Inauguration Of Plate In Memory Of Sikh Soldiers That Died In France

PARIS, France—The Conseil Representatif des Sikhs de France organized the inauguration of a plate in memory of the Sikh soldiers that died during the Great War.  The plate was inaugurated at the Gurdwara Singh Sabha Bobigny, in presence of French Government official, Préfet M. Philippe Galli.  Three MPs – M-G Buffet, M. Hanotin and V Capo-Canellas were also present.

Many French veteran associations attended the ceremony to pay homage to the Sikh soldiers. 

Henri Prevost Allard, descendant of General Allard delivered an impressive speech relating to the great history of the Sikh Empire.  He also touched upon the issues affecting the Sikhs in France.

Douglas Gressieux, president of Comptoire des Indes, gave a historical presentation of contributions by the Sikhs in the First World War.

French Sikh Youth came to the microphone to read letters by Sikh soldiers from 1914-1918, in which they talked about the massacres and horrific incidents from the war, the life in France and the censorship of their letters. Local Sikh leader Ranjit G. Singh emphasized the necessity to commemorate the contribution of Sikh soldiers as a way to connect the new French Sikh generation with the French Nation.

Mayor Stéphane de Paoli took the flow to share examples of the French Sikhs and how new generations need to follow their examples. Prefet M. Philippe Galli concluded his speech with few a words by General Foch regarding the inauguration of the Memorial of Neuve Chapelle in 1927.

During the ceremony, two exhibitions were put on display. The City of Saint Tropez borrowed the exhibition “French presence in Sikh Empire” and the Comptoire des Indes showed pictures of Sikhs soldiers during the war.