AMRITSAR SAHIB, Punjab—Paying rich tributes to the Sikh soldiers who were martyred during World Wars, the Vishav Yudh Pehla Te Duja Shaheed Welfare Society (VYPDSWS) today launched a website, dedicated to contributions of soldiers who laid their lives in these wars.
The website, said the organizers, will provide vital information through videos and features to the people online regarding the martyrs’ role in saving democratic values, lives in Europe and other countries during World Wars first and second.
In a brief but impressive function organized at village Sultanwind near here, Bhupinder Singh Holland who joined the launching ceremony online from Holland said that the purpose of the website www.vishavyudhsultanwind.org is aimed to provide a consolidated information platform to the people on the role of the Sikhs in World Wars. An Alumnus of Khalsa College, Amritsar, Holland has already written two books on the subject and had been spearheading a movement to give suitable honour to the unsung heroes of the Wars.
Punjab Cultural Promotion Council head and Khalsa College Global Alumni Association (KCGAA) President Dr.Davinder Singh Chhina who presided over the function, said the website had been prepared by senior alumnus Holland who has been dedicated to the supreme sacrifices made by the Sikh soldiers. He said they fought for the protection of the beleaguered people who were being victimized by the powerful forces of Nazis and their allies in the world.
The website contains 17 videos and other information and would be continuously updated with the information. In the first World War during the France and Belgium war which lasted for 14 months, 34,252 soldiers, mostly Sikhs died while during the Second World War 89,218 soldiers died.
Khalsa College Governing Council (KCGC) honourary secretary Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina in his message said the Sikh fought with bravery in three continents including Europe, Asia, Africa and even in the Middle East. He congratulated the organizers on the launch of the website. He lauded the services of Khalsa College Alumni for making such efforts to highlight the sacrifices of the Sikhs around the world. DS Rataul, SS Gumtala, Gurinder Singh Mahal, Harpreet Singh Bhatti, were present during the program.
Notably, the Sikh soldiers set examples of gallantry and bravery while fighting in both the World Wars. Their contribution is recognized in the United Kingdom (UK) and France even today. Paying tribute to these soldiers, memorials have also been raised in these countries.
