Personal Reflections, Hidden Histories, and the Road Ahead My journey into the field of preserving South Asian and Muslim heritage in Scotland was not planned, it began with a question that I often pondered and reflected on, which my then teenage son asked: “Why are we in Scotland?” I did not realise then how deeply […]
Making Heritage Visible via Projects, Partnerships, and Public Impact The year 2026 feels both like a milestone and a moment for quiet reflection. Ten years ago, when I began my journey with Colourful Heritage as Project Officer, I could not have imagined the depth, richness, and emotional resonance of the stories that would unfold before […]
Gaje Ghale was born on 1 August 1918 in Barpak, Gorkha District, Nepal. Barpak, a small village nestled in the rugged terrains of the Himalayas, is in a region that has produced some of the most esteemed soldiers to have served in the armed forces.
Records indicate that no Victoria Crosses were awarded to Indian soldiers specifically for their actions at Monte Cassino during The Second World War. However, Indian soldiers played a significant role in the gruelling battles for Monte Cassino, with many displaying exceptional bravery. One soldier, Sepoy Kamal Ram of the 8th Punjab Regiment, did receive the Victoria Cross for his actions at the Garigliano River in Italy in May 1944.
Mir Dast, a distinguished soldier from the Indian Army, was awarded the Victoria Cross for exceptional bravery in the First World War.
Did you know that during WW2, nearly 2.5 million personnel from the British Indian Army were deployed to help protect Britain at its time of need? A special Muslim contingent called ‘Force K6’ was a Mule Transport Corps a part of the Royal Indian Army Service Corps (RIASC) from the British Indian Army (BIA). […]
Khudadad Khan wasn’t just the first Indian Victoria Cross recipient; he was a symbol of courage that transcended borders. Born in 1888, in what is now Pakistan, Khan joined the British Indian Army.
Known as The Flying Sikh of Biggin Hill, Hardit Singh Malik was the first Indian pilot of the First World War and would go on to become a distinguished diplomat.
More than a century after his death, Rifleman Gabar Singh Negi’s courage continues to inspire his homeland.
Indra Lal Roy, a name often lost to history, was a remarkable young man who soared into the skies of the First World War as India’s sole flying ace.
South Asian Heritage Month dates changed to "July" from 2026 — Learn more here →
