WSN presents a photo-essay by Sikh archivist Bhupinder Singh Holland of the recent Amsterdam event where tributes were paid to those who died fighting in World War II.

King Willem-Alexander of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Mr. Mark Rutte- the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, other Ministers, Military Generals, the Mayor of Amsterdam, families of the martyrs and many Dutch people remembered and paid floral tributes at the National Monument, Dam Square, Amsterdam early this month on 4 May 2019. Two minutes silence was observed throughout  the country at 20:00 hours.

On behalf of the hundreds of Sikhs who laid down their lives as part of the British-Indian imperialist army and who played a significant role in protecting the Dutch in the World War II, especially in Indonesia, Bhupinder Singh Holland, Jagvir Singh, Kirandeep Kaur and Manpreet Kaur laid the flowers as a mark of respect for their forefather’s participation and contribution.

Netherlands recognises the contribution of the Sikh soldiers in Europe and Indonesia as many Europeans including the Dutch Citizens were rescued by the Sikh soldiers during and after World War II.

Dutch Sikhs, who are officially invited to pay tribute by the Dutch government, also joined the hundreds of Dutch people, have been doing their bit to keep memories alive since 1999.

It is estimated that as many as 250,000 Dutch people lost their lives in World War II. Many of these died to preserve peace mission in other parts of the world.

FLORAL TRIBUTES PHOTO GALLERY: