SAN JOSE, CA: A successful free Medical Legal Clinic at San Jose Gurdwara was held on Sunday June 3.
The function was held in the Gurdwara parking lot, decorated by balloons and flowers. Over 200 People from all over the bay area took advantage of this opportunity to receive services from our leading physicians and attorneys. The function was sponsored by United Front of Indians Abroad and India Pakistan Friendship Society.
Attorney Mohinder S. Mann one of the organizers and a volunteer for legal services said that this was a very satisfying experience and an excellent way for our professionals to serve the community. “I must have talked to over 50 people regarding various topics ranging from credit repair to Immigration problems. I was also delighted to see so many people aspiring to become atomics. I hope I added to their aspirations by pointing out the need for more Indian attorneys in America.”
Mann has been instrumental in bringing the Indians together to work at the grassroots level. Ashwani Bhakhri, founder of UFIA, said that thanks to Mohinder Mann’s leadership, our community is well represented in all local elections including Mayor, Vice Mayor, District Attorney, Sheriff and Council. Mann said that after his election, our community will be in a position to have political power in Santa Clara County.
Dr. Ajitpal Singh Sandhu, a prominent pulmonary specialist from the City of Fremont, examined over 75 people. He said that there was a tremendous response from the community and he was delighted to be a part of such a program. Dr. Sandhu regularly provides free medical service to needy people at Fremont Gurdwara.
Dr. Serbjit Hundal, an eye surgeon from Fremont, needed a dark room for the eye screening. So one of the volunteers, Baljinder Mann of San Jose provided his van to serve as a temporary office. Dr. Hundal was overheard joking that he was lucky to be in the van because all the people working outside got subsumed. Both Dr. ‘Sandhu and Dr. Hundal have provided free medical services through other such medical programs. Dr. Hundal said that it was a pleasure to serve those who otherwise might not have received such care. The need for this service was apparent from the large number of people signed up to be examined by the physicians
Dr. HS. Mangat, a dentist who has offices both in San Jose and Fremont was looking after the dental needs of the community. He said that many of the dental problems can sometime be easily prevented by early detection, and he felt that he may have prevented some unnecessary pain and suffering. He was pleasantly surprised at the response from the public,
Raj K. Bhanot, a Senior Tax Auditor for California was on call to answer any tax related matters. Bhanot declared that if tax questions were an indicator then our community members do not have much trouble with the Board of Equalization. He did indicate his readiness to assist our community businesses by providing basic information aimed at understanding the tax laws.
Kirpal S. Rai, of Rai’s Immigration Para Legal Service in San Jose was able to assist the public with general immigration procedures.
Gurdev S. Mann, Insurance broker with Farmers Insurance Company was in charge of supervising all the volunteers and making sure everything went smoothly. At the end of the program he looked tired but nonetheless his face reflected a glow of satisfaction.
Azad Jullundari, a recipient of 1990 Basakhi De Raat community service award, and Anoop Kumar were busy at the registration desk to make sure everyone was promptly attended to.
Pat Gill, a nurse’s assistant, was consulted by almost everyone for a blood sugar test. She also explained the use and availability of new diabetes machines.
Annie Dandavati, also a founding member of the UFIA, and a Santa Clara County Commissioner was pleasantly surprised to learn that so many of our community woman were interested in becoming involved in local elections issues particularly those such as a child care and equal compensation for like work, issues that intricately effected our lives.
Dandavati said that this function was a great success and we have a clear mandate from our community to continue with our efforts to bring basic services to them while helping them get integrated into mainstream America. We are presently in the process of ‘organizing another community service program on Welfare, Social Security, Medical and other basic governmental benefits available to our community.
The other chief organizers of this event Anoop Mohan, Mohan Gupta, Azad Jullundari, Gurmit Singh, Bhajan Gill were all very happy at the turn out and said they would soon be organizing another similar function in San Bruno area.
Article extracted from this publication >> June 15, 1990
