About Us .
Detailed Bios 2000-2001
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Sukhdev Singh Multani
|
| Hon. Chairman |
|
 Mr.
Sukhdev Singh Multani, a very active community leader, and current
Chairman of Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago, has been a strong
supporter of all P.C.S. activities since it’s inception.
He is also on the board of the Sikh Religious Society of Indiana
serving as it’s Finance Secretary. He has made generous
contributions towards the construction of a new Gurudwara building
in Crown Point Indiana. He is a solid pillar of support to the
community. An astute entrepreneur in the petroleum industry,
associated with US Petro Mart and it’s subsidiaries, Mr. Multani
owns several gas filling stations in the Chicagoland area and
Midwestern United States. Sukhdev’s enterprising and
philanthropic spirit is exceeded only by his humility. Sukhdev
was born in the village of Jalalpur, Distt. Hoshiar Pur, in Punjab
India. He is married to Kamaljit Kaur and has one son Akashdeep
Singh. |
Harwinder Paul Singh Lail
|
| President,
PCS,
SinghP@meau.mea.com (847-837-9047) |
|
 Mr.
Lail was born in an ordinary Kisan family in Distt. Hoshiarpur,
Punjab India. He and his four brothers had to work hard in the
farms because their father being Sarpanch of the village was always
busy with the village activities. Harwinder did his M.A.(English) B.
Ed. from Punjab University and taught for five years in the same
High School in India where he was a student. Sports has always been
his hobby; in India it was Soccer, Hockey and Cricket and in US it
changed to basketball, Baseball and Football.
He came to US
in 1985. He worked part-time with Pinkerton Security from 1988~93
and won Employee of the month award in May, 1992. He started
working with Mitsubishi in 1988 progressing to be their Senior
Production Controller. He was awarded with a special Suggestion
Award in September,1990 and has won several Perfect Attendance
Awards with Mitsubishi. He was the founder member of
Mitsubishi Activity Committee and served as it’s Chairman Year 2000.
He was an active member of HEIA ( Hoffman Estates Indian
Association) in 1996-1997. He has been serving PCS since 1995 as a
Sports Director, Finance Secretary, Vice-President , Senior Vice-
President and now the President. Harwinder is dedicated
to serve the community in a positive way.
Harwinder is
married to Barinderjit Kaur and they have two sons Inder Jot Singh
and Navjot Singh. |
Bhagwant S. Sandhu
|
| Senior Vice
President, PCS |
 Mr.
Bhagwant Singh Sandhu is one of the founding members of P.C.S. and
has served as Finance Secretary and Executive Secretary. He is
actively involved in organizing major P.C.S. and other community
functions. Bhagwant is married to Kiranjit Kaur and blessed with two
sons Gagandeep Singh and Harvin Singh.
|
Sunny S. Kular
|
| Vice
President, PCS |
 Mr.
Kular is one of the founding members of PCS. He has contributed a
lot to PCS with his hard work and dedication. Mr. Kular is also
involved in other Indian as well as Asian American events for last
decade. In India too, he was very active in extra-curricular
activities. He was a member of hockey team of combined University
and participated in bodybuilding competitions. Mr. Kular holds a
Bachelor’s degree in computer engineering from U.I.C. and Masters
degree in Telecommunication from DePaul University, Chicago.
Currently he is working as a software engineer with Amoco. Sunny is
married to Rimpy, who is doing PhD at UIC Medical Center, pursuing
research in cancer. They are blessed with two-year-old daughter,
Esha.
|
Dr. Harjinder S. Khaira
|
| Executive
Secretary, PCS
Harjkhaira@yahoo.com (630-510-2939) |
 Dr.
