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Press Release — Southampton Sikh Memorial: statue design approved

  • 28 February 20211 March 2021
  • by Alan Mercel-Sanca

On Sunday 14th February, Valentines Day 2021 a virtual meeting was held under the auspices of One Community Hampshire and Dorset and the Council of Southampton Sikh Gurdwara’s, that witnessed other BAME community leads from across the South Coast and beyond, academic experts, and representatives of all three of the armed forces (Royal Navy, British Army, Royal Air Force), and the Chair of Hampshire FA.  You can read more about the sculptor, Luke Perry at https://www.ochd.org.uk/sikh-memorial/ Bookmark the page for OCHD will post updates there on the project.

The meeting saw the steering group approve the final state design and advise a preferred location that the sculptor had studied in detail for appropriateness.  In addition, enthusiastic approval was given for a multi-faith & beliefs, monoliths components, the importance of including narrative pan-South Asian, and broader BAME female community members that have made outstanding contributions to successful defence, and victory in the two world wars.

Accompanying the memorial once complete and formally unveiled, with our Armed Forces and Hampshire FA assisting on aspects of this historic event, will be educational resources, a book, and a documentary covering a number of history, society, and transcultural learning themes for the benefit of all generations and sections of society of local to national level educational value.

As such the statue to the legendary World War 1 hero, Hardit Singh Malik, the world’s first Royal Flying Corps (now the RAF) Sikh, turbaned fighter pilot, will be in fact, as everyone agreed emblematic for the broader Sikh contributions in the British armed forces of WW1 and WW2, with the greater narrative being told as has long been missing in British history, with Malik’s extraordinary accomplishments as a ‘touchstone’ for the whole Sikh community and other of its lesser-known heroes.


Some support quotes regarding this historic announcement: 

I am truly overwhelmed by the striking beauty and power of this exceptional design of the memorial, which captures the spirit and endeavour of this great RAF fighter pilot, Hardit Singh Malik so well.  It gives me great happiness to learn that the design is approved by the community, the Armed Forces, Hampshire FA, and academics. It is wonderful to see everyone coming together in support this historically important initiative with the creation of this wonderful public monument. I look forward to supporting the illustrious organisations and experts referred to, endeavours and collaboration to realise the fullest potential of this important project initiated by One Community Hampshire and Dorset in conjunction with the Council of Southampton Gurdwara’s.

Lord Rami Ranger CBE

Chairman of the British Sikh Association, and Chief Patron of One Community Hampshire and Dorset 

 

 I am absolutely delighted with the final design. This is an historic project involving all our BAME communities across the South Coast and beyond who are looking forward to supporting the City of Culture 2025, Southampton bid. This project certainly speaks for itself; strongly furthering Community Cohesion and Integration, and testifying to the major contribution our Sikh and broader ethnic minority communities to our country, as we live in such a vibrant multicultural society here in Southampton. The project will benefit both our current and future generations historically, and also our local economy. I am proud to be leading this project with our OCHD Team & experts, and the Council of Southampton Gurdwara’s.

Pritheepal Singh

CEO, Director One Community Hampshire and Dorset

 

‘This historic project brings huge significance to our communities supporting our society and is very much overdue. All Sikhs in Southampton feel very proud that the OCHD initiative in conjunction with the Council of Southampton Gurdwara’s, is going ahead, and we thank Southampton City Council for supporting this and thereby recognising the contribution made by our Sikh soldiers and veterans in the two World Wars.  We also are very proud that the world is not only going to be witnessing the Sikh memorial, but also in conjunction with this, those of other faiths and beliefs that also contributed so much in both those wars.

The Council of Southampton Gurdwara’s, Gurdwara Nanaksar, President Sukhdev Singh, Chairman Harjap Singh (also Co-Founder of OCHD); General Secretary, Saranjit Singh, Gurcharan Singh, Trustee (Singh Sabha Gurdwara); Vice President, Raspal Singh, General Secretary, Surinder Singh  (Gurdwara Tegh Bahardur Sahib); General Secretary, Tarsem Singh (Gurdwara Ravidas); and Bharpoor Singh (COSG, and OCHD Secretary)

 

 This much needed memorial will have truly national level educational and 21st Century multicultural and diverse communities respecting Britain, significance.  

