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Forli to pay homage to hundreds of Sikh soldiers who fought for Italy
Smaller events are organised at various places in Italy in recalling the valour and courage of Sikh soldiers who fought on an alien land.
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Prabhjot Paul Singh - Sat, 11, Jul 2026
- 17:08 EDT
- 49
Sikh soldiers memorial / Pictures by Baljeet Singh Chadha and Prithipal Singh
Come August 1 when hundreds of Italians will join Sikhs to pay glowing tributes to hundreds of Sikh soldiers who made the supreme sacrifices while fighting for the liberation of Italy.
“We have been organising such events to create an awareness among young Italians about the supreme sacrifices Sikh soldiers made to liberate Italy from the control of Germans during the World wars.
Also Read: Italians eulogise sacrifices made by Sikh soldiers during WWII
“Some old Italians, who survived the World Wars fondly remember the contribution of turbaned Sikh soldiers who travelled all the way to fight on an alien land for the independence of a country least known to them,” says Prithipal Singh, president of the World Sikh Shaheed Military & Tempio de Sikh Novellara.
He says the men and officers of 8 and 10 Divisions of Indian Army fought gallantly against the invaders and made supreme sacrifices. Those who attained martyrdom are remembered by both Italians and members of Sikh community who have made Italy their home, says Prithipal Singh.
Smaller events are organised at various places in Italy in recalling the valour and courage of Sikh soldiers who fought on an alien land in very trying and different environments, including extreme cold weather conditions. The Sikh soldiers maintained their identity and fought the war. Their stories of bravery and valour are remembered by those who survived the World Wars. Italians call them “great warriors in turbans”, adds Prithipal Singh.
The August 1 event would start with the recitation of slokas from sacred Sri Guru Granth Sahib, including Sri Sukhmani Sahib.
Meanwhile, a leading Canadian Sikh businessman, Baljeet Singh Chadha, and his wife, Mandeep (Roshi) Chadha, visited Forli in Italy last week.
He says that there is a plaque at Forli memorial that reads:
"Sikh community Italy
"We are today able to live with Honour, dignity, and independence. In the war, they fought and died for us, wearing the. turbans.
Sir Winston Churchill".
“We visited the Indian Army War Cemetery in Forlì, Italy.
352 Sikh soldiers gave their lives in intense fighting during the Second World War Allied campaign in 1944/1945 in Forli.
“Names of all Sikh soldiers are in the Register, but some names are engraved on a Memorial Wall and tomb stones, as most of them were cremated.
“We paid our respects by presenting flowers at the Sikh War Memorial sculpture, installed in 2011 by the Italian Sikh community. It is the first such memorial in Europe. A memorial service is held by Italian Sikhs every August in memory of these Sikh soldiers.
“A deeply moving and humbling moment of remembrance.
Lest we forget,” says Baljeet Singh Chadha. “There are 200,000 Sikhs and 60 Gurdwaras in Italy. Most Italian Sikhs work in dairy farms and cheese factories,” he concludes.
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