Khaira is one of the founding members of the PCS. He is also one of
the pioneer Punjabi TV Program Host in the Chicago land area. He has
been actively involved in organizing major community functions. He
is a stage performer (Singer and Folk Dancer) and has charming
personality. He graduated from Govt. Dental College and Hospital
from Amritsar with B.D.S degree. He represented his professional
school in various sports and cultural events in India on a national
level. Showing his leadership ability he served as president of
Punjab Dental Student Association and captained his college hockey
team. In pursuit of higher studies he went to the Prestigious Tufts
University in Boston and earned his D.M.D. degree. He also served as
the president of his tuftonians class. Currently Dr. Khaira is
working as an associate dentist with a large group practice with
future plans of serving the community for their dental needs. He is
happily married to Harpreet (Joti) and blessed with a son Jaskirit
and a daughter Jasmine.
|
Onkar Singh Sangha
|
| Finance
Secretary |
 Mr.
Sangha has been part of the P.C.S team for years and works very hard
for the community events. He served in Indian Railways, before
migrating to U.S.A. He worked in Real Estate and is presently
involved with Collage Fund Life Division of Mega Life and health
insurance.
Onkar is married
to Veerindrajeet Kaur and has three daughters – Jasjeet Kaur,
Baljeet Kaur and Jasdeep Kaur. |
Jasbir Singh Palia
|
| Assistant
Finance Secretary |
 Mr.
Jasbir Singh Palia obtained a bachelors degree in civil engineering
from MIT College in India. After moving to Chicago in 1996 Mr. Palia
continued his cultural involvement by participating in PCS events .
He has served P.C.S. under various portfolios. He is currently
working as field engineer for Soodan and Associates. Jasbir is
married to Pinki and they are proud parents of a 4 year-old son
Raskirth and a 2 year old daughter Gurkiran.
|
Navraaz Basati
|
| Youth
Director, PCS (847-670-1367)
NBASATI@hotmail.com |
 Navraaz
is currently studying for a Diploma in Documentary Film Making at
Film Institute in Noida Delhi India. She graduated from Loyola
University in year 2000. She attended World Punjabi Conference in
Chandigarh in 2000. She has been performing on Punjabi stages since
the age of three and in 1993, at the age of 14, produced an
audiocassette of Punjabi Songs jointly with her elder sister. She
also produced another solo Punjabi Audio Tape in which she wrote and
sang her own 5 songs. She is looking for a Worldwide distribution of
that. She has also produced 2 albums in English with Farid Haque a
well known musician from Chicago. Navraaz has performed in India,
Canada and in many cities around the U.S.A. |
Jaswinder S. Sapal
|
| Youth
Director, PCS |
|
 Jaswinder
Sapal has been a very active board of director since 1998 and has
been coaching "PCS BHANGRA TEAM" since then. Currently he is serving
as Youth Director. Mr. Sapal moved to Chicago from Toronto, Canada
in 1997. Mr. Sapal holds a Bachelor's degree in Electronics and
Telecommunication Engineering and currently working as a Lead
Software Engineer with Motorola Inc. He is married to Ranjit and has
two beautiful children; Sabrina and her baby brother Manik. |
Jagjit S.Dhindsa
|
| Programs
Director, PCS |
 Mr.
Dhindsa has been serving PCS in many ways. Jagjit is a sincere and
very hard working Director, ever ready and eager to support PCS. His
public relations skills have helped PCS tremendously in bringing all
PUNJABIS together to all PCS events. His personal efforts have
brought many talented and world-renowned Punjabi artists through PCS
to Chicagoland area. He is married to Harpreet Kaur and has 2
children Dilraj Singh and Kamaljeet Kaur. |
Bhinder Singh Pamma
|
| Sports
Director |
 Mr.
Pamma belongs to Distt. Sangroor and he completed his BA from Govt.
College Nabha. In India he served as president of Shaheed Pritam
Singh Sports Club in 1983. He played hockey, kabaddi and volleyball.
Mr. Pamma has been serving PCS in sports festival and other
activities since last few years. He is married to Paramjit Kaur and
they are blessed with a daughter Gagandeep kaur and a son Hardeep
Singh. |
Jagmeet Singh
|
| Sports
Director |
 Jagmeet
born in village Diwana near Kurukshetra, Jagmeet obtained his
Bachelor of Arts degree from Kurukshetra university. He received his
associate’s degree in applied sciences from Harper College in 1999.