This in particular because Hardit Singh Malik not only being the first Sikh community member and BAME pilot, but a major UK level pioneer for our BAME communities inclusion and equality, as his story involved successfully challenging the racial exclusion notions of the day, with his appointment as a pilot in the Royal Flying Corps. History will judge that Malik was a true giant in what he achieved in regard to ending race-related segregationist perspectives and practices in our British armed forces in the WW1 era.

Alan Mercel-Sanca

OCHD Co-Founder and Director, and CEO of the UK Nepal Friendship Society

 

I am honoured to be a part of this team. Monuments such as this are a vital part of the fight for equal representation. These artworks are long overdue thanks and recognition to the communities from around the world who have supported Britain in its past and continue to do so in vital roles not just in the armed forces but our health care and every aspect of modern life. We are a beautiful and diverse nation, our artworks as with all things should reflect this.

 Luke Perry

Commissioned Memorial Sculptor (Southampton)

 

The public statue of Hardit Singh Malik embodies the spirit of inclusivity — representing the will to ‘breaking the glass ceiling’ at the intersection of two World Wars and minority enrolment in the RAF: a significant feat for an Indian at the time.

Dr Sanjukta Ghosh

Artistic Director of SOAS’ South Asia Institute, One Community Hampshire and Dorset Community Strategic Engagement Advisor

 

Hampshire FA are honoured and proud to be involved in the Sikh Memorial Project in conjunction with One Community Hampshire and Dorset and the Council of Southampton Gurdwara’s. 

Through our clubs and leagues, we have the opportunity to raise awareness of the important role that Sikhs, and other diverse community soldiers played in both World Wars, and with the huge number of children playing football in our county, it will prove to be a vital education tool as well. The whole project fits very well with the Inclusion and Diversity work that Hampshire FA are undertaking.

James Pearson,

Chairman – Hampshire FA

 

I welcome this initiative by One Community Hampshire and Dorset in conjunction with the Council of Southampton Gurdwara’s to remember and recognise the considerable contribution made by members of the BAME community during times of national need.

 It is rightly fitting Hardit Malik Singh is the model for this lasting tribute to the bravery and dedication of the thousands from across the Commonwealth who gave of themselves. This is a memorial that will not only recognise the troops, but remember their families back home who endured the uncertainty of having loved ones serve so many miles away.

Simon Hayes

Former Hampshire Police & Crime Commissioner

 

“The Royal Navy’s Attract and Engagement Team are delighted to support One Community Hampshire & Dorset (OCHD) organisation and the Council of Southampton Gurdwara’s (Sikh Temples) initiative, to unveil a memorial that signifies the breaking down of cultural boundaries, both within the military and wider society, and that recognises the contribution of multiple faiths and communities in protecting our nation, whilst working collaboratively to ensure our liberty and freedom. 

We look forward to working with the OCHD in achieving its aim and to encouraging people of all faiths to embrace the opportunity to reflect, learn and educate themselves, and others, of the sacrifices made.”

Lt Cdr R J Haines RN | Attract & Engagement Team | Greater London and South East

 

The One Community Hampshire And Dorset memorial project dedicated to Hardit Malik Singh, is initiated in conjunction with the Council of Southampton Gurdwara’s, is a worthy and wonderful historical depiction of a WWI veteran.

From my region Headquarters South West, we the Army, would wish to support you whenever we are able.  We hope to build the narrative with you and share events that promote both the memorial and Hardit Malik Singh legacy, you have earmarked for 2023 and raise awareness of your Army. We hope to share a collaborative approach, embracing and embedding our relationship with you and the wider Sikh community, but also the other communities you closely work with.

Christopher Hart

Major C J P Hart BA(Hons) MBA | SO2 Engagement-Communities

 

Your Royal Air Force prides itself on its professional personnel and this is why we continue to work towards a fully diverse and Inclusive workforce to reflect the society we serve. To recognise the contributions made from all of our communities to the Armed Forces is important to us.

