The British Sikh Association hosted a dinner in honour of Sardar Tarlochan Singh, a Padma Bhushan, at the House of Lords, where he was presented with the Sikh Jewel Award for his outstanding services to the Sikh community, spanning many decades. Sardar Tarlochan Singh Ji was the former Chairman of the Minority Commission of India, a Member of Parliament, and an aide to the President of India, Sardar Jail Singh Ji. He is both a historian and an activist for Sikh rights in Parliament and outside Parliament. He’s a global Sikh icon respected worldwide for his outstanding contributions to the community. He has been instrumental in having a museum for Bhagat Singh and many other prominent Sikh leaders.
The General Secretary of the British Sikh Association, Mr Hardeep Singh, welcomed the guests to the Attlee Room in the House of Lords and praised the contribution of Sardar Tarlochan Singh Ji, thanking him for his outstanding services to the community.
The Chairman of the British Sikh Association, Lord Rami Ranger FRSA, said that he had grown up listening to Sardar Tarlochan Singh Ji, who has been a significant influence on his life and outlook. He admires his tenacity, commitment, and knowledge of Sikh history. He was grateful that he had been serving the community for many decades and had made a significant contribution to the Sikh faith through is deep knowledge of the Sikhism and community. Unfortunately, many so-called Sikh leaders do not even understand the vision and teachings of the Sikh faith and end up misleading the community with their limited knowledge about Sikhism, which is a universal faith designed to unite humanity and not to divide. He appealed to the Sikh leadership to continue working through cooperation and collaboration, rather than issuing ultimatums to anyone, especially the Indian Government. The Indian government has demonstrated its tremendous love and respect for the Sikh Gurus, Sahibzada, and the Sikh community for their contributions in saving ancient Indian civilisation through supreme sacrifices. We are part of a great country where Sikhs are respected, and the government of a secular nation celebrates the teachings of our Guru on a national and international scale.
Mrs Indy Aujla read the citation of Sardar Tarlochan Singh Ji and highlighted his tremendous contributions to India, Punjab, and the Sikh community.
The guest of Honour, Sardar Tarlochan Singh Ji, spoke about the Sikh history, highlighting that during the partition of India. had the Sikh decided to join Pakistan, then the Indian border would’ve been somewhere near Delhi and not at the Wagaha-Attari border where it presently is.
He also highlighted the tremendous sacrifices the Sikh Gurus and their followers made for India before. And he also condemned the attack on the Golden Temple, which was a miscalculation and ill-advised, and that the Prime Minister should have refused. He further highlighted the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, who ruled greater Punjab as a benevolent Ruler who treated everyone equally, regardless of their religion. His Tosha Khanna was the richest in the world, and efforts should be made to catalogue every item for the knowledge of our future generation.
The covetd Sikh Jewel Award was presented to Sardar Tarlochan Singh Ji by the Patron of the British Sikh Association, Mrs Jasbir Vohra.
Mr Tan Dhesi MP, praised Sardar Tarlochan Singh Ji for his immense contribution to the Sikh community. He said he has learnt a great deal about the Sikh history and heritage from Sardar Sahib. He wished him health and long life.
Lord Sahota also echoed the sentiment of Mr Tan Desi and praise commitment of Sardar Tarlochan Singh Ji for the Sikh community over many decade. He said he is a pillar of the community and as a result, the community is stronger.
Sardar Hardyal Singh Luther, Vice Chairman of the British Sikh Association, presented the vote of thanks. He thanked the British Sikh Association for hosting a historical event. He thanked the guests for their time and thanked the staff of the House of Lords for their service. He finally said that it is the duty of every Sikh to follow the teachings of the Sikh Gurus and live by their ideals, thereby making this world a better place.
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Great story, deserves all the accolade