The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Mike O'Brien) :

I, too, welcome the debate. I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Hayes and Harlington (Mr. McDonnell) on securing it and on being elected as founding chairman of the all-party Punjabi group. I note his use of the word "Punjabi" and I shall certainly ensure that it is used in documents. I congratulate the Punjabi community, in particular the Sikh community from the Punjab, on the 300th anniversary of the Khalsa. I have attended several celebrations of the anniversary, including some in my constituency. They were important to the whole community and were enjoyed not only by the Sikh community, but by many others who attended them.

There are many Punjabis in Britain, some of whom are Hindus, some of whom, are Muslim, although the majority are from the Sikh community. Each community makes an enormous contribution to our country. As a Minister, may I, on behalf of the Government, publicly thank the Punjabi community for their contribution to Britain? We are a multicultural society and we are stronger because of that. Our culture is more diverse and more enjoyable. Our trade links are more varied; our ability to take a wider cultural perspective is enhanced greatly by the economic and social potential which comes from the Punjabi community. That is why cultural diversity is not just about having the right moral perspective on issues relating to multiculturalism; it is also good business for Britain. It is about getting right the sort of society that we can become.

From then on, till today, The Sikh Forum, UK has been a forceful voice for the Sikhs. It has promoted interests, culture and traditions of those having faith in principles enshrined in the Guru Granth Sahib contain ing preaching's of the Sikh Gurus, Muslim Sufis and Hindu Bhaktas. It has raised issues, which concern Sikhs nationally and internationally.

On many occasions the President of The Sikh Forum, UK has earnestly pressed the Indian political leader ship through the Indian High Commission in UK to probe the 1984 riots by independent international organisations. In a recent development in which the French Government banned turbans and other articles of faith. Ranjit Singh, OBE, the President of The Sikh Forum. UK actively urged upon the French Government to stand by their commitment to respect different cultural and ethnic identities. Guru Nanak's birthday was celebrated in the year 2001 with great fervour and dedication, which was attended by many prominent personalities drawn from various institutions of UK. The Sikh Forum, UK is committed to supporting UK Sikhs in achieving highest levels among the intellectual, political and religious leadership of the British society.

The Sikh Forum, UK works closely with important lead ers and organisations of the United Kingdom and India. Being a compassionate Forum, it constantly supports The Great Ormand Street Hospital for Sick Children. It has and intends to further support the efforts of deserving charities such as ETHIOPIA AID, OXFAM, SAVE THE CHILDREN. SHELTER. UNICEF, HELP THE AGED, CHILDREN WITH LEUKAEMIA, AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL, POPULATION CONCERN and ACTION AID to name a few.

What an officer and a gentleman!

In this time and era, we have very few real-life heroes. That is why when we lose one, the sense of personal bereavement is inescapable. Lt-Gen Jagjit Singh Aurora was one such and the outpouring of emotions over his demise has, understandably, a pan-India sweep to it. After all, the black and white picture of Pakistani General AAK Niazi surrendering, along with over 90,000 soldiers, before him during the war for liberation of Bangladesh in 1971 is etched in every Indian’s heart in a million vibrant colours. His chief, Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, has paid him the ultimate compliment, when he said: “While Jaggi did all the work, I got the baton (of the Field Marshal)”. General Aurora would have protested strongly over this modesty of the other grand old soldier, but it is a fact that the Bangladesh victory owed a lot to him. Instead of a frontal attack, General Aurora planned a strategy of leaving the highways to the well-entrenched Pakistanis and pounding their flanks. This brilliant battle plan of the “thinking General” paid rich dividends, allowing India to post an authentic victory in a long long time.