LOS ANGELES: The Anglo Sikh Heritage Trail organized a tour for Sikh families to London, in order to discover the common history and thread that binds all Sikhs.

The eight- day tour was done in conjunction with Sikhpoint.com and ASHT and started on July 11 to July 18. The contrast could not have been greater.

On one hand the awe inspiring splendour of the throne of the Sher- E Punjab with its gold leaf. On the other the bleak grey headstone marking the grave of the last Sikh emperor Duleep Singh.

The former, being a treasure shining proudly amidst the imposing surroundings of the world famous Victoria and Albert museum, London. On the other hand, the latter exuding an eerie silence in an almost anonymous churchyard in rural Suffolk.

Yet the two are inextricably linked and respectively represented the starting and finishing points of the first official tour of Anglo Sikh heritage by an overseas group.

Comprising families and individuals and families from the US, Canada, and even a retired Colonel from India this group shared one common thread - an irrepressible interest in the heritage of their faith. When the tour had been promoted by Sikhpoint.com it was claimed that it would" lift the hearts and open the eyes".

As the group stood in light rainfall assembled in silent reflection and remembrance around the grave of Duleep Singh some eyes were closed as tears flowed.

It was a moving moment yet the stillness and sorrow was followed instantly by a fresh spring in the by now weary step of these pioneering travellers.

In a week of relentless discovery they had indeed ventured where few had gone before but now as they walked with their back to the churchyard towards their coach their heritage was no longer a thing of the past - it had inspired their future!

In picture, there was a 93 year old Sergeant who had been in India during British Raj now lives at the Royal Hospital of Chelsea. But it was a Sergeant in scarlet - "They call me Paddy ...!" - Who took us around and explained the concept of the Royal Hospital of Chelsea. Founded in 1682 by King Charles II, it continues to be funded by the British monarch for its original purpose: to provide "succor and relief of veterans broken by age and war".

Approximately three hundred veterans from the British wars who are in dire need and have no other support or dependants, are housed within the community.

They surrender their pensions; in return, they are fully taken care of for the rest of their days. In understated but well-deserved luxury. We met a number of them - all those we spoke to ranged from octogenarians to centenarians - and they regaled us with stories of the wars they had fought in.

Almost all of them had fought alongside Sikh troops, and had interesting anecdotes to tell. Paddy - he has the gift of the gab that only the Irish enjoy - gave us a grand tour of the massive property: the Infirmary, the Long Wards, the Church ("Mrs. Thatcher is here every Sunday for the service!"), the regal Great Hall ... all of these lined with reminders of the campaigns that the Brits have been involved in through the centuries.

Punjab figures on these walls over and over again; and so do battlefields where Sikh soldiers excelled with unprecedented and unequalled valor, but for which they have yet to be properly and fully honored:

Gallipoli, Mesopotamia, Ypres, Saragarhi, Kohima, Imphal, Singapore, Tobruk, Hong Kong, El Alamein ... the list is virtually endless.