THE HISTORY OF SIKHS IN HONG KONG
The first Sikhs arrived in Hong Kong in 1841 and formed part of the British forces present at the ceremony proclaiming Hong Kong a British colony at Possession Point. There were 2,700 Indian troops were present at the flag raising ceremony according to a book by K.N. Vaid (HK University) and note No.41 of the article transnational identities*, therefore the Indians  was once a majority in Hong Kong in 1841. The Police Force was established in 1844 with 35 British and Sikhs policemen. In 1867*, 100 more Sikhs was recruited from Punjab on the request of the Governor of Hong Kong to serve in the Police force. A few thousand Sikhs moved to Hong Kong during the years 1867 to 1930 as members of the British Indian Army or came to serve as policemen, civil servants, security personnel and other posts. By 1930* there were over 7,000 Indians, most of them Sikhs, in Hong Kong. In 1960 the estimated number had increased to around 20,000 Indians. In 2000* the estimated number of Indians was 30,000 and about 10,000 of them were Sikhs.

THE FIRST SIKH PUNJABI IN HONG KONG
The first* Sikh in Hong Kong is likely to have landed on 26th January 1841 together with the Sikh unit of the British Indian Army when Britain acquired the colony of Hong Kong. This fact is evidenced by a picture dated 1841 showing Sikh soldiers on ceremonial parade when Commodore Sir John James Gordon Bremer formally took possession of Hong Kong for the crown and raised the British flag at Possession Point. Records of this event could not be found at present. 

SIKHS IN THE HONG KONG POLICE FORCE 
On April 30, 1841, orders were given by the Administrator Charles Elliot to establish a police force. The Hong Kong Police Force was officially established by the colonial government on May 1, 1844. The first Chief of Police was Captain William Caine and the force was formed with  total strength of 35 members. The first members of the force in 1844 were British officers and Sikh Constables. There were no Chinese nationals in the force initially.  In 1856 there were 238 members, all non-Chinese. By 1867 the overall strength had risen to 690 with 90 Europeans, 370 Indians and 130 Chinese. It was around the late 1890s that the Chinese outnumbered the Indians. The Chinese has a saying, "in all matters, the starting phase is always difficult", so that was how the force started and evolved into a world famous police force. Sikh policemen were to be found throughout Hong Kong before World War II. The Sikhs continued to play an active and important role in the Hong Kong Police Force for the next several decades up to 1950. In 2006 the police strength was 27,000 99% Chinese with 275 Europeans and a handful of Indians and non-Chinese. The Sikhs have indeed made valuable contributions towards the security of Hong Kong enabling it to develop and prosper. 

SIKHS CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HONG KONG POLICE FORCE
Law enforcement in the turbulent early days Hong Kong was dangerous and not an easy task. Numerous Sikhs have sacrificed their lives for the police force and in those days there were only very few policemen servicing an ever increasing migratory population. Sikhs were the first Hong Kong policemen in 1844. Charles May headed he force from 1845 to1862 which was a workable_police force of mostly British and Indian policemen that had faced hardened criminals pirates, triads and gangsters and the force brought reasonable safety the crowded streets of the bustling city. The first major recruitment of Sikh policemen directly from Punjab, India was in 1867. Crime rates dropped and the criminal activities were under control. By the 1870s, the force with a majority of Indian constables had been workingeffectively. The success of the Hong Kong Sikh police prompted the Governor of Singapore to recruit Sikhs from Punjab for their Police force. In 1881 the first batch of 165 men arrived in Singapore under Superintendent Steven adding to the Sikh presence in British territories in South East Asia. The Sikhs also did a great job policing Shanghai during turbulent times for almost a century. The Sikhs also proved to be capable policemen in Hong Kong for from 1841 to 1941 laying the foundations for the world's finest. The Japanese occupation of Hong Kong in 1941 was a turning point for Sikhs in the force. Many Sikh policemen, civil servants and civilians were interned as prisoners of war tortured and died. Others Sikhs died defending Hong Kong especially during the famous Wongneichung offensive. Numerous graves stones of Sikh soldiers at the British Military Cemetery in Stanley, Hong Kong, serves as permanent testimony of this heroic chapter in Hong Kong's history. Some Sikh policemen and their families have heard of the atrocities of the Japanese, so they merged into the civilian population and times were particularly hard for the Sikhs. Many of these loyal Sikh men who steadfastly remained at their posts performing police duties were killed by the Japanese. Others were forced to continue these duties under the Japanese. Some had no option but to seek employment with the Japanese at subsistence level in guard duties. The rest  joined the British Army Aid Group in China or returned to India and a number took part in the re-conquest of Burma. In 1946 after the Japanese occupation, the incidents of Sikhs collaborating with the Japanese were amplified and the heroic Sikhs who defended Hong Kong was overlooked. Police Commissioner John Pennefather-Evans drew plans to scale down on  the number of Sikhs in police service and those plans took effect under Commissioner Duncan MacIntosh in 1946. The force was overhauled, pay increased and facilities improved. Events that followed were undesirable. The force was well organised, but unfortunately, political upheaval in China rocked the force. Corruption started to creep in and deteriorated further over the years. The result was rampant corruption throughout the force in the 1960s and 1970s. The offering of "Heung Yau" (money) to bribe the police was well known and as a result police turned a blind eye to the gambling houses, vice dens and other illicit activities. Hong Kong residents were furious. The British parliament was incensed and demanded remedy. Finally, the Independent Commission Against Corruption was set up and successfully wiped out corruption within the force. Hong Kong once again has a respectable and professional police force.

