People
Sikh-Briton Soldier Honoured by Queen
TINA JUNDAY
A Sikh-Briton soldier who has served in the British army for more than 30 years has been honoured by Queen Elizabeth for his contribution to ethnic minorities.
Capt Makand Singh was presented with an MBE (Order of the British Empire) by the Princess Royal at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace attended by his wife Bindi.
He is captain of the 159 Supply Regiment and based at its Coventry Headquarters in Canley.
The 51-year-old, born in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, joined the army in 1977 with the Royal Army Ordinance Corps. In the late 1990s he joined the army’s recruiting organisation where his work has opened doors for ethnic minorities wishing to sign up.
Makand’s dad Baldev Singh was the first turban-wearing Sikh soldier while serving with the Royal Army Services Corps.
He said: “I am very honoured to receive the MBE. I have enjoyed my whole career with the army but for the last 10 years helping to make an army career accessible to communities has been particularly rewarding.”
There are 95 Sikhs in the British Army.
[Courtesy: Coventry Telegraph]
July 8, 2012
Conversation about this article
1: Harinder (Uttar Pradesh, India), July 08, 2012, 1:36 PM.
Balle, Balle!
2: Jogendra Chhabra (Marion, MA, USA), July 11, 2012, 11:36 AM.
A job well done, proving your religion and relation with God is a personal matter and we all ought to be treated equal as God created us. Only human beings differentiate between people but He never does. Every one has same rights and duties to his fellow humans, irrespective of color, creed and external appearances.
3: Harbinder Singh (UK), July 13, 2012, 2:51 PM.
Makand Singh has been regularly visible at many of the events of the Anglo Sikh Heritage Trail since its inception. He featured in the "Jawans to Generals" exhibition which still tours the UK. He was chosen because as a saabat soorat Khalsa he embodied the very principle of the Warrior-Saint ethos. In all our dealings with him the two words which define his persona are his unassuming modesty. For that reason alone he is well deserving of this accolade.
4: Dato Dr S.S. Cheema (Malaysia), July 16, 2012, 2:45 AM.
Well done, brother. You have made us stand out and make us very very proud.
5: Major Tarlochan Singh (Royal Malaysian Air Force) (Malaysia), July 16, 2012, 7:47 AM.
Once again, a Sikh has created history by being awarded the Order of The British Empire. We Sikhs from around the globe feel proud of his success and achievements. Well done, brother.
6: Hardev Kaur Chana (United Kingdom), July 16, 2012, 9:09 AM.
Well done. You have brought honour to the community. May God give enlightenment to others to follow your example.
7: Dr. Kerpal Singh Pannu (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia), July 16, 2012, 7:57 PM.
Heartiest congratulations on being presented with an MBE. Your services and dedication have been recognized! We Sikhs are proud of you.
8: Gurmit Singh Cheema (Kuala Lumpur), July 16, 2012, 11:24 PM.
A symbol of faith and bravery. A living example to our youth and to all who find barriers before them, that hard work eventually pays off, if it is performed with honesty and commitment. Sikhs are visible everywhere in every way, with Waheguru's blessings. I am truly happy for you, Sardar Capt Makand Singh ji, and wish you all the good health, prosperity and greatness in life. May your life shine forever around you as you have shone on ours ... Boley so nihal Sat Sri Akaal.
9: Suaran Kaur (Selangor, Malaysia), July 17, 2012, 6:06 AM.
Has made us all real proud!
10: Jassie (Malaysia), July 17, 2012, 7:44 AM.
You have made us proud. Congratulations.
11: Sgt..Sardul Singh (Canada), July 17, 2012, 1:50 PM.
Capt. Makand Singh's Dad served with me in Singapore in the British Army 18th Signal Regt. Please get in touch with me, Sir. I am proud of your achievement.
12: Jaswant Singh (Ipoh, State of Perak, Malaysia), July 18, 2012, 12:10 AM.
You have lived up to the code of conduct and eternal spirit of the Khalsa.
13: Datuk Balwant Singh Kler (Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia), July 21, 2012, 1:11 AM.
Sardar ji, you've made the Khalsa panth proud ... and for me, added pride as a Malaysian. May Waheguru keep you in chardi kalaa.
14: Kumaran Kunjoo (Singapore), July 22, 2012, 11:23 PM.
I knew Capt. Makand Singh's father, Sardar Baldev Singh, who served with me in GHQ Signal Regiment and 18th Signal Regiment in Singapore from 1955 to 1962. Congratulations on being honoured with MBE.
15: Hardeep Saini (Melbourne, Australia), July 23, 2012, 6:27 AM.
Congratulations from downunder. Very proud of your achievement. My grandfather and father were both from Taiping, Malaysia, and I do feel some kind of a bond with all Sikhs from that region.
16: Ranjeet Singh (Chandigarh, Punjab), July 23, 2012, 8:27 AM.
Brother, heartiest congratulations. You have brought honour to the community ... we're all so proud of you. Hope others will emulate you!
17: Harbhajan Kaur (Malaysia), July 23, 2012, 11:18 AM.
Congratulations, Veer ji. Sikhs all over the world are very proud of you, and it is a great honour to the Khalsa Panth.
18: Harbhajan Singh Samurai (Johor Bahru, Malaysia), July 28, 2012, 1:15 AM.
Congratulations, Sardar ji. You have done us proud all over the world, and hope that other naujawans, where ever they are, will strive hard to follow your foot-steps.
19: Mahanbir Singh Grewal (Port Augusta, SA, Australia), July 28, 2012, 4:21 AM.
Well done, Captain. Certainly an honor to the community, as to you and your family. We hope this achievement serves as a role model for our youth, who are our future.
20: Nari Bhullar (Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia), July 29, 2012, 12:57 AM.
Raj karega Khalsa!
21: Pardeep Gill (Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia), July 30, 2012, 3:32 AM.
Sardar Capt Makand Singh ji, Raj karega Khalsa! You have made us proud. Congratulations.
22: Surjit Singh. Kaila (United Kingdom), July 30, 2012, 8:43 AM.
This is an honor indeed not only to Sardar Capt Makand Singh ji but to us Sikhs all over the world. Sikhs are known for their bravery all over, whereever they live. This must give our youngsters an encouragement to join the army, air force, navy and police forces in their respective homelands. My family's and my own heartiest congratulations to you and your family. May Waheguru's blessings shower on you always.
23: Harpal Singh (Malaysia), August 20, 2012, 12:35 AM.
Congratulations and best wishes, Veerji. We are proud of you.
24: Manmohan Singh (London, United Kingdom), October 04, 2012, 3:06 PM.
Heartiest congratulations on this awesome achievement. May Waheguru bless you and make your life more fruitful.
25: Makand Singh (United Kingdom), December 14, 2012, 6:01 PM.
Dear all, Many thanks for your kind words. The messages of congratulations are truly humbling. There are a couple of people who served with my father; I would love to hear from you. Please contact me via makandsingh@hotmail.com. Best wishes.