The sheer tenacity shown in the First and Second World Wars from the Men and Women of India is something to be remembered.  This is why the project of One Community Hampshire And Dorset in conjunction with the Council of Southampton Gurdwara’s is important and something we are eager to follow and support where we can.

As part of the Specialist Engagement Team we work very closely with our diverse communities UK wide, and projects like the Sikh Memorial Southampton allow not only a platform for Remembrance but to learn from our rich history.

A Khan MSt J, MSc, BA(Hons)

Sqn Ldr

Chief of Staff Special Engagement Team

RAF rep for the Armed Forces Muslim Association

 


 Further Support:

OCHD is also delighted to share that, through the greatly appreciated support of its Chair, Mr Russell Bahar, the Asian – Jewish Business Network (AJBN) is also supporting the memorial initiative because of the project’s vision and guiding multicultural and educational values and perspectives.

 


Next steps:

A communication has been provided to the Leader of Southampton City Council (receipt already acknowledged) regarding the final state, chosen design and advised placement, and including reference to the exceptional value the memorial will add to Southampton’s bid for City of Culture status in 2025.  OCHD is very pleased to announce that a meeting with Southampton City Council has been arranged for later this month.


 

End — Notes to the Editor:

For any further detail please contact OCHD CEO, Pritheepal Singh at pritheepal@ochd.org.uk  or phone: 07919 373 974.

OCHD Twitter: https://twitter.com/ochd_group?lang=en-gb

For more about OCHD, visit: www.ochd.org.uk

 

 

Asian – Jewish Business Network (AJBN) support for Sikh…

  • 23 February 2021
  • by Alan Mercel-Sanca

One Community Hampshire and Dorset is very pleased to announce news of Mr Russell Bahar, Founder of the Asian-Jewish Business Network (AJBN) support for the Sikh Memorial Southampton project.  This support and partnership is greatly appreciated.

In regard to the AJBN, Mr Bahar has provided in the two paragraphs below details of the Asian-Jewish Business Network inauguration event, held at the legendary Lords Cricket Ground:

‘The inaugural event of the Asian Jewish Business Network attracted more than 400 CEOs and other senior figures from the world of Law, Property, Insurance, Finance, Banking and Accountancy etc to the iconic Lord’s cricket ground in November 2019. Guests also heard from leading business figures from both communities including International Development Secretary Alok Sharma MP, Deputy Mayor of London for Business Rajesh Agrawal, Sir Lloyd Dorfman, Lord Bilimoria, Ron Kalifa and Faisal Islam.

The first gathering confirmed a clear appetite for this unique forum, described by Lord Popat as “well overdue”. So we are delighted to announce our return on the 15th November 2021, this time with a series of events aimed to further the AJBN’s goals of helping to share best practise and ultimately boost trade.’

Russell Bahar

OCHD is particularly pleased to share this news because of the passion Mr Bahar has shown for the Sikh Memorial Southampton project on behalf of the AJBN that will be assisting on awareness raising, and potential fundraising in conjunction with us, OCHD, and the Council of Southampton Gurdwara’s, for this historic, once in a lifetime project.  This partnering regarding the project is especially welcome as the project has, beyond the direct rectification of the record of history concerning our Sikh Community of Southampton, in and for the British roles and courage through the UK’ [and then British Empire] armed forces in the two World Wars, a further related major purpose.

This to celebrate the crucial role of our BAME communities in the British armed forces, and in the two World Wars.  This including that of members of our British/UK Jewish community; a fact often overlooked, but important to record especially given the ultimate outcome of WW2 whether fought in the Asian or the European & North African theatres and beyond, was revealing the full scale and the horror of the Holocaust.

