Chicago, June 22, 2009
R..S. Mago
Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago (PCS) organized
its ninth annual “Punjabi Youth Graduation and Scholarship
Awards Night” on Sunday, June 14, 2009, at Vice Roy of India
Banquet Hall in Lombard, Illinois. More than 300 attended. The
guests of honor were the class of 2009 graduates from the community.
The celebration included recognition awards, scholarships,
key note address, cake cutting ceremony, DJ music, dancing, networking,
and delicious Indian cuisine. The participants of “Rangla
Punjab 2009” a PCS Annual Vaisakhi cultural program were
also awarded. The party was free for the graduates and Rangla
Punjab participants.
"The purpose of this program is to promote
higher education among our next generation in a fun environment,"
said Ronny Kular P.C.S. president in his welcome address.
P.C.S. $1000 scholarship this year was awarded to
Dilraj Singh Sekhon of North Side College Prep High School Chicago.
Dilraj won for his high scholastic achievements and also participation
in Punjabi cultural activities including playing Punjabi dhol.
The second scholarship award was a tie and went
to Pardeep Singh Deol of Buffalo Grove High School and Irwinpreet
Singh Bagri of Barrington High School for their high scholastic
grades and participation in cultural activities and volunteering
for community service.
The scholarships were presented by Harinder Singh, President of
Management and Information Technology Solutions, Inc. (M.I.T.S.)
and also the chairman of PCS.
The scholarship winners among the applicants were
determined by an independent panel of judges according to the
marking criteria established by P.C.S.
The Key Note Speaker for the evening was Dr. Diljeet
Kaur Singh, MD, DrPH, an Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and
Gynecology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
and also Director of Government and International Relations for
the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern
University. “Life is finite and short, do not delay telling
your loved ones that you love them,” said Dr. Singh.
Dr. Singh made an inspiring presentation to the young graduates.
She could connect with the youth because she grew up locally and
had participated in local “Rangla Punjab” cultural
activities while in high school. Dr. Singh advised the young graduates
to have fun while learning but stay focused to achieve their dreams,
be selective in choosing their friends who share their dreams
and avoid hanging out with those who would pull them down.
Dr. Diljeet K. Singh was honored by PCS with a plaque of honor
presented to her by the distinguished guest of honor Dr. Surjit
Singh Patheja.
The PCS Chicago recognition certificates were presented to the
graduates by Dr. Rimpy Kular a neurology research scientist at
Northwestern University Medical Center Chicago, who recently received
the prestigious young investigator award at the Gordon Neurology
Conference held in Boston, MA.
Professor Jaginder Singh Ramdev (Retired, Panjab University Chandigarh
India), a librarian, an author, and a historian also addressed
the graduates and the scholarship winners. “You should fall
in love with books,” said Prof. Ramdev, “a nation
who reads is a nation who leads,” he added.
“You are the treasure of our community, make
your parents proud and stay connected to the community,”
said Rajinder Singh Mago, one of the organizers of this PCS event.
All the performing artists of "Rangla Punjab
2009" the PCS Vaisakhi cultural show were given awards for
their hard work, participation, and excellent performances. The
awards were presented by Dr. Jasbir Kaur, Jasmair Kaur Kular,
Prof. Jaginder Singh Ramdev, Dr. Amarik Singh Cheema, and Rajinder
Singh Bains.
The scholarship donors, event sponsors, and PCS volunteers were
also honored with plaques.
The graduates were honored with a special cake cutting
ceremony for them and an exclusive invitation for the first dance
at the celebration party. All of the attendees enjoyed the party
with delicious food, DJ music and dance. The dance floor was jam
packed with young Bhangra lovers till late into the evening.
PCS Scholarships and the Graduation Night celebration
was Sponsored by Harinder Singh – MITS, Taranpaul Singh
Chawla of the Chawla Group Ltd., Dr. Robert Singh, Dr. Surjit
S. Patheja, Dr. Amarik Singh Cheema Periodontal Implant Specialist,
Ronny Singh Kular, Viceroy of India Banquets, and many other community
supporters.
Other community leaders who attended the event are Mr. Happy Heer
President of Punjab Sports Club of Chicago, Lakhwinder S. Sandhu
President of P.H.O. Chicago, Lovedeep S. Dulat, Shivjit S. Hundle,
Jaidev S. Bhattal of Punjab Auto Works, Avtar S. Cheema, Gurmukh
S. Bhullar, Diljit & Mohina Ahluwalia. Punjabi American Youth
Club of Indiana was represented by Rajinder S. Bains, Mandeep
S. Bhurra, Gurinder S. Gill, and Jaspal S. Jassi.
The program was organized by Ronny Singh Kular,
Baljit Singh Sidhu, Balwinder Singh Girn, Baljeet Kaur Sangha,
Sunny Kular, Onkar Singh Sangha, Amarjit Kaur Atwal, Sukhmel Singh
Atwal, Bhinder Singh Pamma, Surinder Singh Sangha, Mohinderjit
Singh Saini, Thakar Singh Basati, Surinder Singh Bhatia, and Rajinder
S. Mago.
The upcoming PCS events are “Punjabi Sports Festival”
in summer, and PCS International Bhangra & Gidha Competition
in fall.
The Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago is a not-for-profit
community organization devoted to promoting Punjabi culture, language,
performing arts, healthy life style and sports, education, and
good citizenship in the metropolitan Chicago area. For further
information please contact:
