KUALA LUMPUR: Every year, the army’s Sikh officers and men seek divine blessings in conjunction with Army Day.
They seek blessings not just for themselves, but for all, diligently offering thanksgiving prayers for all races and creed without fail.
This year was no different as they prayed at the Pulapol Gurdawara at the Police Training Centre in Jalan Semarak, held in conjunction with the 86th Army Day.
Present were not only Army personnel, their wives and family members but also those from the police, the Royal Malaysian Navy, Royal Malaysian Air Force and Malaysian Armed Forces Sikh Veterans Association (MAFSVA).
The most senior serving officer present was the Army Academy’s Non-Commissioned Officers (NCO) College director in Port Dickson, Colonel Inderjit Singh, who is also the Army Sikh Officers Association president.
MAFSVA president Baldev Singh said the occasion was an important affair in the army’s calendar of events.
“The Lord’s blessings are always sought to keep our spirits up in defending our motherland, safeguarding its sovereignty and maintaining peace and harmony among the diversified races and religions.
“We are always thankful for the blessings from the Almighty for all He has done for us,” said Baldev.
He added that apart from the physical and mental wellness, the spiritual well-being of soldiers and their kin were pertinent in boosting morale and efficiency.
Despite their dwindling numbers, Baldev said the Sikh community was ever ready to have their youths serve in the army, which was regarded as the bedrock of the nation.
He recounted the services of prominent Sikh officers like Major-General (Rtd) Datuk Ranjit Singh Ramday, who had served as the commander of the army’s 1 Division commander in East Malaysia, and retired brigadier-generals Baljit Singh and Rajbans Singh.
Others present at the thanksgiving ceremony were lieutenant-colonels Jagjit Singh, who is the 7th Brigade’s chief of staff in Kluang, Johor; Army Provost Marshal Staff Officer I Gogisar Singh and his brother Royal Services Corps directorate Staff Officer 2 (doctrine) Gurmit Singh; and 74th battalion Royal Ordnance Corps Batu Cantonment depot, Kuala Lumpur commanding officer Amrit Singh.