HOW EUROPE IS INDEBTED TO THE SIKHS ? - Global Sikh Studies

Since 1998 every year on May 5, the Libration Day of Holland, Sikhs
from across Europe lay Krans at the National Monument of Holland .
From the deep of my heart, I am sincerely thankful to :
o Mr Dominiek Dendooven, co-ordinator of the documentry
centre, leper for opening the welcome door for the Sikhs to the
historical city of leper where the Sikhs fought two battles
during WW-I. Sikhs throughout the world admire and salute
Mr. Dominiek for his tireless services to the community.
o Mr Piet Chiliens Director of In Flanders Field Meuseum, leper
for preserving and displaying the photographs of the Sikh
soldiers with record, letters and a full human size photo of
Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala with Belgium Generals.
Model of Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple) is also on display.
o Mr Luc Dehaene, Mayor of leper for receiving and honouring
the Sikh delegates in the town hall of leper and at Menon Gate
the National Monument of Belgium.
o Mr Paul Brijne, Governor of Flanders Province for honouring
the living Sikh soldiers of WW-IT and prominent Sikh leaders
throughout the whole world.
o Mr Piet Brijne secretary of leper city in organizing special
function in the memory of Sikh Soldiers. Sepoy Maluk Singh
of Sirsa 15th Ludhiana, the first Sikh victim of Gas Attack was
remembered at Menon Gate on 26th April 1995. Thousands
attended the ceremony.
o Mr Jeremy Gee OBE, Director of Northern Europe Area,
Commonwealth War Graves Commission for providing the
database of the Sikh solider and the important role played by
the Sikh soldiers in WW-I.
o Mr. Michel Vansuyt, President, West Vlaamse Gidsenkring,
Belgium (Guide) a great admirer of the Sikhs, for showing me
all the Samaadks (Graves) of the Sikh Soldiers in Belgium and
France.
o Mr. & Mrs. Mevrouw Peter van Lindt, spokesman for the
Belgium Sikhs, Hasselt, Belgium.
o Dr Harjinder Singh Dilgeer, a prominent Sikh Scholar for
editing and writing a chapter for this book.
o SJan'nder Singh & Sardarni Rita Singh of Den Haag, SJagdish
Singh