SAN JOSE: Punjabi-American Business League got off to a re- sounding start with a standing room only crowd, at Taj India Cuisine, in San Jose on October 11, 1991. The business league had its first dinner and dance and installation of officer’s ceremony. ‘The Indian restaurant was packed with a crowd of over 200 people.
The Chief Guest was San Jose Mayor Susan Hammer. In her speech Mayor Hammer acknowledged the significant role the Indian community had played in her recent victory. She specifically mentioned the active roles played by the Chair of PABL Mohinder S. Mann and the Director of the Indo-American Senior Citizen Center, Annie Dandavali.
Other dignitaries included, Santa Clara County Supervisor Mike Honda, San Jose City Councilman David Pandori, Gilbert Galindo from The Office of Aging and several City and County Officials.
Following a delicious dinner served by Taj India, the Board of Directors, for the Business League was sworn in by Superior Court Judge Nancy Hoffman.
The President and Chairman of the Business League, Mohinder S.Mann, spoke about the purpose and direction that the league envisioned. This included the provision of a forum for promoting local businesses and providing opportunities for networking, Mann, said he has already been requested by Indians in cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago and New York to expand the league’s pro- gram in those cities. Mann said that Los Angeles has the largest Indian population and large number of Punjabi businesses and that a similar league should immediately be organized in that L.A. area. The league will allow us to do that which no one person can do alone. It is a way to unite our economic base for a common good.
Mayor Hammer in her speech indicated her support for the Business League and stated her confidence in its success.
Mayor Hammer also stated her total support for the newly established Indo-American Senior Citizen Center. She also said that she was greatly encouraged al seeing the cooperative working relationship between the Indians and Filipinos, in keeping her goals of Unity in Diversity. Annie Dandavati, who is the Director of the program, will be working closely with the Mayor and City Officials.
The Senior Citizen Center in San Jose is open to everyone at no cost it has available two vans to pick up seniors at their homes. The Project is presently fully funded by the Punjabi American
Business League. It provides a place for the seniors to socialize and assistance in adjusting to this society with emphasis in keeping alive our culture and heritage.
The league has 13 Board of Directors who represent a spectrum of businesses and backgrounds. The four officers of the league are prominent entrepreneur Bill Sekhon and Jagjeet Kapoor and leading ophthalmologist Sarb Hundal.
Dr. Vinod Sawhney Chair of the Nargis Dutt Foundation congratulated the league for their se- lection of a fine Board of Directors and encouraged them to attend the annual Charity event on Oct 26 at the Fairmont in San Jose.
Supervisor Mike Honda was pleasantly surprised to learn that League’s member J.P. Singh’s company of Richmond was handling a multi-million dollars contract with the county and was responsible for retrofitting the County’ building in making it earthquake safe. He commented that Singh would next be showing the Japanese on how to safely build their buildings in Japan.
Article extracted from this publication >> October 25, 1991
