For the first time in free India, an Embassy (and that too of a major European country) organised an impressive function on the sprawling Embassy premises in Chanakyapuri, in honour of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the last sovereign ruler in India. On 15th February 2002, His Excellency Bernard de Montferrand, the Ambassador of France, hosted the function, attended by over 500 persons, for the ceremonial release of the book written by French scholar, Dr. Jean-Marie Lafond. This book: Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Lord of Five Rivers, encapsulates the life of the legendary Maharaja and the role of French Army Generals and other officers in his court. Mr Jagmohan, Union Minister for Tourism and Culture, released this book as well as another set of books produced by Guru Nanak Dev University. These are indeed translations of Dr. Lafont’s book in French, entitled France Connections with Sikh Kingdom. Sr. Tarlochan Singh, Vice Chairman, National Commission for Minorities who was instrumental in organising this function, as also in production of the books, thanked the Ambassador for this unique gesture, reviving the old tradition of the friendship of the French and the Sikhs in early 19th century.

Mr. Jagmohan agreed to implement the proposal given by Sr. Tarlochan Singh to organise an exhibition on Maharaja Ranjit Singh in Paris and also to hold a function in the tourist city of Saint-Tropez, which was the home town of General Allard who served the Maharaja of the Punjab.

A Report from Indian Express: There’s a lot common to the French and the Sikhs. And that top specially between Maharaja Ranjit Singh and the French. Dr Jean-Marie Lafont’s book Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Lord of Five Rivers was released at the French Ambassador’s residence recently.

Montferrand has traced similarity between Napoleon Bonaparte and the lion of Punjab vis-a-vis their meteorice rise to power and warfare techniques. "In fact, Bonaparte sent two of his generals to Ranjit Singh’s army," he said.

There were speeches by the author and the chief guest - minister for Tourism and Culture, Jagmohan. But by far the best speech was by Tarlochan Singh who said, how he first came to the French embassy in 1997 in search of information on the two French generals in Ranjit Singh’s army and how he was directed to Lafont who, incidentally, has written a couple of books on the subject.

Speeches apart, a martial arts demonstration by Shaheed Baba Deep Singh Akhara (Khalsa) was extraordinary. The performers, had the audience in nail biting suspense with their display of dangerous warfare techniques using swords, spears and knives. "It’s the first time that members of our community have had the pleasure of seeing a Punjabi folk art form bhangra, in Delhi," complimented Sr. Tarlochan Singh.

Birmingham - The well known Barrister, S. Balbir Singh, was honoured recently by the Sikh Community and Youth Service, at a special function. Prominent personalities, including councillors Gurdev Singh Manku, Chaman Lal, John Tyrrell, and S. Avtar Singh "Arpan", S. Satnam Singh, journalist, and Mrs. Ninjo Kaur Chauhan were present at this function. S. Dal Singh Dhesy presented him with a plaque of honour.

Barrister S. Balbir Singh, who belongs to village Lallian in Jalandhar district of Punjab, spent several years in Southall (Greater London) where he served as a volunteer at Southall Rights Law Centre and rendered free legal aid. Later, he moved to Birmingham where too he served as a volunteer with free legal aid centre. His brother, Ranjit Singh is also a noted barrister. His second brother, Baljit Singh is the Managing Director of a computer company. The family is well known for its philanthropic contribution to the community.

Courtesy: Dal Singh Dhesy, Chairman Sikh Community & Youth Service

348 Soho Road, Handsworth

Birmingham B21 9Ql

Email: scys_uk@yahoo.com

The Times News Network reports: Indo-Pak hostility has taken a toll of the Sikh pilgrimage to Pakistan. The government has decided that Sikh jathas traditionally travelling to Nankana Saheb in Pakistan on the occasion of Vaisakhi will not go this year.

Announcing the decision, the External Affairs spokesperson said, "It has been decided that there will be no official jatha visiting Pakistan this year during Vaisakhi. As the current restrictions do not allow travel to Pakistan by the road or rail route, no jathas will be travelling to that country."

The jathas were to have visited Pakistan on April 11 to 30.

Officials said apart from the restrictions the government’s decision calling off the jathas was made in view of the concerns arising out of the safety and security of Indian pilgrims in the context of atmosphere following the action of international community against terrorism.

The Indian Air Force has persuadedArjan Singh, its first Marshal ever, to don his new uniform without the formal Presidential investiture.

A distinguished war time Chief of Air Staff (from 1964 to 1969) 83-year old Arjan Singh was made Marshal on January 25, 2002.

A Presidential investitute ceremony scheduled for February 22 was cancelled due to the President’s indisposition. The event would be re-scheduled. But the IAF has since put its Marshal in uniform due to demands of protocol. The new uniform has Arjan Singh sporting five stars, and four stripes (above a band). He’s expected to wear it at all official functions.