Veteran Col Perminder Singh Randhawa (retd), the key organizer and Founder of Sikhya Seekars while tracing down the history of World War I and role of Punjabi soldiers said that when soldiers landed on foreign soil, they were termed as ‘Gentlemen from India’, who could be the last hope for Allied forces against Germany’s aggression.

Col Randhawa’s grandfather, Surain Singh Randhawa, was also part of the same troop that gave tough resistance.