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Australian Citizenship: Daughter Lt Kulbinder Sandhu Puran (daughter to Brijinder’s oldest son
In 2015 Brijinder and Kulwant made the (Indian Army 2002-2007) Swinder) described her 5-week basic
full transition to their new Country by Born in the Indian State of Orissa in training as exceptionally challenging. “It
taking out Australian Citizenship. Kulwant 1976, following the Sandhu military was only with close teamwork with my
described their home in Mango Hill “as a tradition was the natural pathway for fellow soldiers that got us through the
beautiful place. We love living in Mango young Kulbinder who after leaving school course and was the major reason for my
Hill and walking around the community.” studied as a computer technician and success” stated Puran to the Mango Hill
joined the Officer Training College in News. Puran is continuing her Reserve
2002. Lt Sandhu served in the National Career whilst taking on a University
Cadet Corps of the Indian Army until 2007. degree in Business and HR and hopes to
work in Cyber Security in coming years.
Gurmehar Sandhu
It would seem that sport runs strong
in the Sandhu family where daughter
Gurmehar was a student at North Lakes
State College, representing the School
and the Pine Rivers District in Athletics,
Soccer and Volleyball and being named as
Sportswoman of the year over two years.
Five (5) Generations Of Sandhu
Family Military Connection: In 2009 Kulbinder commenced a Master of Following her graduation from North
Lakes State College, Gurmehar currently
Accounting degree at the University of Qld
Brijinder knew little of his Grandad Kartar and obtained Australian residency in 2011 works in the Australian Dept of Homeland
Sandhu, except that he was a soldier in with Husband Baljit, daughter Gumehar Security.
the Indian Army in World War 1. Whilst and son Harjas. They first lived in Runcorn
not involved in the Gallipoli campaign before heading over the Brisbane River to
where Indian soldiers served with great live in North Lakes. The family moved to
distinction, Kartar Sandhu made a big the Capestone community of Mango Hill
impression on the young Brijinder many to be close to daughter Gurmehar and
years later as he too joined the Indian parents Brijinder and Kulwant and for the
Army, this time as a sovereign nation. closeness of having a Railway Station in
Mango Hill East.
Brijinder’s Dad, Major Mohinder Singh,
fought in the Indo-Pakistan Campaign Australian Citizenship:
in 1971 which resulted in the eventual In 2013 Kulbinder and Baljit along with
partition of Pakistan and the creation of Gurmehar and Harjas confirmed their
Bangladesh. decision to move to their adopted country
by becoming Australian Citizens.
When Lt. Brijinder Sandhu graduated
as an Officer in the Indian Army of 1962,
tensions on the Indian Chinese Border
were very tense with a month-long
standoff threatening to plunge the region Hajas Sandhu
into a large scale war. Over the next 35 Still at home but enjoying his cricket, 15
years, Brijinder Sandhu would serve in year old brother Hajas Sandhu has gained
Artillery Regiments in several campaigns a cricket scholarship at Nudgee College
including the 1970’s Indo-Pakistan clashes following two very successful years at the
rising to Lt Colonel and Aide de Camp as Lakes Cricket Club in the Brisbane North
a Staff Officer. Junior Cricket Association including a
career highest score of 153.
Grand-daughter (Pte Puran
Sandhu – Aust Army Reserve)
Like Grandfather like Granddaughter. Born
in Sydney in 2001, it was no surprise when
young Puran Sandhu decided to join the
Australian Army Reserve graduating in
January this year. Her reasons? A different
lifestyle, a challenge and the opportunity
to train in communications (Signals)
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