SIKHS IN THE BRITISH ARMY STATIONED IN HONG KONG
Sikhs from the British Indian Army have been stationed in Hong Kong since the colony was founded in 1841 and continued for over a century. 2,700 Indians troops were stationed in Hong Kong in 1841. There were various Sikh regiments in Hong Kong and treaty ports in China. Many Sikhs stayed on and settled permanently in Hong Kong after leaving the Army particularly at the end of the world wars. The pay in 1914 was 18 Rupees per month. They were housed in army barracks at different locations including Whitfield Barracks (Kowloon Part) in Tsimshatsui. The Hong Kong and Singapore Regiment Artillery (HKSRGA) was housed at the Gun Club Hill Barracks at Chatham Road in 1914. A number of Sikhs were employed as Military Police to guard the Ammunition Depot at Stonecutters Island. Many of the Sikhs settled permanently in Hong Kong are descended from Sikh soldiers who were stationed in Hong Kong.

STONECUTTERS BRITISH FORCES SIKH MILITARY POLICE - HONG KONG
The British Forces in Hong Kong maintained its main ammunition depot was at Stonecutters Island along with sensitive military installations and army personnel. Sikhs were entrusted as Military police to safeguards the base for many years. Their history, loyalty and undoubtedly their religious prohibition on smoking justified their employment* as guardians of the ammunition deposit on Stonecutters Hong Kong. The Sikhs at Stonecutters were honourably disbanded in 1997 and most of them found employment in the private sector, returned to India or emigrated to the UK or Canada.. 

ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE SIKHS IN THE HONG KONG COLONIAL GOVERNMENT SERVICE
The British were great administrators and the Sikhs great soldiers and servicemen. The success and achievements of this unique combination had been proved time and again. Maintenance of law and order is the foremost responsibility of a government. The Sikhs are pioneer members of the Hong Kong Police Force and have been part of the effective force for over a century. They have helped mould and shape the force into Asia's finest. It is hard to imagine police duties without electronic communications, accessories and reliable vehicles. The other disciplined force was the Prisons Department which employed large numbers if Sikhs in the early years and up to to the 1960s. The Prisons Department was also a professionally run service with a long, colourful and respectable history. The Water Works, Public Works and other departments also employed Sikhs in clerical and other posts. In 2000 there were still a handful of Sikhs still in government service, for example the Correctional Services Department, and when these Sikhs retire, that would be the end of a long and impressive history of Sikhs in Hong Kong government service. The Chinese people of Hong Kong are intelligent in many ways, and as great craftsmen they contributed to the industrialisation of Hong Kong. The Indians were good traders and lead the exporting trade of Hong Kong products for many years. All these factors combined with the excellent administration of Hong Kong raised Hong Kong's status to the level of a world class multicultural city . The Sikhs are proud of their contributions during the most difficult times when the Hong Kong society formed, struggled and developed.

