Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago has organised “Rangla Punjab 2017” and was celebrated at Meadows Clubs in Rolling Meadows, a Northwest suburb of Chicago. More than 1000 people came to the sold-out event, despite rainy weather.
Thirty two Punjabi folk dances and cultural performances by teams from Chicagoland and neighboring states of Wisconsin and Indiana were presented at the event. The participants were trained by PCS volunteer instructors and coordinators.
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Surinder Singh Sangha of PCS board of advisors welcomed the guests and the “Shabad” prayer was recited by children from Gurmat School S.R.S. Palatine. Bhangra and Gidha along with the signature Punjabi “Dhol” drum beats and ‘Boli’s’ entertained the audience.
Mementos were presented to the outgoing President Gurmit Singh Dhillon and Chairman Harkewal Singh Lally. Incoming President Sukhmel Singh Atwal and chairman Hardial Singh Deol took charge. Atwal introduced his 2017 Board of Directors and thanked the organizers and supporters.
The Grand Sponsor of the program, Dr. Bhupinder Singh Saini and the Chief guest Darshan Singh Dhaliwal, along with several other Gold and Silver sponsors were honored. Saini, of Advanced Pain Management of Milwaukee, has credited PCS for keeping the Punjabi culture alive.
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The chief guest Darshan Singh Dhaliwal and wife Debra Dhaliwal, of Dhaliwal Enterprises from Wisconsin, has shared the stage with the guests of honor, Indian Consul in Chicago D. B. Bhati representing the Consul General Neeta Bhushan. Pakistan’s Consul General in Chicago Faisal Niaz Tirmizi attended the even along with his Punjabi speaking wife to enjoy Punjabi culture in Chicago.
Rajinder Singh Mago introduced Tirmizi and requested his government’s help in maintaining Sikh monuments and historical sites of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in Pakistan. “After partition in 1947, about 80% of Sikh heritage sites remained in Pakistan, and nearly 70% of those are close to destruction. Those are Pakistan’s history as well,” Mago said in his speech.
By Premji
