Highly Distinguished Sikhs (Modern Era)

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Highly Distinguished Sikhs (modern era)


Sikhs in the modern era which have made contributions at the international or world level include:

  • Master Tara Singh - celebrated Sikh hero leader and famous Sikh Indian independence movement leader
  • Khushwant Singh- celebrated author of all times, known to speak his mind and not give a damn for what others think about him.
  • Arjan Singh- Marshal of the Indian Air Force, Former Chief of the Air Force Staff, first and only five star rank officer of the Indian Air Force (the highest rank ever given in the history of the Indian Air force).


  • Milkha Singh (the flying Sikh) - Winner of Padma Shri, 1960 Olympic Games 400m record holder at Rome Olympics - (Olympic record). Gold medal Champion 1958 Commonwealth Games, Gold medal Asian Games 1958 (200 & 400 meters) and Gold medal Asian Games 1962 (200 meters)


Sikhs fought in both World Wars, fighting in disproportionately large numbers, approximately 10 fold in British Colonial units, in both World War I and World War II for the allies in the liberation of Europe while displaying exceptional gallantry and heroism. This resulted in them winning one of the highest, if not the highest, number of Victoria crosses for bravery, heroism and gallantry.


  1. Captain Ishar Singh - The first Sikh to receive the Victoria Cross.
  1. Lance Karam Singh - awarded the Military Medal in World War II and awarded Param Vir Chakra (the second person to receive Param Vir Chakra).
  1. Joginder Singh (Subedar) - awarded Param Vir Chakra.
  1. Captain Gurbachan Singh Salaria - awarded Param Vir Chakra.
  1. Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon - awarded Param Vir Chakra (the only officer of the Indian Air Force to be awarded Param Vir Chakra).
  1. Nand Singh - awarded the Victoria Cross.
  1. Gian Singh - awarded the Victoria Cross.
  1. Lieutenant Karamjit Singh Judge - awarded the Victoria Cross.
  1. Major Havildar Parkash Singh - awarded the Victoria Cross.
  1. Bana Singh - awarded the Param Vir Chakra.
  1. Lt.General Jagjit Singh Aurora - Lt. General Jagjit Singh Aurora supervised the surrender of more than 90,000 Pakistani soldiers in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) during the 1971 India-Pakistan war.