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Could you tell us about Bhai Sahib’s childhood, how he was growing up with his family?

As he was as a child, so was his character in adulthood. Never once did we see him upset or angry with anyone. He was very playful and adventurous as a child. Despite our grandmother’s warnings to be careful, Sodhi would daringly climb trees at a young age.

When did Bhai Sahib meet Sant Jarnail Singh Ji?

Having told me he had no interest in worldly education, Sodhi left home in 1976 (at the age of 14) and went to Harian Belan. There he learnt horse-riding, Gatka & Shastar Vidya. He then met Sant Ji in 1977, took his Santhya at Mehta and accompanied Sant Ji on their parchaar tour thereafter.

Could you tell us about Bhai Sahib’s respect for women?

Never mind women, from the smallest child to the eldest residents of the pind, Sodhi treated them all with the upmost love and respect. Sodhi would often say that every younger woman should be treated as a sister and every elder woman as a mother/ grand-mother. Sodhi helped so many daughters of the Panth when they fell on difficult times, some instances of this only became known to the family after his Shaheedi.

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What do you think was a turning point in Bhai Sahib’s life?

There is no doubt about it, the turning point in Sodhi’s life was when he met Sant Ji. From that day, he did not look back. He told me that his life was now dedicated to the Kaum, that he had no personal or family-related wishes/desires.

Sodhi wanted to do something for the Kaum. He would say if he could make a 1% difference, then he would know “mera jeevan safal hogya” (his life had been worthy/ fruitful). In this spirit, he decided to live and die for the Kaum and followed every hukam of Sant Ji.

How did Bhai Sahib’s Shaheedi impact the Panth?

The Panth always mourns the loss of its diamonds but their sacrifices and jeevania also inspires countless others to rise up. The young generation connected with Sikhi today are flowers that have blossomed from the sacrifices our Shaheeds.

Sant Ji, who referred to Sodhi as their right arm, felt as one of their limbs had been severed following Sodhi’s shaheedi. However, Sodhi was destined for this outcome. He had dedicated his life for the Kaum, had he not attained Shaheedi when he did, he would have remained by Sant Ji’s side attaining Shaheedi in June 1984. The only source of regret is that so called ‘apne lok’ conspired in his Shaheedi.

How did Bhai Sahib’s Shaheedi impact the rest of the family?

Whilst he had warned of this day – that he could become a martyr at any time – it still shocked me to my core. My saura family (in-laws) were very close to Sodhi and his Shaheedi really impacted them too. Overcoming this loss was very difficult but my Husband and Sant Ji supported me through this period.

What final message would you like to give to future generations in the UK?

Rather than convey any message from myself personally, I will repeat Sodhi’s message to the Kaum. He would say that we can only honour the sacrifices our Shaheeds if we listen to their bachan and move forward on that basis. The sacrifices of our Shaheeds acts as catalyst and gives rise to countless generations of warriors that serve righteousness and uproot injustices. He encouraged treating older females as mothers, younger females as sisters and showing respect to our elders.

Above all, the Kaum should keep faith in none other than Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Mahraaj. Sikhs should strengthen faith and meditation of Naam Simran, engage in Seva and indiscriminately strive for justice and prosperity of all. Through these ideals, we will keep our children and future generations connected to Sikhi and the glorious history of our beloved Shaheeds.

Vaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Vaheguru Ji Ki Fateh