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Punjabi Council of Australia Celebrated Vaisakhi in NSW Parliament

Punjabi Council of Australia takes pride to share that Vaisakhi was celebrated at NSW Parliament on 4th May 2011. This was 6th celebration in a row and we really thank NSW Parliament & Parliamentary host Hon Nathan Reese for helping us in organising the event.

Vaisakhi is an important day in Sikh Calendar being Birthday of Sikh Community dating back to 1699. Vaisakhi is also a great cultural festival celebrated in Northern India- when wheat crop is ready for harvest and farmers dress up in bright colourful and dance with the beat of drum.

The guests started coming in from 5.30pm at the Historic Jubilee Hall of the Parliament. The program officially began at 6.00PM with traditional Shabad Singing by Giani Rashpal Singh Ji & North Shore Sikh Youth Choir, Turramurra followed by National Anthem of Australia and India (courtesy Divya Dhingra).

Dr Moninder Singh started the proceedings & Mandhir Sandha welcomed the dignitaries including Leader of the Opposition Hon John Robertson MP, Hon Victor Dominello MP Minister for Citizenship & Communities, & Minister for Aboriginal Affairs rep Premier Hon Berry O Farrell, Hon Amit Dasgupta Consul General of India, Hon Michelle Rowland Federal Member for Greenway, Hon Greg Smith MLC Attorney General, Minister for Justice, Dr Stepan Kerkyasharian, Chairperson of the Community Relations Commission, Mr Amrinder Bajwa President UIA (all dignitaries addressed the gathering). Other dignitaries present were many Parliamentarians, leaders from Indian community, representatives from Sikh Centres Parklea, Turra Murra & Revesby, Cultural Associations & Sports Clubs.Media Representatives present included Rajwant Singh Punjab Express, Anuj Kulshetra Hindi Gaurav, MP Singh SBS Punjabi Radio.

Dr Moninder Singh introduced the Punjabi Council of Australia team i.e. Prabhjot Singh Sandhu, Kulwant Singh, Rajwant Singh, Kamaljit Singh Walia, Balraj Sangha, Mandhir Singh Sandha and Rashpal Singh & thanked the sponsors Avtar Singh Billu from Billus Eatry Harris Park.

Every year Punjabi Council of Australia recognises contributions of members of the community by presenting Pride of Punjabis Awards. This year four individuals serving Australian Defence Forces received the awards namely Charanpreet Singh Anand Australian Royal Navy (Nowra Albatross), Gurpreet Singh Badwal Australian Defence Force (Sydney), Amrinder Singh Ghuman Australian Defence Forces Academy Canberra & Shubhdeep Singh Bhangu Australian Defence Forces Academy Canberra. Sikh Centre committees from Parklea, Revesby & Turramurra (Organising committee of Vaisakhi Street Parade in Sydney on 17 April 2011), Hockey team from NSW (winner of Annual Australian Sikh Games, 22-24 April 2011, Adelaide) & Divya Dhingra (young presenter) were also honoured on the occasion. Leader of the Opposition Hon John Robertson MP, Minister Hon Victor Dominello MP rep Premier Hon Berry O Farrell joined Punjabi Council members in presenting the certificates.

Of course the guests also saw the glimpses of Rich Punjabi Culture. Popular dance Bhangra which is now attaining global recognition was performed by Ministry of Bhangra group. The event finished with light refreshments courtesy Billus Eatry Harris Park.

Events like the Vaisakhi Celebrations at the Parliament House demonstrate recognition of valuable contribution of Indian Community especially Punjabi Community in Australia. The invitation was extended to all other communities and their overwhelming participation proved that Punjabi Community belongs to all and all belongs to Punjabi Community. Presence of guests in large numbers ensured that Vaisakhi Celebrations should be repeated for many years to come.

This year due to elections parliamentary sitting schedule was finalised only 2 weeks ago and we are thankful to everyone who has joined us today at a very short notice. Many thanks to everyone for their support and we assure that vaisakhi next year will be much more colourful.
 

Best Regards,

Dr Moninder Singh
President,
Punjabi Council of Australia
Ph 0413145880
punjabicouncil@gmail.com

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