London- Flight Lieutenant Arshdeep Singh, who recently attained a senior rank in the United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force , visited London along with his parents to meet Jathedar Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Singh Sahib Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj. Chairman of the UK-based Sikh Defence Network, S. Pritpal Singh, was also present during the meeting.
During the interaction, Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj congratulated Arshdeep Singh on his achievement and wished him continued success in his service, while encouraging him to further strengthen and promote the Sikh identity. He also discussed with Pritpal Singh and Arshdeep Singh the participation of Sikhs in the UK’s armed forces and the challenges they face.
He said the Sikh Defence Network should work to encourage Sikhs living in the UK to join the armed forces in greater numbers, following the legacy and traditions established by our ancestors.
Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj also encouraged Arshdeep Singh to maintain Sabat Soorat (with unshorn hair) Sikh identity. Arshdeep Singh said he wished to understand and adopt Sikh values and principles more deeply. However, he explained that Sikh personnel serving as flight lieutenants are required to trim their beards during flying operations, as this is part of the Royal Air Force’s technical requirements.
Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj asked Pritpal Singh to take up the matter with senior officials of the UK armed forces and air force and make them more aware of the significance of unshorn hair (Kes) in Sikhi and its importance to Sikh identity.
Pritpal Singh said the Sikh Defence Network was consistently engaging with the UK government to safeguard Sikh interests and would also work towards resolving the requirement for Sikh personnel to trim their beards to wear masks during flight operations.
Citing the example of Marshal of the Indian Air Force and its third Chief, S. Arjan Singh, Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj inspired Arshdeep Singh to follow his example. He pointed out that Air Marshal S. Arjan Singh had successfully completed hundreds of flight operations while maintaining his unshorn Sikh identity, demonstrating that a beard does not necessarily obstruct flight operations.
He urged the UK-based Sikh Defence Network to take up the issue seriously and work towards a resolution. He said Sikhs had served with distinction in the two World Wars and several other wars while maintaining their unshorn identity. Therefore, making the trimming of beard hair a requirement for air force operations was unreasonable.
The Jathedar further said that such conditions could discourage talented Sikh youth from joining the armed forces. Governments should, therefore, engage in dialogue with the Sikh community and adopt a constructive and sensitive approach to remove such requirements while respecting religious values.
Arshdeep Singh and Pritpal Singh also presented Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj with two commemorative photographs relating to Sikhs and other Indian officers who served in the British armed forces.
Amid the occasion of Remembrance Day in the UK, observed to honour the efforts, achievements and sacrifices of those who served in past wars, the Sikh Defence Network presented Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj with a specially designed commemorative emblem featuring a poppy flower over the Khanda symbol. The red poppy flower is used as a symbol of remembrance in the UK for those who lost their lives or served with distinction in wars, which also include a large number of Sikh soldiers. The network also presented the Jathedar with a special Gutka Sahib prepared for Sikh military personnel.
Thereafter, Flight Lieutenant Arshdeep Singh was honoured with a Siropa (robe of honour) in recognition of his achievement. The Siropa was presented by S. Jaskaran Singh, Media Adviser at the Secretariat of Sri Akal Takht Sahib.
Remembrance Day in the United Kingdom honours the efforts, achievements and sacrifices of those who fought bravely in past wars. The main observance takes place on the second Sunday of November, while two minutes of silence are also observed on November 11 to pay tribute to those who lost their lives and made sacrifices in wars.
Another Sikh Officer Honoured
In London, Sabat Soorat Sikh officer, Flight Lieutenant Jaspal Singh Sidhu, who is serving as the Aerosystems Engineering Officer in the UK’s Royal Air Force, also met Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj. They discussed several important issues concerning Sikh participation in the armed forces and the Sikh teachings.
Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj honoured Flight Lieutenant Jaspal Singh Sidhu with a Siropa in recognition of his achievements.
The Jathedar said both Sikh personnel serving in the UK’s Royal Air Force, Jaspal Singh Sidhu and Arshdeep Singh, were sources of inspiration for Sikh youth across the world. He said young people should follow their example by pursuing higher education and working hard to attain senior positions in different fields, bringing pride and honour to the entire Guru Khalsa Panth.
On this occasion, S. Arshdeep Singh’s parents, S. Jagdeep Singh and Gagandeep Kaur, his brother Agamdeep Singh, Media Adviser S. Jaskaran Singh, S. Sukhdeep Singh Randhawa and S. Ajit Singh Randhawa were present.