Shaheed Sardar Nanak Singh.
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The Shaheed Nanak Singh Foundation and Mr Paul Uppal MP hosted the launch of ‘A Soldier’s General’ an autobiography of H.E. General J.J. Singh, Governor of Arunachal Pradesh, India and former Chief of the Indian Army at The Waldorf Hilton, Aldwych, London on Monday 25th June 2012.

The launch was attended by members of the British society and over 300 prominent members of the Indian diaspora in the United Kingdom. The Guest of honour was H.E. Dr Jaimini Bhagwati, Indian High Commissioner. Other guests included Members from both the Houses of Parliament including Colonel John Douglas Slim, 2nd Viscount Slim OBE, DL, FRGS; Lord Sheikh of Cornhill; Lord Tarsem King of West Bromwich; The Rt. Hon. Dominic Grieve QC MP, Attorney General for England and Wales; Mr Stephen Pound MP, Member of Parliament for Ealing North; Mr Richard Harrington MP, Member of Parliament for Watford; Mrs Seema Malhotra, Member of Parliament for Heston and Feltham; Mr. S.S. Sidhu, Minister Coordination at the High Commission of India ; Mr Samant Goel, Minister Consular at the High Commission of India; Lady Olga Maitland; Mr Henry Dallal ; Mr Ranjit Singh, President of the Sikh Forum Intl.; Mr. Richard Noble, the former holder of the ground speed record.

Colonel Aloke Dutt, the Master of Ceremonies for the night warmly welcomed the guests and introduced Mr Paul Uppal MP, Member of Parliament for Wolverhampton South to the audience who introduced General J.J. Singh and read his fascinating brief. He described the General’s accomplishments as a matter of pride for India and described India as a young country which had a troubled birth but had grown to become a beautiful and vibrant country, where people from many faiths and races live and work together and respect each other’s values.

Colonel Aloke Dutt then gave a small brief on ‘A Soldier’s General’ and the audience were shown an audio-visual presentation showing images of the General’s life in the Army and now as the Governor of Arunachal Pradesh. The presentation was followed by readings of excerpts of the book by Seerat Kaur, granddaughter of General JJ Singh ; Urvashi Kaur, daughter of the General and Col. Aloke Dutt. Their readings moved everyone present.

This was followed by a customary felicitation ceremony of Arunachal Pradesh, India. Those honoured by the General and Mrs Singh were Dr. Rami Ranger MBE, Lord Sheikh of Cornhill, Mr Paul Uppal MP and H.E. Dr Jaimini Bhagwati, Indian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.

H.E. Dr Jaimini Bhagwati, did the honours by releasing the book. Speaking about ‘The Soldier’s General’, he said that he was particularly moved by the General’s references to his father and grandfather, which he would cherish as it told a story of strong feelings about family. Dr Bhagwati commended the dedication of Gen JJ Singh for India and thanked him for his exemplary services. H.E. went on to say that he was delighted to see NRIs making their Mother India proud with their achievements and loyalty for their adopted countries.

Lord Sheikh of Cornhill patron of the Shaheed Nanak Singh Foundation, spoke about the aims and objectives of the Foundation and the vision of Shaheed Nanak Singh, that the unity of India was paramount if India was to progress in the world as a nation. He said that the ideals of the Shaheed of promoting religious tolerance have become even more important in our fractured world today. We either live in harmony or consume ourselves in hatred, simply in the name of religion. Lord Sheikh then praised the General for making India proud through his work and life.

This was followed by H.E. General J.J. Singh being presented with the ‘Soul of India’ Award for his services to Mother India by The Rt. Hon. Dominic Grieve QC MP, Attorney General for England and Wales, on behalf of the Shaheed Nanak Singh Foundation. The Attorney General said that it was a great pleasure to welcome the General and marked the occasion as an opportunity to reinforce the special links between the United Kingdom and India. He was pleased to see NRIs making a contribution in every walk of British life.

The General then gave an inspirational and in-depth talk on his tenure in the Indian Army from the time he started his career as a Maratha soldier to his time as the Chief of the Army, describing his autobiography as the story of a secular son of India hailing from a family with over a century’s service to the Army. The journey of a Sepoy’s son who became a Colonel and from a Colonel’s son who became a four star General and then the Chief of the illustrious Indian army.

He gave an account of a time when a journalist asked him how it felt becoming the first Sikh to be Chief of the Indian Army and his response was that he was Indian first and foremost. The General also spoke of his challenges in the Army such as being badly wounded, his postings to remote places, high profile missions and his dealings with the operation in Kargil. The General closed by quoting his Grandfathers words ‘When one’s path is righteous and the cause is just, one will always be crowned with success’. The General said that he wanted to see a cordial relationship developing between India, Pakistan as well as other neighbouring countries for the greater good and socio-economic empowerment of their people. He was particularly happy to see the relationship improving between India, Bangladesh and Pakistan. In his book he elaborates on his concept of an ‘iron fist and velvet glove’ while countering terrorism or insurgency, and the philosophy of a ‘warrior (for a just cause) and a winner’!

Colonel John Douglas Slim, 2nd Viscount Slim, OBE, DL, FRGS spoke of the camaraderie between soldiers where one would fight shoulder to shoulder to protect the country regardless of race, colour or religion. He added that a soldier understood that there was only God and described the General as having tremendous leadership qualities.

Mr Stephen Pound MP, Member of Parliament for Ealing North, praised the General for his accomplishments during his career and commended him particularly for his role in the Kargil conflict where he held the Line of Control together with his troops and as a result, did his country proud through his valiant service.

Ms Seema Malhotra MP, Member of Parliament for Heston and Feltham, thanked General J.J. Singh for writing such a unique and emotional story that was a matter of pride for not only Indians and people of the Indian diaspora, but the world at large. She stated that he had made an investment for the future of mankind.

The vote of thanks was given by the youngest son of Shaheed Nanak Singh Dr. Rami Ranger MBE who described his father as a visionary who could foretell the consequences of religious intolerance at the time of the breakup of India in 1947. He had warned the then leaders never to use race or religion to the detriment of fellow Indians for temporary gains which would result in a permanent loss for the nation. He was glad that his father had left a legacy for him to continue of “Honouring those who honour Mother India” India’s unity must come first, always and every time.

Speeches were followed by a book signing event where guests had a chance to greet, meet and speak to the author.

This book launch was followed by a delicious meal courtesy of Laguna banqueting.

The audio visual of the night was provided by Ritzy Music.

If you wish to purchase ‘A Soldier’s General’, a fascinate account of General’s life, please click here and buy your personal copy.

Please also forward this press release to your friends and family. Thank you.

Speech given by Colonel Aloke Dutt
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Speech given by Mrs Urvashi Kaur
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The Official Book Launch of 'A Soldier's General'
by H. E. Gen. J.J. Singh
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Speech given by H.E. Dr. Jaimini Bhagwati
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Speech given by Lord Sheikh
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The Rt. Hon. Dominic Grieve QC MP, presenting the
Soul of India Award to H.E. General J.J. Singh.
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Speech given by The Rt. Hon. Dominic Grieve QC MP
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Please click on the photographs to download high resolution images.

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