The roles and sacrifices of Sikh soldiers in the liberation of Italy continue to resonate more than eight decades later, as towns, communes, villages, and cities across the country mark their annual Independence Day commemorations.

Casola Valsenio, a village founded in 1216 after the destruction of the Casola castle by Faenza troops and now a municipality in the province of Ravenna in Emilia-Romagna, joined this year’s observances. The town celebrated the 81st anniversary of its independence on November 28.

A central feature of the ceremony was the remembrance of Sikh soldiers who laid down their lives during the liberation of Casola Valsenio in 1944. City Councilors and seniors Eleonora Proni, Nicholas Nescito, and Maurizio Nati invited members of the Italy-based World Sikh Soldiers Yadgar Committee to take part in the event.

Following military tradition, organizers requested the committee to lead the “Ardas,” which was performed by ex-serviceman Sewa Singh. Members of the delegation, led by committee president Prithipal Singh, paid homage to the Sikh soldiers who fought in the Italian campaign as part of the British Army. Wreaths were laid at the memorial by representatives of the freedom fighters’ group.

Casola Valsenio Mayor Maurizio Nati praised the valor of Sikh soldiers who fought to free Italian territory, emphasizing the magnitude of their sacrifice. He noted that their service was extraordinary given the distance from their homeland. 

“The Sikhs are unique, for they made supreme sacrifices in fighting Hitler’s troops,” he told schoolchildren attending the ceremony. Provincial assembly representative Eleonora Proni also commended the contributions of Sikh soldiers to the liberation of the town.

Alongside Prithipal Singh, committee members Manjinder Singh Khalsa, Gurmail Singh Bhatti, Jasvir Singh Dhanota, Parminder Singh Gustala, and Amarjit Singh reflected on the harsh weather conditions and combat challenges Sikh soldiers faced in Europe during World War II. They noted that despite these hardships, the soldiers remained loyal to the local population and fought with dedication as though defending their own homeland.

The commemoration drew participation from local political leaders, business and industry representatives, community members, and a large number of students, including schoolchildren, underscoring the enduring impact of the Sikh soldiers’ legacy in the region.

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