Sikhs in Britain

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Sikhs have added a little something in their own special way to Britain. In Gravesend, a street owned by the ‘Guru Nanak Gurdwara,’ was named, ‘Khalsa Avenue,’ whilst in Coventry, Joginder Singh Nagra was responsible for introducing Punjabi GCSE’s and A’Levels to the National Curriculum, and in Scotland, Lord Iqbal Singh was largely responsible for the introduction of the ‘Singh Tartan’ commissioning the renowned Lochcarron firm, who had designed the Princess Diana Tartan, in Galashiels. The ancient Sikh martial art of ‘Gatka’ was first introduced to Britain in the mid 1980’s, becoming an internationally known and recognised martial art. Amongst the longest established Sikh martial arts team in Britain is the ‘Baba Fateh Singh Gatka Akhara,’ founded in 1992, who featured in the prestigious ‘Seni 2004’ martial arts show at Birmingham’s NEC. The team led by its chief instructor Uptej Singh, has toured the world and at home has entertained the Prince of Wales as well as participating at the Lord Mayor’s Parade. In 2002 they performed at the Queen’s Golden Jubilee procession at the Pall Mall and are looking to lead the London 2012 Olympics opening ceremony.

The involvement of Sikhs in mainstream television and cinema had been slow in the ascendancy. But the 1990’s saw comics such as Kulvinder Ghir in the BBC‘s hit ‘Goodness Gracious Me’ and stand-up Scotsman comedian Hardeep Kohli on terrestrial television. Behind the scenes, Sikh women have been flying the flag in production and direction. Southall-bred Gurinder Chadha began her career as a BBC news reporter with her first break in directing the Channel 4 documentary ‘I’m British But…’ in 1989, and in 1994 her first feature film ‘Bhaji On The Beach’ received a BAFTA Nomination and won the Evening Standard British Film Award for ‘Best Newcomer to British Cinema’. In 1995 she directed ‘Rich Deceiver,’ a two-part drama for the BBC, but her biggest success came with ‘Bend It Like Beckham’ and a musical based on Jane Austen’s ‘Pride And Prejudice’ with a Bollywood twist, starring Aishwarya Rai.

Fauja Singh came to Britain in 1992 from Jallandhar to live with his son. The great grandfather became homesick and turned his attentions to running. Fauja Singh lined up for his first Flora London Marathon at the age of 89 in 2000, which he completed in 6 hours and 54 minutes, clocking the same time the following year and set a world record for a 90 year old. Fauja has become the oldest runner in the London Marathon. Fauja Singh is the holder of eleven world records at distances up to a marathon. He has run seven Marathon races in London, and also in New York and Toronto raising thousands for various charities (including B.L.I.S.S) and promoting Sikh culture around the world. Fauja Singh’s fame has even knocked off David Beckham as Adidas’s new poster boy. In 2004, 94 year old Fauja Singh was signed up for their advertising campaign ‘Impossible is Nothing ‘.

Nottinghamshire County cricket player Mudhsuden ‘Monty’ Panesar became the first Sikh to represent England at international level. The left-arm spinner’s first scalp in his debut test match was that of legendary Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar. The Luton born bowler has fast established himself as a regular in the England team, filling the gap of a much yearned for quality spin bowler in the squad.

Sikhs have diversified into many fields in Britain, earlier excelling greatly in the building trade and motor mechanics. The spirit of the Sikhs has shown how they have bettered themselves at every step, many entering into business enterprise with long established families moving on from retail, particularly grocery, to becoming landlords and property investors.

The new British-born generations have been encouraged within the arena of education and academia, competing for jobs at the highest level. Thus proving to be one of the most successful and productive communities in Britain.

(extracts from Sikhs in Britain, by Peter Bance, Suttons, 2007)