About Us .  Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago

Thakar Singh Basati

President 1994-1995 (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 1995-1996

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

President 1996-1997

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 1997-1998

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.

Mohinderjit Singh Saini

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.

• Asian Model Family

• ASIAN MODEL FAMILY 2004

• Mohinderjit Singh Saini Appointed to Village of Palatine Zoning Board of Appeals.

• Recognition Dinner

Harwinder Paul Singh Lail

President 2000-2001, 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

President 2001-2002

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

Mr. Sunny Singh Kular immigrated to Chicago, USA in 1989 from Ludhiana, Punjab, India. Mr. Kular is a post graduate in telecommunication from DePaul University Chicago and Graduate in Computer Engineering from University of IL. at Chicago. Currently, he is working as a software engineer with British Petroleum in Chicago.
 

Mr. Kular is a co-founding member, the past President and member of the Board of Governor of Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago. He has contributed a lot to PCS with his hard work and dedication. Mr. Kular served as the organization's President in year 2002-2003.

Mr. Kular’s passion for Punjabi culture and sports started long time ago. Indeed, even in India he was very active in extra-curricular activities. He was a member of hockey team of combined university of India and participated in bodybuilding competitions at the district level.

Mr. Kular is also involved in other Indian as well as Asian American events for last 15 years. He is an active member of Sikh American Heritage Organization. He is involved in organizing numerous punjabi cultural activities in mid-west. Mr. Kular is also a Punjabi folk dancer and has performed at various Indian and Asian American events. He also played the leading role in an Indian play "Dharam di Chader” with world famous artist Mr. Harpal Tiwana. Mr. Kular was also the co-chairman of entertainment committee of Asian American Coalition of Chicago's 20th lunar New Year celebration hosted by the Indian American Community in 2003.

For his volunteer services to the community Mr. Kular had achieved many awards. Mr. Kular was honored for outstanding services as PCS President 2002-2003. He had also been honored by the Asian American Coalition of Chicago with a prestigious “Community Service Award” in Feb. 2005.
Furthermore, for his achievements, Mr. Sunny Kular was presented with “The President's Volunteer Service Award” in 2005 by the President's Council on Service and civic participation sent from Washington DC. Sunny Singh Kular and family were the recipients of “The Asian Model family 2005” award on Nov. 2005. This award was given by Asian Chronicle USA a television program on public access cable.

Mr. Kular is married to Dr. Rimpy Kular,who works in Neurology at Northwestern Memorial Hospital Chicago, IL. They are blessed with a seven-year old daughter Esha and two-year old son Parneet.

Onkar Singh Sangha

President 2004-2005

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

President 2005-2006

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. 

Bhinder Singh Pamma

President 2006-2007

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.  

Amarjeet Kaur Atwal

President 2007-2008

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. 

Lakhwant Singh Komal

Chairman 1994-1995

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.

Dr. Surjit Singh Patheja

Chairman 1995- 1996

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

Chairman 1996-1997

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

Chairman 1997-1998

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 is married Dr. Kiran.

Dr. Gurdial Singh Basran

Chairman 1998-1999

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 Chicago land 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

Chairman 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.

Jaidev Singh Bhattal