Hundreds of miles away from the Sikh-centric city of Birmingham, the British High Commission in Chandigarh held a meet to generate interest for Birmingham Commonwealth Games slated for July-August 2022.  With the opening of direct air services from Amritsar to Birmingham and the likelihood of such a service starting from Mohali airport, sports lovers from Punjab are likely to use this opportunity to visit Birmingham, after a tiresome two years of Covid-tardy time. Ludhiana-based travel enthusiasts Harjinder Singh Kukreja and his wife Harkirat Kaur Kukreja were present at the function to boost Punjab’s participation in the forthcoming event. WSN reports.

Presenting a painting of WWI Sikh soldiers to British Deputy High Commissioner to Chandigarh, Ms Caroline Rowett, Ludhiana-based entrepreneur and Sikh activist couple, Harkirat Kaur Kukreja and Harjinder Singh Kukreja revisited Sikh-British relations and recalled the historic role of the Sikh warriors for the imperialist forces during World War I.

The recreated version of the world-famous ‘oil on board’ portrait artwork depicting two Sikh soldiers — Risaldar Jagat Singh (12th Cavalry) and Risaldar Man Singh (21st Cavalary) —elegantly posing for László at his studio, dressed in their Army uniforms and Sikh turbans was well-received by the official representative of the British government.

Reportedly, the British Deputy High Commissioner to Chandigarh, Ms Caroline Rowett told Kukreja, “It is an honour to receive this painting as it is very relevant to the Punjab region where I represent the UK because it is these men of the land of Punjab who sacrificed their lives for the protection of the oppressed and the helpless.”

“I am particularly proud to be associated with this event as Birmingham is home to a huge Sikh diaspora and an overwhelming Punjabi-speaking population which has now made it their second home.”

Speaking to WSN, Harjinder Singh Kukreja said, “Punjabis must maintain a live relationship with Britain as we have a strong historic connection. I am particularly proud to be associated with this event as Birmingham is home to a huge Sikh diaspora and an overwhelming Punjabi-speaking population which has now made it their second home.”

My wife @HarkiratKukreja & I presented an artwork depicting two World War-I Sikh soldiers originally painted in 1916 by Hungarian artist, Philip de László to @UKinChandigarh’s Dy. High Commissioner, Caroline Rowett at an event hosted by @VisitBritainIN to promote @birminghamcg22 pic.twitter.com/P9ARDSdWO1

— Harjinder Singh Kukreja 🇺🇦 (@SinghLions) February 25, 2022

“It is particularly significant that VisitBritain is holding this event in Chandigarh and in the years to come, we will have a VisitPunjab event in Birmingham and the roles will happily be reversed.”

Explaining the significance of the painting to the Deputy High Commissioner of Britain, Harkirat Kaur remarked, “This painting will symbolise the unique and close connection between the UK and Punjab. It will be a reminder to visiting dignitaries to cherish the sons of Punjab who laid their lives fighting in the World Wars.”

This is a new phase of the Punjab-Britain tourism boost. Accompanied with ease of travel, it is likely to get an overwhelming response.