When Sikhs Fought Against the Italians in World War II And Earned Their Respect HD

The Sikh regiment is one of the most feared regiments of Indian army. Although Sikhs constitute of 2% of Indian population, Sikhs are 10% of the Indian army. When two friends were on a trip to Italy, India was fighting a war with Pakistan at Kargil, when they met an Italian who had huge respect for Sikhs and then started his story. That morning in May 1999, on an official trip to Italy, as I had switched on the BBC World News, I had heard the announcement that Indian Air Force had started an offensive on the Kargil peaks and there were fears of a full-fledged war with Pakistan. What had till now been known as a minor incursion by infiltrators was now threatening to engulf the two nations into a suicidal war. My friend and I had begun our usual tour of the fair; visiting booths of major companies. I vividly remember that stall, and the company owner sitting stylishly having a chat with his clients. These Italians sure are one stylish lot. Brown shoes and a red golf cap. I still have’nt got over my bias for brown shoes acquired during those trips to Italy. As we got on with our promotional lecture the conversation veered off to the Kargil news. “Pakistan can never defeat India”, he suddenly remarked. “Oh yes”, we said, “Of Course, we have a bigger army”, we said proudly. “Oh No!, you got it wrong”, said the Italian “Is that so? How?” “You know about Sikhs?”, he asked. “Of course”, I said, “I am a Sikh” “Oh, are you?”, he remarked with a surprise, as he suddenly got up from his seat, took off his red cap, “Salute’”, he said in his strong Italian accent; even as he asked me as to why I was not wearing the Sikh turban. I grinned sheepishly in response. “Hats off, my Sikh friend; you don’t know why Pakistan can never defeat India? It cannot defeat India as long as the Sikhs fight for India.” We were surprised by his reaction. And we asked him as to how he knew about Sikhs and tried to find out the story behind his view. And then he started speaking animatedly. “My Grandpapa was in Mussolini’s army in World War-II. And he used to tell me a story. He told me that they were winning the war as they moved into Eastern Africa. They won many battles against the British. And then the British brought a regiment of fierce looking warriors. Men that looked like ferocious animals when in battle, the Sikhs. Their war-cry was so frightening that the Italian army used to shiver when it sounded. They attacked with their artillery; when they finished their artillery fire they attacked with their guns; when they finished their bullets they fought with bayonets; and when their bayonets were snatched they fought with knives; and then even as they were bleeding they fought with bare hands.” I could see the Italian getting more and more excited as he recited the story. He was moving his hands around in the air and acting the part. “My Grandpa used to say that it was the Sikhs that turned the war around. They routed their enemy wherever they went. “Finally, my