WHY THE BRITISH PREFERRED THE SIKHS IN THE DISCIPLINED AND CIVIL SERVICE?
India was part of the British Empire and Sikhs were British subjects*. Most Sikhs spoke English which was essential for communications. The British experienced the loyalty of Sikhs discovered during the Anglo-Sikh wars and the mutiny of 1857 and were impressed by the bravery, and the martial skills of the Sikhs. Discipline was a factor and Sikhs were prepared to follow reasonable orders, had the power of self-discipline and devotion to duty. Bribery was a problem in police service and the British found the Sikhs less corruptible. Past experience showed that the Sikhs were capable and suitable for public service and more Sikhs were added the services. The culture of the Sikhs is more compatible to the British than the Chinese for example, Sikhs gets drunk and jolly like the Brits and the sense of humor are not much different. In any ethnic group there are bound to be problems and the Sikhs were often involved in brawls, drinking related and other nuisances. Sikh were satisfied and happy in the employment of the British. Tthe pay was fine, jobs were respectable with housing and benefits, especially when they were allowed to bring their families in the later years. Social conditions were fine. There was a large, colorful and vibrant community of Sikhs residing permanently in Hong Kong. Sikhs mingled with the British socially at a general level and competed in sports. Those Sikhs in senior levels joined the British in social functions and parties. The social life was attractive with hockey matches, The Indian Recreation Club, India Club, Cricket Club had regular sports and social events. Security was not a problem as the Sikhs are not likely to band with the Chinese to go against British interests. Smoking and gambling is prohibited in Sikhism which makes them safe around arms and ammunition stores. Sikhs are also generally law abiding and should a Sikh commit serious crimes, they would become outcasted within their community and the shame is worse than imprisonment. The Sikhs were self  regulated. The temperate climate was also suitable. The British were dying like flies in the early days of Hong Kong due to plagues and sickness. The Governor of Hong Kong in the 1860s requested for more Sikh policemen*, with the comments: "I see the greatest possible advantage to the Empire in employing in other colonies, men who are aliens like ourselves to the population, and whose fidelity may therefore be relied on. The service of Europeans in subordinate positions might thereby be greatly dispensed with". Those comments became policy with far reaching effects on the Hong Kong Sikhs. It was under these circumstances that the British decided to recruit large numbers of Sikhs into the British Indian Army, colonial police force and civil service.

COLONIAL GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS IN HONG KONG WITH SIKHS IN SERVICE:
In 1960 there were about 20,000 Indians, quite a number employed as Police Constables and other senior ranks.
(It is believed that Police Serial No.1 was assigned to a Sikh, therefore, Sikhs were affectionately called "Number One").
Correctional Services Department (formerly Prisons Department) employed Sikhs as Warders and other ranks.
Water Supplies Department (Formerly Water Works) employed Sikhs in Clerical and other posts.
Judiciary and Courts of Law employed as Translators.
Government Secretariat - The Secretary of Civil Service in the 1990.
Other Government Department like Public Works, Medical & Health Department etc..
The British Forces Hong Kong up to 1997 Military and Military Police stationed at Stonecutters Island
Sikhs were also employed by other Hong Kong Government Departments.

OCCUPATIONS OF OTHER SIKHS NOT IN GOVERNMENT SERVICE
In the past and up to the 1970's, those Sikhs who did not make it into government service found employment as guards for the prestigious establishments and houses of the rich. Having a tall burly Sikh guard was the equivalent of having a private policemen since most of the Sikhs were policemen at that time and having a Sikh guard raised the status of the establishment, therefore they were much in demand. Many Sikhs guards were given neat uniforms similar to the police.  There was virtually no unemployment among Sikhs. However, their jobs required them to be discerning, tough with intruders and criminals and as a result they were often unreasonably subjected to verbal abuse. They were helpless as they were ethnic minorities. A number of Sikhs worked as private drivers or at the dockyards as guards. Most of these Sikhs would have retired by now and the better-educated younger generation seldom work as guards. In 2000 Sikhs were working in diverse occupations like managers in trading companies, clerks, transportation, driving, restaurant workers and a handful were still in government service like the Correctional Services Department.

THE HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE SIKH PUNJABI COMMUNITY OF HONG KONG
India was part of the British Empire and Britain needed effective manpower for its military and disciplined services in their colonies around the world. The British found the Sikhs most suitable for the army. The Sikhs made enormous sacrifices in favour of Britain during the world wars. The emigration of Sikhs from Punjab to Hong Kong can be traced to the favourable impression the British had of Sikh Khalsa Army during the Anglo-Sikh wars and the mutiny of 1857. The Indian Army revolted but the Sikhs remained supportive and fought on the side of the British Army. The British were deeply impressed by the loyalty, bravery, military and martial skills of the Sikhs. It was then decided to recruit large numbers of Sikhs into the British Indian Army.  Sikhs were sent to fight in Europe without adequate equipment causing many casualties in 1914 while some were posted to other colonies including Hong Kong. The Sikhs were entrusted to safeguard the interests of the British Empire both in India and abroad. These factors and the military deployment of Sikhs overseas altered the destiny of many Sikhs who subsequently settled in British territories in Asia, Canada, USA and other British colonies.  Many of the Sikhs now settled permanently in Hong Kong and other countries are descended from Sikhs who settled there after discharge from the British Indian Army. The Sikh settlement in Hong Kong was formed by the British military postings, government service, relatives and family members of the Sikhs in Hong Kong.