He is attending SUI (Harper Campus) this year as a part- time
student to finish up his Bachelor’s in Electronics. He works for
Shure Electronics as an associate engineer. He enjoys sports,
singing, repairing video games and computers. He also enjoys to play
his D.J. Apna Sangeet. Jagmeet is married and has two lovely
daughters. |
Amarjeet Kaur Atwal
|
| Children
Affairs Director |
 Amarjit
Kaur Atwal was born in Bolina Doaba, district Jallandar, to Mr.
Harbhajan Singh and Ajmer Kaur Gakhal. Her grandfather was a
retired D.S.P. from Indian B.S.F. She immigrated to the
United States in 1971 with her parents. She is married to
Sukhmel S. Atwal; they have two daughters, Prabjot Kaur and Gurjot
Kaur and one son, Kevindeep Singh. She is serving as youth
development programs director for P.C.S. since 1999. She was
instrumental in starting children’s soccer, basketball, and a first
time community Boy Scout troop, Troop number 999. |
Bikram Singh Dhillon, M.D.
|
| PCS Youth
Coordinator |
| Dr. Dhillon is
an active PCS Youth Coordinator and a member of the Chicago sangat
since childhood. Married to Kushleen Kaur Dhillon, M.D. Father of
three bright and inquisitive children: Divneet Kaur (5 years),
Simrin Kaur (3 years) and Nireet Kaur (1 year old). Parents: Dr.
Nirmal Singh and Mrs. Daljit Kaur Dhillon. Interests: Sikh history
and philosophy, Making Sikhi relevant in the lives of young Sikhs
and alive in the present. Founder and Director of 'The Society for
Unitive Awareness'." |
Gurmit S. Mudhar
|
| Director of
Public Relations, PCS |
 Mr.
Mudhar was born in village Dhanowali, Distt. Jalandhar, Punjab. Ever
since he migrated to US in 1981, he has worked with Julian
Electric Inc. where due to his excellent performance Mr. Mudhar has
been promoted to be their Quality Control Manager . He has been PCS
Board of Director since 1996. Gurmit Singh is married to
Ranjit Kaur & they have a son Simranjit Singh
|
Yadwinder Singh Grewal
|
| Inter
Community Director |
|
Yadwinder has been serving community with PCS since many years and
has helped in organizing many major events. He is very popular among
Devon Avenue community. He is a record setting Weightlifting
Champion at Sports College Jalandhar during 1981-85. Recently he has
ventured into gas station ownership. Married to
Balwinder Kaur, he is blessed with a son Harpreet and a daughter
Navpreet Kaur. |
Sohan Singh
|
 Mr.
Sohan Singh is a graduate from Punjab University and postgraduate in
Administration from Delhi University. He has served as Recruitment
and Training officer with Punjab Government, Chandigarh
administration and Markfed Punjab. He has retired as an
Establishment Officer Consultant Management Policies. He is
voluntarily serving as Principal, of Sunday School of Sikh Religious
Society of Chicago, Palatine, IL, and a partner with PCS in
organizing Senior’s Tea Party. |
Thakar Singh Basati
|
| President
1994-95 (847-670-1367)
dspnjb@aol.com |
 Mr.
Basati comes from a village near Chandigarh, Distt. Ropar and was
one of the first to present Bhangra in PGI Chandigarh. He was the
First President of PCS and has given PCS significant ideas and paths
to follow for its success. He was co-chair of the Asian American
Coalition of Chicago program committee in 1994-95. He is an active
member of Vision in Progress and Focus on Fitness projects in
Palatine. Recipient of Asian American Community award, Mr. Basati
has been organizing Rangla Punjab since 1981 and has been teaching
Bhangra to the children of Punjabi community and taking participants
to perform in Cultural shows organized by communities in other
states. His wife Rajinder Kaur Basati and all three children have
been performing Punjabi cultural items. In Chicago Mr. Basati along
with PCS has arranged to honor top class Punjabi singer Mrs.
Surinder Kaur, comedian Mehar Mittal, singer Jagjit Zirvi and poet
Surjit Pattar. He also organized performances of Punjabi plays
directed by Harpal Tiwana and performed by his troop. Mr.
