CHICAGO: The Punjabi community of metropolitan Chicago celebrated Vaisakhi festival, part of its cultural heritage on April 1, 1995 at a beautifully decorated Center East Auditorium in Skokie Illinois An over flowing audience of over 1500 attended the colorful Punjabi cultural and variety entertainment program show casing Bhangra, Gidha, Punjabi songs, music and skits, Many Songs and dance presentations were simply Superb. “Rangla Punjab 95″ seemed like a classic text book example of developing the next generation to bring them closer to their cultural roots.
Thakar Singh Basati, the president of P.C.S. welcomed the audience. The program was inaugurated by Dr. Gurbachan Singh Kapoor, Director, Deptt, of Radiation ontology Methodist Hospitals, Indiana, who is also the president of Sikh Religious Society of Indiana. The program started with a prayer shabad by the children. Over 150 young artists took part in performances on the stage, The masters of ceremonies were Rajinder Singh Mago, Harjinder Singh Khaira and Manjit Singh Gill.
An addition to the program this year was establishment of P.C.S. youth Scholarship for Punjabi culture, won by Ms, Simrun Gill and presented by Dr. Surjit Singh Patheja. Dr. Kuldip Singh Lall proposed the vote of thanks. Retired principal of Khalsa College Amritsar and retd. chairman of Punjab School Education Board, Gurbaksh Singh was recognized, who called “Rangla Punjab “95” program better than many professional programs he has seen, The four hour program started on time and ran smoothly with an air tight security arrangements by Ginkiacnline denertinent. Many late comers Gould wot get tickets of the door. ‘The program was organized by Mohinderjit Singh Saini, Gulzar Singh Multani, Manjit Singh Gill, Harjinder Singh Khaira, Sunny Kular, Bhagwant Singh Sandhu. Ronny Kular. Sukhmel Singh Atwal, Thakar Singh Basati, Bini Basati and Sonia Babbar. “Rangla Punjab a major annual Punjabi event in Chicago organized by P.C.S. is to preserve and promote Punjabi language and culture heritage and encourage. The educate and harness local Punjabi artistic talent” said Rajinder Singh Mago Vice-president of Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago which is a community organization devoted to promote Punjabi culture and performing arts in metropolitan Chicago area.
Provided by: Rajinder Singh Mago, Palatine, IL
Article extracted from this publication >> June 16, 1995
