_____________________________________________________________________________ \\\\\___PRINCESS NOOR APPRECIATION SOCIETY INTERNATIONAL 1998___\"-._ /////~~~ BEGUM NOOR CONNECTION ~~~/.-' _____________________________________________________________________________ INDIA PAYS HOMAGE TO WORLD WAR II SPY (scroll down for poem in honour of Noor by Irfanulla Shariff) Josy Joseph Tuesday, September 05, 2006 23:20 IST Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee visited the ancestral home of the legendary spy in the suburbs of Paris. NEW DELHI: One of the most intriguing figures of World War II, Noor-un-Nisa Inayat Khan, the legendary British spy, was a descendant of Tipu Sultan. Born to an Indian Muslim father and an American mother, Noor was executed in German custody before the end of the War, during which she carried out one of the most daring acts by a woman during WW II. Noor was an extremely dependable spy for the Allied Forces during the crucial months of the war in Paris, where she remained one of the last credible links with London. India has, all these years, shown no interest in recognising the contributions of the intriguing woman and as late as the last Parliament session it said New Delhi had no plans to honour Noor’s contribution posthumously. However, on Monday, in a touching departure, Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee visited the ancestral home of the legendary spy in the suburbs of Paris, at Rue de la Tulleries, and paid homage to Noor’s contributions to the Allied Powers in defeating the Fascist Alliance. "Noor-un-Nisa Inayat Khan was an extraordinary heroic woman who fought and gave her life for freedom and liberty," Mukherjee wrote on the Visitor’s Book at her home on Monday. He toured the two-storied house, which also houses a monument built in her memory in the courtyard where the French government annually pays homage to her on Resistance Day remembrance. Noor and her family-parents and three siblings-reached Paris before World War I from Russia, and just before the Great War broke out they moved to London in 1914. They returned in 1920 to Paris, where Noor studied music and wrote poetry. Before the family left Paris again in 1940, she had published a book called "Twenty Jataka Tales". In London, she joined the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force as a wireless operator and later joined the Directorate of Air Intelligence. Noor Inayat was posthumously awarded a George Cross by the British and the Croix de Geurre award by the French. Noor left for Paris in June of 1943 to help the beleaguered French forces in intelligence gathering as the German onslaught continued. According to most accounts, she was the last dependable link between London and Paris, until she was arrested in October 1943. She tried to escape from the Fascist custody at least a couple of times before she was moved to Germany where she was placed under solitary confinement, classified as a highly dangerous prisoner. Many authors have said that she refused to divulge any details to the Germans all through her prison days. She was shot dead on September 13, 1944 by a German guard at the Dachau Concentration Camp. FROM: http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1051414 _____________________________________________________________________________ A Tribute To The Illuminated Woman of World War II Posted March 3, 2013 Our humble tribute to you The illuminated woman Of Word War II Oh! The courageous Miss Noor Inayat Khan Great grand daughter Of the *Sufi king Tipu Sultan The Tiger of Mysore You were bestowed With the highest military awards For your splendid valor Oh! The most charismatic heroine Of World War II Oh! The beloved daughter Of the legendary Sufi master From whom you learned The jewels of spirituality Love, joy, harmony, Endurance and beauty And when he passed away You nurtured your mother And siblings with benevolence We truly cherish your munificence Oh! The kind hearted woman Of World War II Oh! The emblem of Purest beauty and grace You, the poet and musician You, the writer and champion of languages Your stunning tales of inspiration Now captivating the children's attention You, the amazing air force lady You, the brilliant wireless operator You are Madeleine and Nora The master of disguises and aura Oh! The dynamic spy Of World War II Oh! The incredible tigress You were betrayed And tortured with the high level of severity Yet you stood firm and never gave up For the sake of humanity You challenged the wicked hegemony Fighting heroically Against the horrendous evils You sacrificed your precious life Uttering the last single word, "Liberte" Oh! The Freedom Fighter Of World War II Oh! The Sufi princess You are the sweetest martyr That we all madly admire You are the icon of integrity Dwelling in our hearts for eternity You are now the radiant star In this glorious universe May God, The Almighty, All-Compassionate and All-Loving Bless your gentle soul, rest you in peace And grant you the highest place in heaven Oh! The most magnificent woman Of World War II Irfanulla Shariff *(Note: Tipu Sultan was not a Sufi. Tipu was supposed to become a Sufi, but his father Hyder Ali insisted he become a capable soldier and leader.) _____________________________________________________________________________ Reprinted under the Fair Use http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.html Doctrine of International Copyright Law _____________________________________________________________________________