LEST WE FORGET

UNSUNG WAR HEROES HONOURED

Commander Joginder Gei, 98.

As Canadians wear poppies this month to honour war veterans, many of them, including most Canadians of South Asian origin, are unaware of one startling fact.

Tell them that over a million Indian soldiers fought in the First World War, the largest force from the colonies and dominions, and the reaction is most likely going to be, “What? I had no idea”.

In For King And Another Country, Shrabani Basu chronicles the lives of some of these soldiers. Young men who travelled from remote villages in India to the harsh trenches of Flanders and France. They included a grand turbaned Maharaj raring to fight for the empire and an illiterate peasant who won the Victoria Cross; the sweeper who accompanied the troops only to die in an English hospital and the young pilot, barely out of school, who brought down German planes.

They fought with unquestioning valour in a war they could not comprehend, and went on to win the highest bravery awards. These are tales of courage and heroism, but their contribution is mostly forgotten.

To help bring to light the contributions of the next generation of soldiers and war veterans, the Consulate General of India has launched a new initiative, #VaristhYoddha, to felicitate ex-servicemen above the age of 90 years (residing in the jurisdiction of Consulate General of India, Toronto).

These ex-servicemen served in Indian Army, Navy or Air Force before migrating to Canada.

Keeping social distancing guidelines during COVID-19 and the health of the veterans in mind, Indian consul general in Toronto, Apoorva Srivastava, and her officials visited the veterans at their residence to felicitate them. Srivastava presented them with a memento and a shawl as a token of appreciation for their service to the nation. The family members of the veterans also had the opportunity to be part of the felicitation.

The following ex-servicemen were felicitated:

Commander Joginder Gei, 98. Born on August 14, 1922, he joined the then Royal Indian Navy in 1941. He served on board war ships during World War II around Indian Ocean as well in the Persian Gulf, mostly escorting oil tankers. After the war, he was sent to Royal Navy in UK for a year’s course. He retired in 1966 and migrated to Canada.

Major Darshan Singh Sanghera, 91.

Major Darshan Singh Sanghera, 91. He was born on September 1, 1929 and joined the Indian Army as sepoy on October 7, 1947, in the regiment of artillery. He has been instructor in the Gunnery at School at Deolali. He got his emergency commission in 1963, and has participated in the 1962, 1965 and 1971 wars before retiring in 1984. After his retirement from Indian Army he migrated to Canada.

Captain Bakshish Singh Randhawa, 98.

Captain Bakshish Singh Randhawa, 98. Born on August 5, 1922, Captain Randhawa joined the British Indian Army in 1940 in 14 Punjab (Nabha Akal) Regiment. He fought in WWII and also participated in the war of 1965. He retired in 1972.

Captain Mohinder Singh, 103, with India’s consul general in Toronto, Apoorva Srivastava.

Captain Mohinder Singh, 103. He was born on October 2, 1917 and joined Regiment of Artillery on March 30, 1948. He participated in the 1962, 1965 and 1971 wars against China and Pakistan. Retired in 1977, he migrated to Canada.

Subedar Major Pritam Singh Dhaliwal, 92.

Subedar Major Pritam Singh Dhaliwal, 92. He was born on May 1, 1928 and recruited into Bengal Sappers (engineers) on March 19, 1948. He served in Latah during the 1962 war with China and also took part in 1965 and 1971 wars with Pakistan. He was later transferred to Military Engineering Service (MES). He retired in 1976 and then served in educational institutes prior to migrating to Canada.

Subedar Gajjan Singh Mavi, 90

Subedar Gajjan Singh Mavi, 90. He was born on September 16, 1930. He joined the Army in 1949 in EME Corps and participated in  the1962, 1965 and 1971 wars. He left the Army in 1972.

Naib Subedar Gurdial Singh Grewal, 97 (right).

Naib Subedar Gurdial Singh Grewal, 97. Born on November 28, 1923, he joined the Army in 1941 in ASC. He participated in WWII in Burma theatre and was also part of the UN expeditionary force, and has served in Congo from 1962 to 1963. He participated in  the1965 war and then retired in 1969.

The Indian Consulate is working towards continuing this initiative and felicitating more ex-servicemen for their services to the nation.

• For King And Another Country by Shrabani Basu is published by Bloomsbury, £30.