Basati is also the coordinator of P.C.S. “Senior’s Tea Party”.
He is currently in Real Estate with Prudential. |
Rajinder Singh Mago
|
| President
1995-96 |
|
 Mr.
Mago is the earliest pioneer of Punjabi Bhangra dance in
Chicago area ever since 1971. He is a co-founder of the Punjabi
Cultural Society of Chicago and served as the organization’s
President in 1996. During 1982-84, he was a co-host of
Chitrahar, an Indian ethnic TV show in Chicago. He has also
worked in three full length plays in Chicago with Indian movie star
Anupama Dharkar.
Mr. Mago, is recipient of the 1999 Pan-Asian American Award, was the
Co-Chairman of the Coalition’s 1995 Lunar New Year Celebration,
hosted by the Indian American Community. In 1977, Mr. Mago was
the Co-Chair of the first ever Asian American Coalition Parade held
in Chicago; then again, in 1998, for the second Coalition Parade.
In 1991 Mr. Mago was commended by the Asian American Coalition with
a community service award.
Mr. Mago’s long list of accomplishments includes serving as the
Executive Secretary of the first Asian Festival in Chicago held at
navy pier in 1989. He was also the Executive Secretary of the Asian
American Advisory council to Illinois Governor Jim Edgar and
currently it’s vice-chair under Gov. George Ryan. In 1991-94, he was
an Executive Board member and Vice-President of Apna Ghar.
Currently, Mr. Mago is a trustee and Vice-Chair of the Council for a
Parliament of World’s Religions (C.P.W.R.). Since 1993, Mr.
Mago has served as a member of the planning committee, and
media task force, of the Metropolitan Chicago Inter-religious
Initiative (MCII) of the C.P.W.R. He was the president of Sikh
American Heritage Organization in 1994 and is a long time Special
Events Coordinator for the Sikh American community of Chicago.
Mr. Mago, a graduate of Guru Nanak Engineering College, Ludhiana,
India, is a registered professional engineer with the state of
Illinois and has worked as a Senior Development Engineer with
International Truck and Engine Corporation for the past 27 years.
Rajinder is married to Navinder Kaur and they have three children
Simeren Kaur, Amrith Kaur and Satnaam Singh. |
Manjit Singh Gill
|
| PCS President
1996-97 |
|
 Graduate
of Guru Nanak Engineering College, Ludhiana. Manjit won the gold
medal for being the Best All Round Student of Northern India in the
youth competition in New Delhi. He received Masters degree in
Electrical Engineering from the University of Manchester Institute
of Science and technology, Manchester, England. He is the founder
Director of the first Indian Association in USA “Indian League of
America” from 1972-74. He was elected to the Board of Director of
SRS 1975-1977 and served as Executive Secy. He organized various
fund raising event for SRS from 1975-79.He is the co-founder
director of PCS and President for the same for the year 1996-97.He
is the founder and President of the oldest Radio show in the Midwest
“Jhankar” and the oldest Punjabi Radio show “Raunak Mela”. He
directed and hosted the first Indian TV show “Music of India” during
1979-81 and TV show “Manoranjan” in 1982-84. He owns a state of the
art digital audio production studio. The other awards include
“Outstanding Community Service” by India tribune. He won
professional award for “Engineering Excellence”, ”Outstanding
Performance” & “Chairman’s Award”. |
Sukhmel Singh Atwal
|
| President
1997-98 |
 Mr.
Atwal was born to Jasbir Kaur and Gulzar Singh Atwal of
Phillaur, Distt. Jullundur, Punjab. Received a BSc
degree from Punjab University in 1971. Migrated to Toronto,
Canada in 1972 and lived there for 4 years. Got married in 1974 in
Chicago to Amarjit Kaur daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Harbhajan Singh
Gakhal. Graduated from Roosevelt University Chicago, Illinois with a
bachelor of science in Computing and Information Science. He has
three children; Prabjot Kaur, Gurjot Kaur and Kevindeep Singh and
reside in Northbrook, IL. Currently employed at Discover Card, as a
lead systems analyst in Riverwoods, IL. |
Gulzar S. Multani
|
| PCS President
1998-99 |
|
 Mr.