THE SIKH POPULATION IN HONG KONG:
1841 2,700 Indian troops were present at the flag raising ceremony - Ref Books: K.N. Vaid and [TI]*
1844: Thousands of Sikhs were estimated to be in Hong Kong most of them in the Police, Army & Prisons Department.
1860: There were 370 Indians in the Police Force alone.
1930s:.There were over 7,000 Indians in Hong Kong many of them former British Indian soldiers.[TI]*
1950: Few thousand Sikhs arrived from Shanghai and other cities in 1949 after the founding of P.R.China.
1960: The estimated number had increased to around 20,000
2000: The number of Indians is 30,000, which includes about 10,000 Punjabi Sikhs.

POPULATION HONG KONG (Estimate): 1841: 3,000 Est, 1845: 23.817(80% Men), 1860: 94,000, 1870: 124,000, 1880: 160,000, 1890: 198,000,  1900: 263,000, 1910: 436,000, 1920: 600,000, 1931: 849,800, 1945: 750,000, 1950: 2.1 Mil, 1960: 3Mil, 1970: 4 Mil, 1980: 5 Mil, 2003: 6,900,000.

WHY DID THE SIKHS EMIGRATE TO HONG KONG?
The Sikhs were initially sent as soldiers Hong Kong by the British Forces and settled in Hong Kong after leaving the army. They numbered a few hundreds in the Mid-1800's. Most people including the Chinese considered Hong Kong to be a temporary place of abode in the 1800's. Sikhs had their minds set on saving money to improve their homes in Punjab or to buy more farm land there. Living standards improved and many settled in Hong Kong permanently. The employment prospects for the Sikhs were good in Hong Kong. The government employed many Sikhs and the relatives of those already settled here brought the number to few thousand in the early 1900's. Passports were not required before the 1930's and as British Subjects, they were able to travel at ease. By the 1930's there were a total of 7,000 Indians most of them Sikhs. Some arrived in Hong Kong after the communists took over Shanghai and expelled all expatriates in 1949. The number reached 20,000 in 1960 and in 2000 there were 30,000 Indians including 10,000 Sikhs. Like most migrants, some of them wrote home to Punjab, showed off their savings and encouraged their relatives to come to Hong Kong. Sikh were not poor immigrants and, as a matter of fact, most had fertile farming land in Punjab, had enough to eat and live, but it was just easier to make and save money in Hong Kong. The main reason why Sikhs settled in Hong Kong was because the government provided employment as Sikhs policemen and civil servants. The pay was reasonable with benefits. Those who could not join the government became guards for the prestigious establishments and houses of the rich. Having a Sikh guard was the equivalent of having a policemen since most of the Sikhs were policemen at that time. In addition, they were watchful, tall, burly, dutiful and nice, therefore they were very much in demand. There was virtually no unemployment among Sikhs up to the 1960s. In addition to this, there was a large, colourful and vibrant Sikh community with one of the largest Sikh temples in Asia. There was good social interaction and mutual support among Sikhs at different levels. The Sikhs also got along well with the Chinese residents. The British did give considerable preference to the Sikhs in employment during the colonial times and the Sikhs performed well.

HOW DID SIKHS TRAVEL TO HONG KONG
Most of the Sikhs lived in their towns or villages in Punjab before moving to Hong Kong. They was transferred by the Army and others had government job offers. Some came to Hong Kong to seek employment. It takes about 20 days to a month to reach Hong Kong. The journey to Hong Kong was by train from the home village to Howrah in Calcutta, and then by steamer from Calcutta to Hong Kong, usually via Singapore. The fare was about US$30 which was equivalent to about a months pay. The trip left deep impressions on the minds of the Sikhs, especially for those who travelled for the first time. Many lived inland at villages and never saw city life, oceans, boats and the endless new sights.

