Highly Distinguished Sikhs (Modern Era)

Highly Distinguished Sikhs (modern era)

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

• Dr.Manmohan Singh- Prime Minister of India, distinguished economist

• [[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.

• Baldev Singh - Indian independence movement leader

• Sardul Singh Caveeshar - Indian independence movement leader

• Pratap Singh Kairon - celebrated Sikh political leader, Indian independence movement leader

• Professor Piara Singh Gill - Internationally famous Nuclear scientist and worked on the American Nuclear Manhattan project.

• 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).

• General Joginder Jaswant Singh - the Chief of Army Staff of the Indian army.

• Dr.Narinder Singh Kapany - Internationally famous scientist and considered the Father of fiber optics.

• 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)

• Montek Singh Ahluwalia- Economist, architect of the modern Indian economy

• Shaheed Bhagat Singh- Young Freedom fighter leader of Hindustan Republican Association

• General Shahbeg Singh- Great Sikh Martyr of 20th Century

Sikhs fought in both World Wars, such as, fighting in disproportionately large numbers, approximately 10 fold, in both World War One and World War Two for the allies in the liberation of Europe and displaying exceptional gallantry and heroism. This resulted in them winning one of the highest per capita 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