 

OCHD in conjunction with the Council of Southampton Sikh…

  • 5 January 2021
  • by Alan Mercel-Sanca

We are delighted to share news that OCHD, in conjunction with the Council of Southampton Sikh Gurdwara’s, have provided New Year support to Southampton’s Homeless Community, cooking and delivering 400 meals, with this fresh delicious food being provided to homeless community members through the greatly appreciated support of three Southampton, homeless support charities

 

You can read more about the initiative in this Press Release OCHD and Council of Southampton Sikh Gurdwara’s Homeless support, and in the Daily Echo website news article by Dorset Echo Reporter Tom Orde: https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/18983916.charities-cook-400-meals-homeless/

Breakthrough development for our Sikh Communities of Southampton &…

  • 12 December 20205 January 2021
  • by Alan Mercel-Sanca

One Community Hampshire and Dorset (OCHD) is delighted to share the news of a major advance for all of our Sikh communities of Southampton and across the South Coast and Hampshire regarding announcement of news that the Office of the Leader of Southampton City Council (Cllr Christopher Hammond), on behalf of the City Council, have officially and enthusiastically supported establishing a memorial to the Sikh community members who served in our British Army in both World Wars,

 One Community Hampshire and Dorset’s Chief Patron, and Chairman of the British Sikh Association, Lord Rami Ranger CBE, and Founders & Directors (Lead Initiator/Founder, CEO, and Director Pritheepal Singh, OCHD Co-Founder and Director, Chairman of Gurdwara Nanaksar, and Chairman of the Council of Southampton Gurdwara’s, Harjap Singh, OCHD Co-Founder and Director, CEO of the UK Nepal Friendship Society, Alan Mercel-Sanca) provide the following joint statement, also joined by OCHD Community Strategic Engagement Advisor, SSAI Artistic Director SOAS University of London, Dr Sanjukta Ghosh:

We salute the decision of Southampton City Council to enthusiastically back the establishment of the Sikh Memorial.  The significance of this support extends far beyond Southampton itself.  We believe the decision will be welcomed all from the highest to grassroots levels that believe in the inclusive values of modern 2020’s multicultural, multiracial, diversity respecting Britain.  OCHD is excited about the opportunities creation of the memorial will bring for a new age of education provision on the topics of equality and diversity, from schools to universities.

Lord Rami Ranger CBE,  Pritheepal Singh, Harjap Singh, Alan Mercel-Sanca, and Dr Sanjukta Ghosh

OCHD is very pleased to in regard to this very important news provide the following: Sikh Memorial Press Release

 

News Coverage: News of the announcement has appeared on (about 13 minutes into this hyperlink) BBC News, and ITV News.

 

One Community Hampshire and Dorset has now launched a fundraising page for the Memorial and related educational work, on the top menu of this website (please bookbark and share the page as further updates will be made on it): https://www.ochd.org.uk/sikh-memorial/

For further information please bookmark the news page of OCHD’s website: https://www.ochd.org.uk/news/

 

 

Combined Hampshire & Dorset Community contribution Awards initiative:

  • 13 November 202013 November 2020
  • by Alan Mercel-Sanca

OCHD is pleased to announce that it will be developing an annual award mechanism to recognise community members providing outstanding contributions to Community development and a fully inclusive prejudice free
society.

Awards initiatives not only confer well deserved recognition to individuals, groups, organisations, businesses making an outstanding contribution to society, but also provide important platforms for consolidating and expanding positive change and evolution in important parts of our lives at community, locality, even national levels.

Please watch this space for more detail soon

OCHD welcomes Lord Rami Ranger of Mayfair CBE as…

  • 13 November 202013 November 2020
  • by Alan Mercel-Sanca

One Community Hampshire and Dorset is delighted to announce that Lord Rami Ranger of Mayfair CBE has become our organisation’s Chief Patron.  Lord Ranger brings a unique combination of humanity, tenacity, experience and expertise, to this very important and prestigious role where his insights will be most valuable in maximising to the full our OCHD vision and mission, giving valuable national level awareness, at Parliament level for OCHD’s work in service to our communities and broader society.  You can read more about Lord Rami at https://www.ochd.org.uk/patron/.

Multicultural Britain voice boosted through OCHD Lead Pritheepal Singh…

  • 11 November 202012 November 2020
  • by Alan Mercel-Sanca

We are delighted to share that OCHD Initiator and CEO Pritheepal Singh is a Conservative Friends of India ‘Champion’ for Hampshire and Dorset.  A Conservative Party affiliated organisation, Conservative Friends of India is unique in the UK for its special role in supporting meaningful furtherance of UK – India friendship and links, but also renowned for its role in supporting the UK Indian community.