Multani is one of the founding members of the PCS and has served the
community in various capacities. He has been actively involved in
organizing many Community events. He also served as a Vice-President
of GENCO ALUMNI Association, coached and captained
Bhangra team, which has shown its talents in many states.
style="text-align:justify">He holds a Bachelor's degree in
Civil Eng. from GNE College Ludhiana, Punjab and currently President
of Pan Oceanic Engineering and Construction Company. He is married
to Narinder Kaur and has two children Gagandeep Kaur and Jasdeep
Singh.
|
Mohinderjit Singh Saini
|
| PCS President
1999-2000 |
 Mr.
Saini, an active organizer of Punjabi Cultural, Sikh American and
Asian American events for the last decade. In 1992, he was commended
by the Asian American Coalition with a community service award and
extra efforts award by Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago in 1997.
Mr. Saini is an active member of Sikh American Heritage
Organization, chairman of Ethnic & Cultural Diversity Committee of
Vision in Progress in Palatine and has served Punjabi Cultural
Society of Chicago in various capacities since its inception. A
resident of Palatine, IL, Mr. Saini is “411” of the community’s
database. He is also an active member of Asian American Advisory
Council of State of Illinois Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka. He has
formerly served as an executive, finance and social secretary of
Sikh Religious Society of Chicago, served as Chairman of Program
Committee of 12th annual Asian American Coalition Dinner Banquet in
1995, served as member of Palatine's Quasquicentennial Committee in
1991. Mr. Saini holds a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from
Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College, Ludhiana , a Master's degree in
Civil Engineering from University of Illinois at Chicago, and is
currently a Consulting Engineer with Teng & Associates at Hillside &
Evanston Projects. Mohinderjit is married to Harvinder Kaur and they
have three children Harleen Kaur (11), Jaskaran Singh (8) and
JeevanJot Singh (5). Interestingly all the family members were born
on 10th. day of the month. |
Lakhwant Singh Komal
|
| Honorary
Chairman 1994-95, PCS |
 Mr.
Komal is in teaching profession, holding Principal’s Certification
and have three Master Degrees. He is the First Chairman of the P.C.S.
He is actively involved in numerous worthy causes of the Community.
Mr. L.S.Komal is also a recipient of pride of India Gold Medal Award
by NRI Institute, Community Service Asian American Award recipient
1995, Past President of Sikh Religious Society of Chicago, Elected
member of Local School Council. Happily married to his wife Raj for
35 years, he has two sons and two grand sons. style="text-align:justify"> |
Dr. Surjit Singh Patheja
|
| Honorary
Chairman PCS (1995- 96) |
 Dr.
Surjit Singh Patheja was the Chairman of Punjabi Cultural Society of
Chicago in 1996. He was also the donor of PCS scholarships for
Punjabi youth given at “Rangla Punjab.”
In 1998 Dr. Patheja and wife Harminder Kaur Patheja set up an
endowment to institute Dr. Surjit Singh Patheja Chair in “World
Religions and Ethics” at Valparaiso University in Indiana.
Dr. Patheja a community philanthropist, was raised in Burma and
moved to U.S. in 1964. He was the President of Sikh Religious
Society of Chicago in 1978. Dr. Patheja is also an active member of
Rotary Club International and has been Chairman of World Community
Service Committee for the last 5 years. He has been helping people
in India, Bangladesh and Romania with artificial limbs and hi-tech
computers. He also set-up an ongoing scholarship fund in 1989 for an
X-ray school at Porter Memorial Hospital through the Rotary Club of
Valparaiso Indiana. |
Dr. Gurbachan Singh Kapoor
|
| Honorary
Chairman PCS (1996- 97) |
 Dr.
