History
Royal British Legion Adds The Khanda to Its Remembrance Day Appeal
THE TELEGRAPH
The khanda, one of the symbols of Sikhism, will be included in the annual Poppy Appeal organised by the Royal British Legion in honour of the Sikh soldiers who fought along with British troops around the world.
The appeal is held on Remembrance Sunday, which falls on November 13 this year.
The Royal British Legion, a charity organisation which raises funds for soldiers who served or are serving in Britain’s armed forces, will showcase the khanda to reflect the sacrifices and contribution of the Sikhs.
In this year’s appeal in Leicestershire - which has a significant Sikh population - the khanda will join the Christian Cross, the Jewish Star of David and the Muslim Crescent, which have been introduced in recent years.
The khanda, made up of a quoit, two interlocked swords and a double-edged sword, will be on sale alongside poppies and the other wooden emblems.
Jennifer Leach, the Legion’s community fund-raiser in Leicestershire and Rutland, told the local media: “We have had representations from the Sikh community nationally and locally and we felt it was time to produce the khanda.
“We are very happy to be able to mark the sacrifices which have been made by Sikh soldiers who have fought and died in the British army.”
Resham Singh, the High Sheriff of Leicestershire, the first Sikh to hold the post, said he was delighted to hear of the new Poppy Appeal emblem.
He said this is “a wonderful way to celebrate the bravery of all the Sikh soldiers who have served the British army with such distinction”.
“It is no more than their bravery deserves. They have stood shoulder to shoulder with the British for years,” Reshham Singh said.
Last year’s Poppy Appeal, marking the Legion’s 90th birthday, raised £525,161 in Leicestershire alone.
It was the first time the appeal broke the £500,000 mark. The total was 10 per cent higher than the previous year’s £476,150.
October 12, 2011
Conversation about this article
1: Baldev Singh (Bradford, United Kingdom), October 12, 2011, 11:21 AM.
The Sikh insignia is so awesome that when you explain the significance of its elements, the reaction from young and old alike is 'wow' or 'wooaah' ... Well done, U.K.
2: Narinder Kaur (England), November 02, 2011, 5:27 PM.
I feel proud to hear that our Sikh brothers and sisters are finally going be remembered. It will be a great honor to wear the Khanda poppy!
3: Gurdial Singh (Avon, United Kingdom), November 13, 2011, 1:37 PM.
Well done for taking the step forward to remember our brave Sikh heroes, although it took over 60 years for someone to come up with it - Better late than never, though! I was watching a programme about this on rge Sikh Channel, and I applaud the Sikh who thought of the idea of the Khanda and Poppy.
4: Mandip Singh (London, U), November 03, 2013, 9:30 AM.
Follow the Khanda Poppy project and help raise awareness at www.khandapoppy.org