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A Village of Martyrs

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Bilaspur, Moga, Punjab

Villagers here have built a Martyrs Memorial to honour the local soldiers who laid down their lives during the two World Wars.

Another martyr who laid down his life during the freedom struggle, and a villager who was killed in a police encounter during the Naxalite movement in the 1970s, were also honoured as martyrs.

A plaque has been raised in memory of eight martyrs and a statue of Capt Amrik Singh built separately in the ‘Shaheedi Samarak‘.

Amrik Singh, a captain in the Indian National Army (INA), was the colleague of Subhas Chandra Bose and was killed on May 15, 1944 while fighting on the Burma front in World War II. INA had honoured Capt Amrik Singh with Sardar-e-Jung award posthumously.

Freedom fighters Jawahar Singh Khela and Nand Singh Mall of the village too had made the ultimate sacrifice in World War II while fighting for the INA.

Bhai Mastan Singh Deol had died in World War I while fighting in Turkey. He was honoured with the Viceroy’s award.

Baba Budh Singh had laid down his life in the second Sikh-Anglo War at Mudki.

Bhai Hari Singh had laid down his life in the Jaito Morcha before Independence while Jagraj Singh was martyred in the 1962 India-China war.

Bala Singh was killed in a police encounter at a time when Naxalite movement was at its peak in Punjab in 1970s.

Village sarpanch Jaspreet Kaur said the villagers, with support from Sikhs from the diaspora and a variety of sports clubs, had decided to pay befitting tribute to the martyrs and constructed the memorial.

Capt Amrik Singh's son Gurmel Singh and daughter-in-law Jarnail Kaur, who live in Canada, said constructing a memorial is a fitting tribute to not only their father but the other martyrs as well.


[Courtesy: Times of India. Edited for sikhchic.com]
September 12, 2014
 

Conversation about this article

1: Dayal Kaur (Patiala, Punjab), September 12, 2014, 9:01 AM.

A poignant image of the Sikh saint-soldiers with the iconic quoits on their turbans. Gives them well-deserved halos!

2: Karam (Ahmedabad, India), September 12, 2014, 11:48 AM.

Sikhs only love to die for others. No wonder the drug menace is happening in Punjab.

3: Manbir Banwait (Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada), September 12, 2014, 4:07 PM.

The drug menace in Punjab is a problem for Punjab and for Punjabis to deal with. No one forces these folks to shoot up needles in their arms. Laziness and the lack of a work ethic is what caused these Punjabis to become addicts. Idle hands are the devil's workshop. As for the memorials: a little late, perhaps, but I'm glad recognition is finally being given to those fine folks of yesteryear.

4: Harinder Singh (Punjab), September 12, 2014, 4:29 PM.

Punjab has produced great warriors since time immemorial ... soor veer jamaaya Punjabi maava(n) ne.

5: K Kaur (Canada), September 13, 2014, 1:30 AM.

#3: What a unkind comment to make! What a narrow-minded view point so in line with Hinduism's treatment of those less fortunate and so lacking in the compassion which is the central tenent of Sikhi. It might be worth doing some reading around this subject and then trying to 'walk in someone else's shoes' before passing judgement from the oilfields in Calgary. What about the lack of jobs in Punjab to keep the youth occupied; the deliberate flooding of drugs to ease the pain of genocide; the lack of public education (children in the Punjab learn English in Grade 6 compared to other states); let's not forget the diversion of Punjab's river waters having an impact on its agricultural economy; and a whole missing generation of Sikh men? And actually this is a problem for all Sikhs to deal with and not just the Punjabis. Cultural and economic genocide affects the whole community and not a section of it.

6: Sangat Singh  (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia), September 13, 2014, 5:18 AM.

Please sing along this uplifting, most celebrated hymn by Guru Gobind Singh: deh shiva bar mohe ihai -- "Grant me this boon, O Lord, / May I never refrain from righteous acts; / May I fight without fear all foes in life's battles / With confident courage claiming victory. / May Thy glory be grained in my mind / And my highest ambition be singing thy praises. / When this mortal life comes to an end / May I die fighting with limitless courage ..."

7: Jasvir Kaur (Calgary, Alberta, Canada), September 13, 2014, 10:52 PM.

#3: It sounds like you're one of those who landed straight from the streets of India into Fort Mac. It shows in your smugness. Keep inhaling the tar-sands ...

8: Manbir Banwait (Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada), September 15, 2014, 3:55 PM.

What's with the anti-oilsands comments? "Inhaling tarsands"? Especially someone living in Calgary, which has boomed thanks to oil. I'm born and raised in this beautiful country. I've see the hard working Sikh community in nearly 42 nations around the world. Hard work in the face of evil is the key to success. No jobs in Punjab? Well, vote someone new in, instead of electing the same folks back into power. As for the thousands who were killed by the government 25-30 years ago, where were are the Sikh groups to help these people? If drugs are being flooded into the Punjab, it's due to demand. No one is forcing people to inject drugs. Folks make a conscious decision to do drugs. Most folks that work, pay mortgages, raise families do not have time to sit back and inject drugs. Blaming others for one's misfortunes will not fix anything. Evil is fought with light, not complaining.

9: N Singh (Canada), September 15, 2014, 11:23 PM.

#8: A question for you -- Do you hold the same views about aboriginals and blacks and their historic use of drugs and alcohol due to their 'painful' past or is it just reserved for the Punjabis?

10: Manbir Banwait (Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada), September 16, 2014, 3:01 PM.

N. Singh ji, many people of many different nationalities and ethnic backgrounds have had turbulent pasts. Not all turn to drugs and alcohol. That is and remains a personal choice. Slavery ended well over a century ago in the US. It's a ridiculous excuse to use to state that slavery in the 1800's causes present day blacks to have a dependency of drugs and alcohol. Black on black violence which many American inner cities have been trying to deal with, cannot be blamed on slavery. In fact, it takes away attention from some of the real issues that continue to cause the African American community to lag behind. Bill Cosby really sums it up quiet well. Playing the victim card can carry on for only so long till you have to, at some point, look into the mirror. The First Nations of Canada have every opportunity to further themselves. They sit on some of the richest resources in the world. Corrupt band leaders, poor management, and the lack of a strong family support network, all contribute to their problems. Lack of family support can still be traced to some left over remnants of the residential school screw up by the government. However, present day opportunities for education are at the tips of their finger tips. First Nations need to stand strong, not only demand better from the govt, but also from their own leaders. Sikhs needs to stay in chardi kala. Abuse of narcotics is not the path, no matter how deep the pain. Blaming others for one's woes does not resolve anything. Get up and fight back! Take control of your own destiny!

11: A. Singh (London, United Kingdom), September 17, 2014, 6:17 AM.

Self-determination is a fundamental ingredient for all successful employment. Why is it then surprising that whenever and wherever this basic human right is denied, whether on a national or personal level, to see a culture of despair and desperation develop?

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