Gurbachan Singh Kapoor was the Chairman of Punjabi Cultural Society
of Chicago in 1997. He was also the donor of PCS scholarships for
Punjabi youth given at “Rangla Punjab.” He is also the
founding President of Sikh Religious Society of Indiana, in Crown
Point, Indiana." Dr. Kapoor is the Director Dept. of Radiation
Oncology Methodist Hospitals in Gary and Merrillville Indiana. He is
also active in Asian American Medical Association and Indian Medical
Association of North-West Indiana. An all-round community
philanthropist, recipient of many awards, and a strong supporter of
Punjabi culture, Dr. Kapoor was born and raised in Burma and moved
to U.S. in 1968, and lives in Valparaiso Indiana with wife Dr. Inder
Kaur Kapoor. |
Swarnjit S. Dhillon
|
| Honorary
Chairman PCS (1997- 98) |
 Mr.
Dhillon served as a dedicated leader in taking PCS to another level
of accomplishments. He has been supporting all PCS activities since
its formation, well-established businessman and owner of K.B. Oil
corporation. He has Masters in Civil Engineering. He is happily
married to wife Jasbir and blessed with two sons - Darshanpreet and
Jasjit Singh. His son Darshanpreet married Dr. Kiran. |
Dr. Gurdial Singh Basran
|
| Honorary
Chairman PCS (1998- 99) |
Dr. Gurdial Singh Basran was the Chairman of Punjabi Cultural
Society of Chicago in 1999. He has been a strong supporter of
Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago events since its inception. Dr.
Basran is 1967 graduate from Hissar Veterinary College in India.
He is an active member of Chicago Veterinary Medical Association,
and American Medical Association. Dr. Basran was the first Punjabi
in the Chicagoland area to start his own Veterinary practice in
1981. Currently he is the owner of Logan Square Animal Hospital in
Chicago. He is married to Surinder kaur and is blessed with two
children Harpreet Singh and Sandeep Singh. |
Menjinder Singh Bhambra
|
| Honorary
Chairman PCS (1999-2000) |
Mr. Bhambra a successful businessman in petroleum industry was born
in Orrisa, India and migrated to U.S.A. in 1980. He is president and
CEO of M.P.G. Petroleum and Gas Depot in the business of gas
distribution in Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana. He is married to
Prabhjot and is blessed with a son Gagandeep Singh.
|
Darshan Singh Dhaliwal
|
| Patron, PCS |
|
 Sardar
Darshan Singh Dhaliwal, President of Bulk Petroleum Corporation, a
Dhaliwal Enterprises Company, the conglomerate that includes
petroleum production, gas distribution, over 200 retail gas
stations, real estates, banking, farming, sugar mills and motel
operations. Mr. Dhaliwal personifies an American dream come true.
Born in a small village of Rakhra in Punjab, India, in 1951, he
graduated from Government College, Nabha, Punjab in 1972 prior to
coming to Milwaukee, Wisconsin to study industrial engineering.
Bulk Petroleum, Mr. Dhaliwal’s first enterprise originated with a
small gas station he purchased with his own hard earned money,
working nights, while he was going to school when a bank loan was
next to impossible to get in his circumstances. A person of great
humility, his hospitality alone outdoes his generosity. Above all,
Mr. Dhaliwal is a devoted husband to his lovely wife Debra, and a
tender loving father to his three daughters and three sons, whom he
and Debra are raising under Sikh tradition. Mr. Dhaliwal has
supported Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago since its inception. |
Buvdeep Singh and Gurpreet Kaur
|
| PCS Web Master
& Associate Member
pcschicago@hotmail.com |
 Gurpreet Kaur,
M.D. has been a Rangla Punjab participant as well a PCS volunteer
for several years. She completed her undergraduate work
in Mental Health Psychology and Industrial Organizational Psychology
and then Medical School. As a Physician she hopes to provide a
venue for health, social and spiritual support and reform on the
Internet as a part of on going care for the particularly underserved
members of the community.
Buvdeep
Singh, a Software Professional is a Director of Software Development
in a Silicon Valley public wireless company providing Mobile
Resource Management as a service. Their passion for
women’s health and social integration issues has lead to the
creation of
www.sikhwomen.com. They now manage the PCS website as a team. |
|
