National Sikh Heritage Centre, Derby

Aman Singh · #1 (**permalink**) 14-Jul-2009, 19:49 PM

The first ever Sikh Museum, the National Sikh Heritage Centre and Holocaust Museum, Derby wins an Award.

Last night the NSHC&HM was proudly presented with the award plaque for being the 'Best Newcomer' by the judges at the Derbyshire Renaissance Heritage Awards ceremony.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/sikh-news/25810-national-sikh-heritage-centre-derby.html

The Museum is now also short listed in the 'Care of Collections' category for all the work carried out by the museum to preserve Sikh artefacts from destruction.

The president of NSHC&HM Sardar Rajinder Singh Purewal said, "We are delighted at having received this achievement and to have our preservation work for Sikh Heritage recognised in this way." is a great honour.

The Museum has been developed in partnership with Sikh Community and Youth Service Nottingham and Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara Derby. It was initiated in September 2008 as a permanent legacy in commemoration of 300 years anniversary of the Gur Guddi Diwas of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.

Having recently completed Phase 2 of its development, the museum boasts one of the largest collections of Sikh artillery in the world. The Museum has launched exhibitions looking at the 'Eight invasions on Sri Harimandir Sahib Ji', 'Six Sikh Holocausts' and also a section on brave honourable 'Sikh Women'. The Museum has also produced innovative educational materials and exhibitions.

The Museum hosts a number of artifacts, including a canon that belonged to the Sarkar-e Khalsa during the time of Sardar (often erroneously called Maharaja by Sikhs) Ranjit Singh.

The library is currently featuring an exhibit ‘From Jawans to Generals’ and in May will begin an exhibit on the Sikh Holocaust of 1984. They are beginning to collect rare books and hoping that the library will become a hub for Sikh scholarship.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=25810

The museum by bringing many such historical artifacts, located throughout UK together is more proof of the burgeoning of the Diaspora Sikh community and its finding new ways to engage with its changing self as well as non-Sikh community members. One hopes we will see similar initiatives in the US and Canada as well.