Private Desanda Singh was among the handful of Indian Anzacs to go to the World War -I as an Australian soldier. His great-grandson, Nehchal Singh accidentally found Pte Desanda Singh's medals last year. Nehchal joined Capt Sandeep Bhagat and Dr. Harsh Vivek Singh in SBS Punjabi studios to celebrate the Punjabi ANZAC heritage. Here is the full audio of the interview we recorded in our studio, including that with young Kaustav Bhagat, who is aspiring to to join the RAAF.
With his great grandfather's medals pinned proudly on his chest who had arrived in Australia in 1900, Nehchal participated in the Anzac Day march in Melbourne, for the first time ever, on Monday.
"Today I feel as if my relation to this country goes back generations, and there can be nothing that fills me with such pride," he says.
Private Desanda Singh was an immigrant South Australian farmer and skilled rider when he enlisted in the Third Light Horse Regiment and headed to Egypt.
He was one of only sixteen Indian-born recruits recorded to have served for Australia in World War One.
The story of Desanda Singh is said to highlight an enduring trait of Australian servicemen and women - that while united in a common cause, they came from diverse multicultural and social backgrounds.
Capt Sandeep Bhagat is a serving officer of the Australian Army, who has completed a number of postings in difficult international missions including Afghanistan. He says the ANZAC spirit is to never give up.
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"In Gallipoli our ANZACS knew the victory was difficult, but they didn't turn their back to the challenges. It's that spirit of not turning your back to the difficulties and not abandoning the mateship is the ANZAC spirit," says Capt Bhagat.
Dr. Harsh Vivek Singh, a former doctor with the Indian Army arrived in Australia only last year. He says soldiers anywhere in the world, are driven by the same spirit.
In the year 2005 when a devastating earthquake rocked large parts of India and Pakistan, Dr. Vivek was in his bunker in Uri Sector in Kashmir. Despite being badly hurt after the bunker collapsed on him, he treated several seriously injured patients before he collapsed.
He says soldiers anywhere in the world, are driven by the same spirit and chutzpah of carrying on even in the face of insurmountable challenges is the true ANZAC spirit.
"Australia was defeated there, but the victory was of the spirit, and we celebrate that spirit."
"The ANZAC spirit is not to back down in face of difficulties and to keep fighting. And this isn't true just for Australia, this holds good for every country, every Army, that defeat isn't the end."
