Ranjit Singh “The Unity of Power”
Of all the European events to mark this sixtieth anniversary of Indian Independence, The Sikh Forum International dinner held in the historic Great Hall of Lincoln’s Inn, in the heart of the Inns of the Court in Central London, is arguably the most impressive.
With quiet dignity and understated glamour, the most eminent member of the armed forces, British and Indian, fifty members of the House of Lords and the Houses of Commons, security and Government chiefs, and top business executive met with top gentry from public life for a reception before gently taking their places in the Great Hall dining room, at tables laid out in an elegant fashion. Robed figures from legal history smiled from portraits hung all around the wall-panelled room at the colourful and magnificent garnered uniforms of the military guest, including the smart turban Sikhs and their beautiful wives.
There hasn’t been such a ‘ powerhouse’ gathering collected in one place at one time on any such occasion. The entire committee of The Sikh Forum International, led by President Sardar Ranjit Singh, OBE, which organised the evening, had invited the distinguished guests to witness the presentation of the Sikh of the Year award 2007 to Governor General JJ Singh, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, ADC, Chief of the Indian Army Staff. Among the A-list visitors were General Sir Richard Dannatt, KSB, CBE, MC, ADC, Lord Mohamed and Lady Shaida Sheikh, Viscount Slim, General Sir Mike Jackson (Ret’d) KCB, CBE, DSO, ADC, Assistant Metropolitan Police Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur CBE, QPM, Lord Karan Bilimoria, the Chief Executive of Cobra Beer, Lord John Stevens, Field Marshall Rt. Hon. Lord Inge (Ret’d) KG,GCB,DL, Sir Ian Blair QPM, MA (OXON), Commissioner Metropolitan Police and Mr Madhava Chandra, Minister, India House.
Here, in a hallowed bastion of power in Great Britain’s capital, where the most important British and Indian eminences were gathered to hear wise words and to laud the achievements of a great Sikh, Governor General JJ Singh, under the benign watchful eye of the Sikh Forum International President Ranjit Singh OBE, there an echo of the meetings held during the Sikh Empire of the 18th Century.
The accomplished bandsmen of the Coldstream Guards played lyrically for guests from an ornate panelled gallery. It added to the regal atmosphere. Also, very unusually fro an Asian function, the event ran to time quite punctually and speeches were short!
Sikh Forum International The President Ranjit Singh welcomed guests and spoke early about the work of the charity organisation which he chairs, set up in 1985, which contributes to community and has raised £5,000 to support Sikh children.
Sir Ian Blair, who, as Metropolitan Police Commissioner, is occasionally a headline target when London security issues are in the news, raised a smile from the audience when he adapted a quote and said,
“Rumours of my obituary are premature.” (He received much encouragement and support from guests too when he met them informally). Sir Ian’s words resonated with guest when he spoke of all of the countries of the Asian Sub-Continent and Britain “Being bound together in a web of historical DNA.
