British Army delegation honours Saragarhi Martyrs on 128th Anniversary, visits Ferozepur Blind Home for emotional tribute
Harish Monga
Ferozepur, November 06, 2025: A 13-member delegation from the British Army visited Ferozepur for the fifth time to commemorate the 128th anniversary of the Battle of Saragarhi, paying solemn tribute to the 21 Sikh soldiers whose extraordinary bravery against overwhelming odds remains etched in history. Led by Dr Gurinderpal Singh Josan, Chairman of the Saragarhi Foundation, the group included Maj Gen John Kendall, Lt Col Stephen Davies, Maj Munish Chauhan, Maj Hina Morjaria, Capt Kamaldeep Sandhu, WO1 Ashok Chauhan, WO2 Aniket Shah, WO2 Sarvjit Singh, WO2 Simranjit Singh, Sgt Jaspinderjit Singh, Cpl Ranjiv Sangwan, and Sqn Ldr Mandeep Kaur. Accompanying them was Gurbhej Singh Tibbi, Chairman of Verka Unit Ferozepur and co-convenor of the visit.
Earlier, the delegation was warmly welcomed by the Leader of Opposition in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Shri Pratap Singh Bajwa, and senior Congress leader i Raminder Singh Awla. Bajwa hailed the Battle of Saragarhi as a timeless symbol of the Sikh Regiment's unwavering courage, noting that the 21 soldiers' stand against thousands of foes has been immortalised in golden letters. "This ceremony reminds us that bravery transcends caste and religion—it is humanity's highest virtue," he said, describing the British Army's visit as a fitting homage to these historical heroes.
Following the commemoration, the delegation toured the Anglo-Sikh War Museum in Ferozepur, where they explored exhibits on the Sikh Wars of 1845-46 and 1848-49. British officers expressed deep admiration for the military heritage of Punjab, praising the discipline, dedication, and valour of Sikh soldiers.
Gurbhej Singh Tibbi emphasised that the anniversary is more than a historical milestone; it is a call to preserve heritage, uphold the martyrs' ideals, and inspire the youth. "It is our responsibility to keep their legacy alive," he added.
In a heartfelt second visit to the Blind Home Ferozepur—established in 1954 by Dr Sadhu Chand Vinayak—the delegation engaged emotionally with visually impaired residents. Moved by interactions, a few members were seen with tears in their eyes. The inmates showcased their talents through welcome songs, violin performances, Braille book readings, and a special presentation by two teenage blind sisters.