First-ever sculpture to honor WWI Indian soldiers in UK unveiled
What's the story
A new sculpture in honor of Indian soldiers who fought during World War I was unveiled today in Smethwick, England.
Guru Nanak Gurdwara Smethwick had commissioned the Lions of the Great War monument, which depicts a turbaned Sikh soldier, to honor the sacrifices made by millions of South Asian service personnel of all faiths who fought as part of the British Indian Army.
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Memorial for brave soldiers who fought for a foreign country
"We are very proud to be bringing this memorial to Smethwick High Street to honor the sacrifice of all those brave men who traveled thousands of miles to fight for a country that wasn't their own," said Jatinder Singh, President of Guru Nanak Gurdwara Smethwick.
Features
10-foot bronze statue unveiled to mark 100th WWI ending anniversary
The 10-foot bronze statue was unveiled in Smethwick High Street to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I in November 1918.
The new Lions of the Great War monument has been placed between the High Street and Tollhouse Way in the town of Smethwick as a collaboration between the Gurdwara and the local Sandwell Council.
Design
Inscriptions on statue stating the regiments of South Asian soldiers
Designed by local West Midlands artist Luke Perry, the statue stands on a granite plinth with inscriptions naming the regiments in which South Asian soldiers served during the Great War.
"When I realized more than 1.5 million Indian soldiers had been sent to World War I, I just couldn't understand why their contribution had been ignored for so long in this country," said Perry.
Tribute by PM
Theresa May pledged to adorn a Khadi-poppy to honor Indian-soldiers
On Wednesday, British Prime Minister Theresa May had paid tribute to the Indian soldiers who had fought as part of the British Indian Army.
"Over 74,000 soldiers came from undivided India and lost of their lives.11 of them even won the Victoria Cross for their outstanding bravery," she said.
She also pledged to adorn a Khadi poppy in honor of these soldiers.
Khadi poppy
Khadi poppy was launched for the first time this year
The Poppy Appeal is an annual fundraising campaign for war veterans held in the lead up to Armistice Day, with politicians and members of the public across the country wearing a cloth-based poppy on their lapels as a sign of respect for the war dead.
A Khadi version of the poppy was launched by Indian-origin peer Lord Jitesh Gadhia this year.