This from business to other dimensions of the latter such as on seeing the importance of celebrating the UK Indian community at cultural and society levels to strengthening Multicultural, Diverse Communities supporting 2020s Britain, which in particular accords with the ethos of OCHD, which strongly supports all such support roles for all our BAME communities across Hampshire & Dorset. CF of India (which also includes as members current Cabinet ministers) is NOT a race/ethnicity exclusive group: many members are not of Indian or Sikh heritage, but indigenous British (English, etc.) and from other BAME ethnicities.  You can learn more about Conservative Friends of India at https://www.conservativefriendsofindia.co.uk/

OCHD support for DPCC Candidate businesses & crime Survey

  • 27 October 202027 October 2020
  • by Alan Mercel-Sanca

OCHD is requesting Dorset area Only BAME community businesses in the small business and self-employed entrepreneurs sector (convenience stores, off-licenses, restaurants, takeaways, taxi drivers) to participate in a Businesses & Crime survey by the Conservative Dorset Police & Crime Commissioner (DPCC) candidate, Mr David Sidwick.

This further to discussions with David on support for the proposed OCHD and UKNFS consultation, and the prospective PCC’s strong support for BAME community members in the small business and self-employed sectors on recording hate crimes and racially aggravated crime incidents that community members often encounter. This is with a view to interventions at policy and policing delivery levels on both types of crimes that frequently go unreported due to feelings that no support will be forthcoming for speaking up. David Sidwick’s survey can be accessed at https://www.sidwick4dorset.org.uk/form/dorset-business-crime-survey  and you can read more about his exciting prospectus at https://www.sidwick4dorset.org.uk/

This engagement and research initiative comes at an ideal time as One Community Hampshire and Dorset (OCHD) in conjunction with the UK Nepal Friendship Society (UKNFS) is proposing a Bournemouth Christchurch & Poole (BCP) Council area consultation with small businesses and the self-employed sector on crime and hate crime experiences faced by many BAME community members who are owners, staff, self-employed. Details on this will be provided before the end of the first week of November after a joint OCHD and UKNFS request to the BCP Council for this much needed consultation has been formally submitted — PLEASE WATCH THIS SPACE.

OCHD and The Royal British Legion and England FA…

  • 12 October 202012 October 2020
  • by Alan Mercel-Sanca

OCHD through two educational initiatives of our friends at the UK Nepal Friendship Society with both The Royal British Legion (TRBL) and England FA, have direct multicultural learning, anti-racism project development roles with both TRBL and the FA (Wembley), supporting meaningful change on BAME voice profiles.  This multicultural educational work conforms to the BLM movement impacts on clarifying BAME communities’ histories and proactive vey positive contribution to Britain and UK society.

OCHD through these two major multicultural education initiatives has projected our value as proactive direct BAME communities voice supporting, at effective national level with these major UK institutions. 

Please watch this space for further updates in the weeks ahead.

International partnership and OCHD community return:

  • 10 October 2020
  • by Alan Mercel-Sanca

OCHD as part of its self-funding dimension, to support and assist community return projects in South Asia and organisation work development, this in conjunction with our friends and partner organisation, the UK Nepal Friendship Society, are very pleased to announce that we are working with Mr Janmejay Singh Rajput and his JSRA team — supporting entrepreneurship and community welfare and development in India to assist on key aspects of realising the two goals above.

This very exciting British Isles (UK and Ireland) to India (and via the UK Nepal Friendship Society [UKNFS], to Nepal and Ireland) international dimension to OCHD arose through invitation by Mr Rajput to OCHD Initiator and CEO Pritheepal Singh and to Alan Mercel-Sanca as an OCHD founder and CEO of the UKNFS, to contribute their insights as two of the keynote speakers at a recent relevant major JSRA webinar. 

This reflecting JSRA’s national level prestigious work and outreach across India, the organisation fits exactly in terms of values and vision as that of OCHD (and the UKNFS) on a combination of nascent MSME and SME level business support and of direct socio-economic, community building and strengthening activity, including international dimensions in both these areas, around education (strong areas of expertise and in the public domain activity of both OCHD and the UKNFS)  and beyond. We also here record our deep appreciation to JSRA for their most kind subsequent provision of certificates of appreciation to us (example below). 

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