Dear Sirs,

I read with great interest the names of Sikh casualties in the First World War. I sincerely commend the author who undertook such extensive work for all of us to share and surely we all take a sense of pride from their sacrifice to make this world a more safe and secured place.

I am at present in my failing health at age 70 and remember when in my 20's, I undertook a similar task in pursuing our cultural heritage in the UK and had the honor of participating in the delivery of Guru Gobind Singhji’s Shaster to India and the last remains of Shaheed Udham Singh to Sunam Village. Even now anything relating to our proud heritage brings zeal in me and hence I express my profound sense of appreciation for the casuality list of the First World War.

My attitude to life has under gone a radical change towards spirituality more so after the recent death my son 24, a Metropolitan Police Officer, London. He was a champion of Gateka and Shaster Vidya, and a proud Sikh. He was given full British Guard of honor and over 500 Police Officers and all Gateka masters and Sikh youths marched in his funeral. The Metropolitan Police have dedicated "Pirthi Bedi Conference Hall" at Wembley Police Station with his portrait in police uniform. Again on the 7th December (2005), the day he was killed on the road, the Metropolitan Police and the community will mount his plaque on the outside of the Police building.

You don’t expect your children to go before you but we shall have to accept Rabbi Bhana. I am proud our son in his young age cultivated Gursikhi values "Sarbat Da Bhala" and this is the goodness he leaves behind as he touched the hearts and minds of so many English and Asian friends alike.

I am sure there are many Sikh youth like my son who are cultivating principles and values of humanity and may Waheguru bless such youths with wisdom and vision of universal brotherhood.

Gur Fateh!

Yours sincerely,
Prof. M.P.S. Bedi

Pirthi Bedi, a Metropolitan Police Office age 24 years, was killed on 7th December 2004 right in front of Hayes Police Station Uxbridge Rd, Hayes, Middx. UK. He was born in Coventry on 5th July 1980 and from childhood he took keen interest in Shaster Vidya and was particularly interested in the life and Marshal art of Nihang Singhs.

At the age of 10 he would go out in the backyard garden and begin to swing Talwar as if playing Gateka. The flood light would come on and his parents would ask him to come inside.

Prithi’s passion to learn Gateka grew more and more when he persuaded his father Prof. Bedi to take him to Punjab to learn Gateka and do Gurdwaras darshan. His father was delighted at this and took him to Delhi where he began to learn Gateka from Dhana Singh Gateka Master. Soon he acquired basic skills and further enhanced his skills from Jatehdar Gurcharan Singh who is a disciple of the great Gateka Master Baba Giana Singh Bola.

Prithi continued learning from Patiala Jatehdar Gursewak Singh, son of Master Mohan Singh. He visited Akali Phola Singh Burj and Shri Anandpur Sahib and gave a very impressive display of Shaster Vidya and the people in India were suprised to see a young boy born in the UK with such mastery and respect for Shasters. He also made a remarkable collection of Shasters and kept these at home with great reverence. He would bow at the Shaster with respect before going on duty.

Prithi set up Ranjit Akhara in London and as a Jatehdar he trained many Sikh youth in Gateka skills. Akhara would start with Ardas followed with a discussions on Shaheed Baba Depp Singh Ji, Baba Banda Bhadar Singh Ji and other great Sikh warriors. Prithi cultivated Sikhi values of a "Sant and Warrior" and humility was his greatest virtue. He would always see everybody alike with respect and was ever willing to offer his services as and when needed.

In 2002 there was a Gateka Competition in Birmingham where he won Gateka Championship with honor. His funeral was attended by all Gateka Masters from UK along with 500 Police Officers who marched in motorbikes and police cars in front and back of the funeral car. Besides over 3500 friends and community from all walks of life attended. In his short life Prithi had touched so many hearts and minds.

His friends and community and colleagues have set up " Pirthi Bedi Foundation" in the UK and in Patiala, his ancestrol home. The main aim of this trust is to teach Sikh youth our rich heritage, especially Shaster Vidya and help the youth get connected with each other. We welcome any ideas or suggestions to further the cause of this young Sikh who dedicated his short life for sewa and humanity.

Pirthi’s last posting was in Wembly Police Station where the Commander Mr. Andy Bamber has dedicated "Pirthi Bedi Conference Hall" at the Wembly Police Staton with his portrait hanging on the wall. As a further mark of respect, Metropolitan Police in London has put a plaque "In Loving memory of PC Pirthi Bedi QK 127, 5th July 1980- 7th December 2004” on the outside of the Hayes Police Station Building on 7th December 2005 at 3.15pm where he was killed in a car accident. These memorials will stay forever and inspire so many Sikhs and non-Sikhs.

Pirthi leaves behind his father Prof. MPS Bedi, mother Mrs. Kuldip Kaur Bedi, eldest brother Brijpaul Singh Bedi, sister Balwinder Kaur, Tajinder Kaur, and Lilly Kaur. May Waheguru bless his atma. His house has now become a shrine where his friends and colleagues visit and see his wonderful display of shasters and Gateka photographs. We welcome you to our home.