Sikh Voices of the First World War: Educate yourselves.
Writing of his first impressions of Europe, Harnam Singh in a letter to a Gurdial Singh in Ludhiana notes that:
It is impossible to praise this country sufficiently, because the people so high minded and truthful...They are very kind and helpful towards each other.
And what is the root of it all? Knowledge and learning. And why are our people defective? Because of our ignorance.
My friends, exert yourselves. Learning and knowledge are essential things.
Harnam Singh, 6th Cavalry, Frank 21 July 1916 (from David Omissi, Indian Voices of the Great War, 1999, letter no. 358).