This week, a Gravesend unveiled statue of fighter pilot Mahinder Singh Pujji, Sqn Ldr Mahinder Singh Pujji arrived in Britain in 1940 and died at the age of 92 in Gravesend in 2010. he was part of the group of 24 sikhs who came from India in 1940. he lived in Gravesend up until he sadly passed away at the age of 92 in 2010.

Sqn Ldr Pujji, learned to fly a plane as a hobby but trained with the RAF in WW2. He began flying Hurricanes in early 1941, protecting coastal convoys and intercepting bombers and fighters when Hitler ordered the bombing of London. He survived several crashes and flew combat missions throughout the war in Britain, Europe, North Africa, the Middle East and Burma and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. Douglas Jennings, who was the scuulptor of his statue which is in St. Andrews Gardens, quoted "He was a volunteer - it was his choice to fight for the British and that bowls me over."

Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi who is running for the Labour MP of Gravesham said that in a month £70,000 had been raised by the Sikh community at the Gravesend Gurdwara. He was a great war hero and if anyone wants to visit his statue, go to St. Andrews Gardens on the Gravesend riverside.

 

By Jeevan Singh Dhillon, Young Report

Gravesend Grammar School