British Empire and WW1
The art installation, called ‘Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red’, features 888,246 ceramic poppies – one for every British and Commonwealth soldier who died during the conflict.
The poppies have been laid throughout the summer by creator Paul Cummins and a team of volunteers. Further pictures: http://www.demotix.com/news/5441679/ceramic-poppies-fill-tower-london-moat-commemorate-wwi#media-5441668
The Hindu published ‘A European war, fought by India by
If World War I resonates in such a weak, confused, and even negative way with Europeans, it is little wonder that young Africans or Indians see even smaller stakes in this year’s centenary ceremonies. This is why it is crucial to understand the war’s global scope and the role played by the British Empire and Commonwealth.
Read full article: http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/a-european-war-fought-by-india/article6281135.ece?homepage=true
The News on Sunday ‘From the war front’ by Mahmood Awan
An account of the Punjabi soldiers who became the cannon fodder of the colonising power in World War I, and the mournful songs and literature this episode in history generated in its wake.
Read full article: http://tns.thenews.com.pk/punjabi-soldiers-on-the-war-front/#.U-CbG0gpOHl
‘Empire, Faith & War: The Sikhs and World War One’
The exhibition will be held at the Brunei Gallery at the School of Oriental & African Studies’ (SOAS), Russell Square, from 9 July to 28 September, and is the launch event of a three year project to reveal the untold story of how one of the world’s smallest communities played a disproportionately large role in the ‘war to end all wars’.
What Indian soldiers in the First World War wrote home about by David Omissi
To commemorate the centenary of India’s service in the First World War, the British historian David Omissi collected the letters of Indian soldiers away from home in Indian Voices of the Great War, published this year by Penguin. These eloquent letters offer a poignant glimpse into the lives of these Indian soldiers, whom history forgot.
Read full article: http://www.caravanmagazine.in/vantage/what-indian-soldiers-first-world-war-wrote-home-about
University of Cambridge and SGPC colloboration
21 July 2009
After signing historic Memorandum of Understanding between the University of Cambridge and SGPC Mr Michael O’Sullivan Director Cambridge Commonwealth Trust exchanging papers with Jatherdar Avtar Singh President SGPC. In the middle is Professor Alison Richard the Vice Chancellor of the University. The collaboration will benefit East Punjabi students to work on MPhiland PhD degrees in various disciplines. It is hoped that the scheme will offer five scholarships annum.
Cambridge press release: http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/news/dp/2009072205
Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Hounslow: http://www.sgss.org/events/2009/2009AmritsarUoC.htm
PHOTO by Amarjit Chandan
Punjab Research Group 
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