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A tradition continues in Canada
For Surrey’s Sikh community, the formation of the Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corp unit 3300 was historic.
What is especially thrilling for them will be to see their sons and daughters, who make up the newest members of the Army Cadet League of Canada, march in the Surrey Vaisakhi Parade this Saturday
Put together by the Friends of the Sikh Cadet Society, the RCACC 3300 is the first cadet corps unit sponsored by the Sikh community.
“This is very rewarding and I hope what we have achieved can be used as a blueprint to increase the diversity in Canada’s cadet corps,” said Harbinder Singh Sewak, who initiated the program and is now the chairman of The Friends of the Sikh Cadet Society.
Sewak’s idea to form a cadet corps supported by Sikhs came after he arranged for the military to take part in Surrey’s mammoth Vaisakhi celebrations.
In November 2010, Sewak arranged an event where more than 2,000 devotees packed Surrey’s largest Sikh temple, Dasmesh Darbar, to honour members of the Canadian Armed Forces in a poignant tribute to mark Remembrance Day.
The event was the first of its kind held in a British Columbia Sikh temple and congregation members also collected and presented $2,500 in donations to military officials.
The following year, the temple hosted officials from the HMCS Algonquin.
This led to the Canadian military participating in the Surrey Vaisakhi parade with a Maritime Forces Pacific’s ‘Navy Display Bus’, two military vehicles and six members from the British Columbia Regiment leading the procession through the streets of Surrey.
That was topped off with an aerial fly-past conducted by 442 Squadron, the Comox-based Search and Rescue Squadron.
“That was very special not only to me but to all Sikhs because having the Canadian Forces involved is an acknowledgement that our contribution to society is highly regarded,” said Sewak.
“Sikhism shares the same pluralistic values as the Canadian military and this was a show of solidarity for everything we cherish as Canadians,” said Sewak.
Not one to rest with bridging the gap between Canada’s forces and the local Sikh community, Sewak began sowing the seeds for another first within the Canadian military family – the formation of a cadet corps to be supported and sponsored by Sikh-Canadians.
It did not take long for that idea to get traction.
He shared his thoughts with Lieutenant-Commander Kris Phillips then the Senior Public Affairs Officer for the Department of National Defence in Vancouver who brought it to the attention of General Walter John Natynczyk, the former Chief of the Defence Staff of the Canadian Forces.
Impressed at what Sewak was trying to do, Natynczyk gave his blessings and presented Sewak with a special CDS Challenge Coin “for excellence”.
Sewak’s core group which formed the Friends of the Sikh Cadet Society included Surrey businessman Babbar Singh Tumber and his brother Mukhtiar Singh Tumber, lawyer Amandeep Singh and Dr Bupinder Singh Sachdev.
Last month, after some hiccups over the official name, Canada’s first army cadet program sponsored by the Sikh community came into being in Surrey.
The society is working on coming up with a suitable name that will adhere to the policies of the Cadet League, said Dr. Sachdev.
And that has sparked interest in other communities to set up similar units across the country.
“I have been getting calls not only from other Sikh communities across Canada but also people from other ethnic communities,” said Sewak, the driving force behind the 3300 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps (RCACC),
The formal inauguration and flag ceremony was held at Surrey’s Bombay Banquet Hall and the events was attended by about 500 people including MP (Surrey North) Jasbir Sandhu, Senator Yonah Martin, senior officer of the Canadian military and the Canadian Cadet Corps.
At its formation the unit had 60 members, already making it one of the largest cadet corps in BC.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper in his congratulatory message to the 3300 RCACC said: “Today, the newly formed 3300 RCACC joins the Army Cadets family, a federally funded youth organization. The Cadet program helps prepare young people for the responsibilities of adulthood by developing character, instilling valuable life and work skills and by motivating participants to achieve their highest potential.
I would like to commend the parent sponsoring committee for assisting in fundraising activities ahead of the program’s launch. I would also like to acknowledge the contributions of the dedicated officers and instructors who play an important role in shaping Canada’s future,” Harper said in a statement.
Terence Whitty, Executive Director of the Army Cadet League of Canada hailed the formation of the 3300 RCACC and the work of the Friends of Sikh Cadets Society as sponsors.
“This represents the finest traditions of Sikh culture and we welcome the Sponsor as members of our Canada-wide organization. The community of Surrey will become proud of the cadets in 3300 RCACC over the years as the support of the Sponsor helps to establish a vibrant, exciting and unique cadet corps.”
Major Jim Blomme, the commanding officer for 3300 Army Cadet Program said the new cadet corps will provide a “premier program delivering leadership, teamwork and self-discipline skills.”
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Sewak said that with a long military tradition Sikhs have always been at the forefront in serving their country.
“Over 65,000 Sikh soldiers fought in WWI as part of the British Army and over 300,000 Sikhs fought against German and Japanese tyranny in WWII.
Indeed Sikh Regiments around the world trace their roots directly to the 11th Sikh Regiment of the British Indian Army,” he said.
As such, he added, the key objective of the RCACC 3300 Cadet program is aimed at getting our children to be more involved with a safe, organized and values-based citizenship building organization.
The Army Cadet League of Canada is a civilian nonprofit organization, committed to support the Army Cadets by working in partnership with local communities.
Cadets do not have to join the Canadian military.
Behind the coat-of-arms
Canada’s first army cadet program sponsored by the Sikh community carries a coat of arms which is the official symbol for The Friends of The Sikh Cadet Society, the sponsoring committee for the 3300 RCACC. Here is what it represents;
The White Falcon – This is a symbol of the Sikh brotherhood (Khalsa) which was forged by the tenth master, Guru Gobind Singh Ji who had many titles, including ‘Chittay baaja wala” or the Keeper of the White Falcon. It represents courage and gallantry and that he or she will take on armies of the enemy and stand up for the poor and the downtrodden.
The Five Arrows –The number five or panjh has special significance in Sikhism. A Sikh is defined by five essentials beliefs. Punjab, where Sikhism originated, is named for five rivers.
Panj Pyare are the five beloved administers of Amrit, the baptism of Sikh initiation. Panj Bania are five daily prayers recited by a Sikh. Panj Kakar or 5 K’s are the five required articles of faith that Sikhs wear. Most significantly, the flight of The Five Arrows depicted in the insignia, serve to remind one’s constant battle to overcome ego, lust, anger, greed and pride – collective known in Sikhism as the Five Human Evils.
The Swords– The curved swords (kirpans) is the emblem of Sikhism that represent the Miri-Piri doctrine of Sikhism indicating the integration of spiritual and temporal powers. The term Miri Piri represents for the Sikhs a basic principle which has influenced their thought process and has governed their social structure, political behavior, communal organisation, and leadership.
The Motto - DEG TEGH FATEH, which literally means victory (FATEH) to kettle (deg) and sword (tegh). The sword (TEGH) is the Sikh symbol of responsibility and bravery, to protect the weak and hapless The cauldron or kettle (DEGH) signifies the communal kitchens of Sikhism or Guru ka Langar which teaches equality and humility by feeding all and sundry so that nobody sleeps on an empty stomach. Hence Degh and Teg are symbols of service and duty.
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