ONWARD EMIGRATION OF HONG KONG  SIKHS
Most of the Sikhs in Hong Kong have been here for considerable time or were born here. Some Sikhs emigrated further after living in Hong Kong. Most of them emigrated to Canada around 1997. Some moved to England. Elderly Sikhs who held land in India usually retired to Punjab with their savings  Some have gone to USA directly or via Canada. The reasons for further emigration are usually for long term security or stability. In 1903-04 a group of Sikhs emigrated to Canada to work at the Lumber yards and invited other Hong Kong Sikhs to join them and a Sikh community formed. Some Sikhs moved further down to USA and built the first US Gurdwara in Stockton, USA. In 1914 an affluent Hong Kong Sikh Gurdit Singh chartered the Komagata Maru for 376 Sikhs and Indians, mostly Hong Kong retired service personnel,  to travel to Vancouver where they exercised their legitimate immigration rights to settle in Canada, but they were met with unlawful resistance. Quite a number of Canadian Sikhs have links to Hong Kong before settling in Canada.

THE PUNJABI SIKH COMMUNITY IN HONG KONG:
Social conditions were fine especially before the 1960's. There was a large, significant, colorful and vibrant community of Sikhs residing permanently in Hong Kong. The Khalsa Diwan Gurdwara (Sikh Temple) built in 1901 was one of the largest and best Gurdwaras in Asia. The Gurdwara met the religious needs of the Sikhs and was the centre of Sikh social contacts and activities continuously. It was lively and well attended every Sunday. Most of the Sikhs had satisfactory long term employment. The Sikhs were earning reasonable income with housing and free medical. Some even had housemaids and modern amenities. The situation of many Sikhs were better than the local Chinese before the 1960's. Most of the Sikhs were well dressed and fed. They also had influence among the locals because many were policemen and civil servants. Sikhs were most happy with mutual care and support among Sikhs, the enjoyable home visits, hearty talks, drinks and exchanges of information. They were able to return to Punjab regularly to visit relatives and friends. The Ellis Kadoorie Government School was a good school attended by many Sikhs. The Sikhs mingled with the British socially at a general level and competed in sports. Those Sikhs in senior levels occasionally joined the British in social functions and parties. The social life was attractive with hockey matches. The Indian Recreation Club, India Club, Cricket Club had regular sports and social events. Most Sikhs had a side business like money lending, second jobs or some kind of business. These money lenders are not the same as those unscrupulous moneylenders. The Sikhs are licenced and usually lend to shopkeepers or small businesses which were struggling to survive. They do charge high interest because of the risks and many Sikhs lost their hard earned savings. Most of the old timers reside in self owned private properties or flats or have good savings. They were living at various districts all over Hong Kong. The older Sikh residents were on the Island in Wanchai and Causeway Bay. Civil servants had their own quarters.  The Police used to live at Central Police Station for years and at the Fanling quarters. The prison officers were quartered at Stanley. In 2000 working class Sikhs are living at Tokwawan and Tinshuiwai. Quite a number lived in public housing like Tung Yat Lau in Abderdeen. Like the local Chinese, some Sikhs were homesick and not all of them regarded Hong Kong as their home for life. Quite a few  intended to save sufficient money and return to India to improve homes or buy more land. The quality of life for Sikhs declined gradually after the war in 1946 when the police force reduced recruitment of Sikhs, but those who were already in the force continued.to serve up to the 1970's or 1980's. There situation worsened further with the localisation and by 1997 there were only a handful of Sikhs in Hong Kong government service. Private employment of Sikhs were also reduced. The changes in modern social culture and family relationships hit the Sikhs hard. Sikhs social interaction were reduced and family relationships were unsatisfactory. The generation of old Hong Kong Sikhs have gradually passed or emigrated. The younger generation of  Sikhs as minorities under new leadership in Hong Kong would have to find a new path to the future. With globalisation and new opportunities, the Sikhs are expected be successful. The contributions of those Sikhs who helped build Hong Kong from its infancy to the present world city status is recorded in history and would not be forgotten.

RELATIONS OF THE SIKHS WITH LOCAL CHINESE RESIDENTS
The Punjabi Sikhs have co-exited peacefully and harmoniously with the local Chinese community for over a century.
There were no significant conflicts despite cultural differences. Sikhs interacted and co-operated successfully with the local Chinese and in the 1950's and 1960's, there were close social relationships with the Chinese people. However, the interaction with the local Chinese slowed down from 1970's due to tense competition for jobs and the outdated and unrealistic nationalism of the Chinese. The Sikh Chinese social relationships worsened after 1997.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A SIKH, PUNJABI AND INDIAN
A Sikh is a follower of the Sikh religion and usually comes from Punjab in North India. A Punjabi is one who originates from Punjab. An Indian is from India and since Punjab is within India, so some countries refer Punjabis as Indians. Sikhism is the  sixth largest religion, next to Christianity. Punjab is the richest state in India and is known as the breadbasket of India.

