Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Rishi Sunak honoured Rajindar Singh Dhatt, a 101-year-old Sikh World War II veteran, with a Points of Light award for his service and work in bringing together British Indian war veterans.
The Points of Light award recognises outstanding people whose service is making a difference in their communities and whose stories can inspire others towards innovative solutions to social challenges in their own communities and beyond. Dhatt was one of the last surviving Sikh soldiers who fought in World War II. At a UK-India Week reception at 10 Downing Street, he was acknowledged for his service and work running the Undivided Indian Ex-Servicemen’s Association to help bring together British Indian war veterans.
Born in pre-Partition India in 1921, Dhatt fought with the Allied forces during the British colonial period. He has been based in Hounslow in southwest London since 1963. He joined the British Indian Army during the Second World War and excelled up the ranks, being promoted to Havildar Major (Sergeant Major) in 1943. The war veteran was later drafted to the Far East campaign to fight in Kohima, then in Assam, India, to support the Allied Forces and help break through the Japanese defences.
