Plans to build a Sikh war memorial in the centre of Derby have been given the go-ahead.

Derby City Council has granted planning permission for the National Sikh Holocaust and Shaheedi Memorial to be built in Pear Tree.

The 25ft (7.62m) high stone structure will pay tribute to millions of Sikhs killed in the two world wars and six holocausts in India and Pakistan.

Donations from Sikhs worldwide have helped fund the £125,000 project.

Construction will begin at a site next to the National Sikh Heritage Centre on Princes Street later this spring and should be complete early next year.

Gurpal Singh, who is helping to co-ordinate the project, said: “This will mean an awful lot to the Sikh community.

“Nothing like this has ever been built – not just in England but in the world.

“If we don’t remember our history, there probably won’t be a future.”

BBC News

Information on Sikh Memorial

Telegraph news Sikh Memorial 1012011

Senior curators from the Victoria & Albert Museum visited the National Sikh Museum recently to assist in providing further information regarding some of the Cannon and Artefacts on display.  Mrs Susan Stronge and Mr Neil Carleton spent a whole day visiting the both Museum and Gurdwara.  During this visit they were also shown the plans for more Museum displays, as well as plans for the Sikh Memorial currently awaiting building permission.    

Mr Ed Milliband MP pays a visit to the National Sikh Museum

The now leader of the Labour Party, Mr Ed Milliband paid a visit to the UK’s only National Sikh Museum, based here in Derby.  During his time, Mr Baljit Singh (National Sikh Museums Press Release Officer) provided Mr Milliband with a tour of the museums many Sikh artefacts and displays.

Mr Milliband quote:

Sikh hosts told me to remember Sikh principles: share resources, meditate and work hard.  Pretty good things to live by. “quote from Twitter”

 Frank Macardle is well know in the area due to his capacity as the Chief Executive of South Derbyshire Council as well as his high profile role as a director of the Football Association.

More: Frank Macardle

Flying Sikhs Screening

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On Saturday 8th May 2010, Squadron Leader Michelle Randall from the Royal Air Force Equality and Diversity Policy Team, paid the Museum and Gurdwara a visit.  Joining her for the day was her husband Major Chris Randall from the Headquarters of The Royal Logistical Corps.  The party were met and hosted by the National Sikh Museum’s Head of Operations, Mr Gurpal Singh and the Press Officer Mr Baljit Singh along with Flight Sergeant Chris Flack.  The visit was arranged so that Squadron Leader Randall could familiarise herself with the Museum, as well as the Sikhs and their connections with the Royal Air Force and Armed Forces in general, prior to briefing Senior Ranks of the RAF Personnel Policy Team.”

This visit further cements the connection between the Armed Forces and the proud traditions of the Sikhs who served and fought for this country so courageously.

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Here a SimpleViewer Flash gallery should be displayed. Click here to open the post in your browser to see the gallery.