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Pb. Education Minister Sikander Maluka in California to meet NRI entrepreneurs and NRI community leaders

Los Angeles, September 06, 2013
NRIpress-Club News by: GSG/CRS/IG/SN

Punjab Education Minister Sikander Singh Maluka was in Los Angeles at the invitation of Gary Grewal, a business entrepreneur. On Monday, Sep. 02, in his honor, a dinner and get together of Punjabis was organized by Rattan and Pam Joea, owners of Prime Time Shuttle, at their residence in Simi Valley.

About one hundred persons from different professional back grounds attended the function. Rattan Joea moderated the proceedings and gave a brief background of Punjabi immigrants arriving in the U.S. and eventually doing well for themselves with their hard work and  dedication, followed by achieving success in their respective fields.  He then invited questions from the audience for the Minister.

“I am very thankful for all the family friends, entrepreneurs and community leaders who took time for the reception of the Education Minister of Punjab at my residence," said Mr. Rattan Joea. "Here is the some Guest Names: Gurdev Dhillion, Manjit Pandher, Charlie Grewal, Amary Grewal, Niranjan Sidhu, Iqbal Samra, Biloo Samra, Bawa, Dr Gurnam Pannu, Gurcharan Bains, Satgurjit Pawar, NRI Press's staff, Ranjit Joea, Jagdish Rathore, Kevin Kaul, Gurwinder Toor, Kuldip Brar, Manjit Cheema, Parladh Grewal, Ranjit Grewal, Reminder Mundi, Mr. Sethi, Inder Singh, Jasbir Tung, Rajeshpal Singh, Gurdas Kehal, Gursharan Nat, Daljit Khangura, Mohit Sood, Baljit Grewal, Mani Sidhu, Mr. Yogi and Mahesh Parekh."  

About 10 NRI professionals asked questions pertaining to education system, jobs, and corruption in Punjab.  
Sikander Maluka  explained the policy of the Akali-BJP government about the education system in the Punjab. He said that continuous emphasis on education has resulted in improvement. Many Punjab students compete and are selected for admission in top institutions in India. For the first time, government schools have shown better results than private schools in Punjab. He also said that the government is aggressively recruiting teachers to fill the vacant teachers' position.

The minister also talked about opening six new schools where top students from other schools will be enrolled. The government will pay for their boarding, lodging and schooling.

The minister said that he has personally made surprise visits to several schools to check on the absentee teachers and teachers who were reported drunk. He has instructed officials of the department to pay surprise visits to eliminate the evil of teachers' drunkenness while on the job and also eliminate the practice of absentee teachers. He has also given direct telephone number to students to call him and he has acted on such calls by either sending an official or even police  if the teacher is reported drunk. The minister was happy to inform that there was significant reduction of absentee teachers. He also said that teachers are scared to go to school while drunk for fear of being arrested by police.

GOPIO chairman Inder Singh had earlier asked question if Punjab Government was building any monument to commemorate the centenary of Gadar Movement. The minister informed the audience that the government was building a monument in memory of all those who sacrificed during the struggle for independence of India. The Gadarites will have  a separate section as a tribute to their sacrifices.

Mr. Maluka further mentioned that NRIs visiting Punjab were always welcomed to meet with him and discuss matters related with any education issues. 

Avtar Singh Zira, Chairman, Punjab State Co Operative Bank, also addressed the gathering.

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On Sep. 03,  Mr. Maluka visited  Fresno Area  to meet NRI leaders. He also  met Mr. Charanjit Singh Baath, entrepreneur, one of the biggest producer of raisins in the world and founder member of of NRI Sabha USA.

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On Sep. 05, Mr. Maluka met NRI community leaders of Walnet, Riverside and orange county at Diamond Bar Restaurant in Diamond Bar city

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About Sikander Singh Maluka:

Sikander Singh Maluka, 64,  was born at Maluka, Bhatinda, Punjab. He is married and have two son Gurpreet Singh and Charanjit Singh. He became MLA from Rampura in 1997 and lost in 2002 and 2007. He was re-elected from Rampura in 2012 and later became Minister for Education and Higher Education & Languages.
He is the president of Punjab Kabaddi Association and Chairman All India Circle Style Kabaddi, Vice President Punjab Olympic Association, Chairman, District Planning Committee Distt. Bathinda  and President Shromani Akali Dal Distt. Bathinda.

CLICK FOR MORE PHOTO AT RATTAN'S HOUSE

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CLICK FOR MORE PHOTO AT DIAMOND BAR RESTAURANT