Saragarhi Commemoration and Book Launch

Saragarhi Commemoration and Book Launching Ceremony

Chief Guest: Gen. J.J. Singh

Guest of Honour:
* Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh Ji
* Delegate from British Army

Award of Honor: Families of the 21 Sikhs of Saragharhi.

Valour of 21 soldiers at Saragarhi (Commemoration)

IFA from the very beginning has been instrumental in honouring the brave who without caring for their lives sacrificed them at the altar of their country.

Last year only 'Sikh of the Year' award ceremony was conducted. This year on 11th September a programme dedicated to 'The Sikh Soldiers of Saragarhi' was organized at IFA. The chief guest was Ex. Army Chief General Joginder Jaswant Singh, Brig Mark Abraham & delegates from the British army.

Saragarhi Battle was a unique example of valour and courage. It was fought between 21 soldiers and 10,000 Afghan Pashtuns. It continued for 7 Hours and caused disproportionate number of casualties to attacking force and ultimately sacrificed their lives. During the programme students from IFA presented Gatka, Sikh martial art which was highly applauded.

A special questions answer session was organized by Capt. Jagjit Singh, Corporal Harpreet Kaur, Pte. Jatinderbir Singh. Students of IFA were really excited to get authentic information from them. Ex. Jathedar of Akaal Takhat Prof. Manjit Singh and present Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh highly applauded the efforts of IFA to commemorate the Martyrs of Saragarhi function and congratulated the Chairman S. Jagbir Singh for his relentless efforts in this regard.

Students interacted with the British delegates and with the descendants of Saragarhi Soldiers. The book 'Saragarhi' written by S. Gurinderpal Singh was launched at this function and it gives a vivid account of the Battle. The chairman IFA, S. Jagbir Singh welcomed General J.J Singh,all the Army officers and the descendants of Saragarhi soldiers. He stressed that the sacrifices made by the Sikh Regiment should be valued in future too.

Brig Mark Abraham OBE, Lt Col Simon Colyer ( Military Adviser), Lt Col John Kendall, Capt. Jagjit Singh Marwaha, WO1 Ashok Chauhan MBE, Cpl Harpreet Kaur, LCpl Singh Gurpal, Pte Kaur Dhaliwal AR, Pte Jatinder Singh Dhaliwal were specially thanked by the Chairman of IFA.