WHAT DOES THE NAMES SINGH AND KAUR MEANS?
The surname or middle name Singh (meaning Lion) is given to males at birth. Similarly, Kaur (meaning princess) is given to women. Of course, not all people named Singh or Kaur are necessarily Sikhs. The name Singh is closely linked to the martial antiquities of North India dating back to at least the Eighth Century CE. Sikh forenames are unisexual; the "Singh" and "Kaur" monikers are hence useful in clarifying the person's sex. Additionally, giving the last name Kaur to a woman is meant to empower her: no longer does she take her husband's last name when married. Changing of the last name to Singh (for males) or Kaur (for females) was also decreed by the Gurus so as to eliminate discrimination based on one's family name. By casting off one's family name, every Sikh acknowledges that all humans are equal; that no one shall be treated differently just because of the family name.

WHY SIKHS KEEP THEIR HAIR LONG AND DO NOT SHAVE?
God gave us our hair and determined its length and man should not interfere with god's design, therefore Sikhs do not cut their hair or shave. The turban and uncut hair are symbols of the Sikh religion. However, for reasons of survival and employment in foreign countries, Sikh sometimes are forced to, or find it hard to maintain the traditional turban, therefore some of the younger generation are clean cut but retain their Sikh faith. Women are expected to dress decently and cover up in public. The red dot on a Indian woman's forehead (Sikhs do not have this custom) shows that she is married.

A TYPICAL DAY OF A SIKH AND LIFESTYLE
The lifestyle of a Sikh is no different from ordinary residents. Sikhs are required to start a day clean and tidy and hygienic and most of them follow the custom of taking a bath early in the morning followed by prayers. Breakfast could be anything from Punjabi style of pan-bread and milk tea to salad or the younger ones may have a sandwich with tea. Next they would dress up for work. The traditional Sikhs prefer to tie their turbans neatly which takes about 5-10 minutes. Then off to work and the rest of the day is just like ordinary folks. When they return home after work, they would talk a bit with the family, catch up with the television news, then dinner which may be rotis (Pan Bread) with curry or western food. The younger generation takes western food or rice with Cantonese food. Entertainment are Indian movies or music or westernised audio video. The household chores follow and then off to bed. Sikhs usually like to chat a bit on the when they meet socially or over the phone. Sikhs have a preference for alcoholic drinks and they do get drunk. Every Sunday morning they would go to the Sikh Temple (Gurdwara) for religious services and mingle a bit with folks at the temple after prayers. Sikhs are prohibited to smoke and gamble or take part in immoral activities. What it like to have a Sikh friend? Sikhs are humorous, funny, sporty, lively, likes music, helpful, dependable and loyal. Once you get to know a Sikh well, your life will brighten up.

SIR ELLIS KADOORIE SCHOOL - SOKUNPOO, HONG KONG
The school has historic significance and is one of the oldest schools in Hong Kong. It was originally known as the Ellis Kadoorie School for Indians. It was founded by an Indian Parsee Sir Ellis Kadoorie and was donated to the government.
The government administered the school from 1st January 1915 onwards., The school is well managed and has produced many successful students. The school adequately met the educational needs of the minorities and was attended mainly by Indians, Pakistanis and other South Asians including Chinese.

AN UNHAPPY CHAPTER IN BRITISH AND SIKHS RELATIONSHIP
1981. The British Government removed the supposedly inalienable British citizenship of Sikhs replacing it by an untenable   British Dependent Territories Citizenship (BDTC) causing Sikhs to uproot themselves and scramble for alternative citizenship ahead of 1997. Many were born with British citizenship. The Sikhs are bitter about this after having sacrificed so much for Britain. Nevertheless, Britain restored full citizenship to British Indians who were still in Hong Kong in 1997.

THE SIKHS AFTER THE 1997 REVERSION OF HONG KONG TO CHINA
Not only did the Sikhs manage to survive 1997. As a  matter of fact, many Sikhs are not only making a living for themselves but actually are employers owning restaurants, import export companies, manufacturing, Others are employed by foreign owned companies like security, airlines, trading companies, insurance, banks etc. It is amazing that Sikhs being a minority,  managed to contribute so much to Hong Kong's past and up the present with their small numbers. They managed  to survive the changes and upheavals, make living for themselves and also provide employment. They have managed to steer through the high and lows of Hong Kong .(Gulbir Singh Batra - Sikhnet).