"P.C.S. Chicago International Bhangra and Gidha Competition 2007" an Awesome Affair.

"Rooh Punjab Di" Toronto Wins Bhangra and "Raunak Vehre Di" Vancouver Canada Wins Gidha Championship.

P.C.S. Board 2007-08 installed, Amarjit Kaur Atwal takes over as President of Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago at "PCS Night 2007."

Chicago: Chicagoans had a treat of their lifetime at "PCS Night 2007" Dinner and Dance Banquet on Saturday, October 27, 2007, at the prestigious Ballroom of Waterford Banquets and Convention Center, Elmhurst Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. The event turned out to be a magnificent showcase of Punjabi folk dances Bhangra and Gidha in colorful costumes.  This 6th. International Bhangra and Gidha Dance Competition organized by Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago (www.PCSChicago.org), was attended by more than a thousand Punjabi, non-Punjabi and local audience.

 “This was one of the best functions I have ever attended during my 30 years in Chicago area. I never had so much fun in my life. What a way to display the culture. Punjabi community got it together. I salute P.C.S. and the organizers and also Darshan Singh Dhaliwal who is a force behind it in keeping the culture alive,” said Amrish Mahajan of Mutual Bank and also a Chicago Indian American community leader.

 Darshan Singh and Debra Dhaliwal of Bulk Petroleum Corp. Wisconsin were the chief guests and the Grand Sponsors of the “PCS Night 2007”.

"I am pleased to see that our cultural heritage has taken root in this country, and is in good hands of our next generation," said Darshan Singh Dhaliwal after he saw more than 200 young university students, and professionals from all over USA & Canada competing in this P.C.S. event in Chicago.

"We are humbled by such an out pouring of support from our community and the competing teams at this mega event. The whole P.C.S. Chicago team put in their best effort to make this incredible event a huge success. It was like planning a grandiose wedding with 250 in the wedding party and more than a 1000 guests," said Bhinder Singh Pamma, the outgoing P.C.S. President.

Sixth Annual PCS Chicago International Bhangra and Gidha Competition an amazing event.

Fifteen Bhangra and Gidha teams from Harvard University, Northwestern University, University of Georgia, Emory University, Toronto and Vancouver Canada, Texas, Massachusetts, Georgia, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Illinois were placed to compete for the honors at this competition.  Bhangra has caught on to international liking as was evident from the fact that many of the college teams participants were non-Punjabis including many local Americans and Pan-Asian Americans.

 The program was jointly emceed by Navraaz Kaur Basati, a film maker, singer, and radio announcer, and Rajinder Singh Mago, a Punjabi Indian community service anchor in Chicago area for more than 36 years, who is commonly credited with promoting Bhangra and Punjabi culture in Chicago.

 "Rooh Punjab Di" Bhangra dance team from Toronto, Canada a highly traditional team with a superb live performance won the championship first place trophy and $3,500 cash award. The second place trophy with a cash award of $1,500 sponsored by S. Inderjit S. Sohi of Kalamazoo, MI.  was won by “Kohinoor Bhangra Group” also from Toronto. A young, energetic, and creative "Bull Dawg Da Raj" team from University of Georgia at Athens won the 3rd position trophy and $1000 cash at this "6th Annual PCS Chicago International Bhangra Competition."

 Other competing Bhangra teams who gave electrifying performances were: “Northwestern University” Bhangra – Evanston, Illinois, “Karma” Bhangra - Emory University – Atlanta Georgia, “Harvard Bhangra” – Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, and “The Bhangra Element” – Indianapolis, Indiana.

 “By the end of the evening when I went to bed, my adrenalin was still flowing and heart pumping as though I had jumped on stage too. The energy level was amazing, “ said Ms. Yin Kean, a Malaysian American in the audience.

"Raunak Vehre Di" a Gidha dance team from Punjab Cultural Club Surrey, BC Canada who stormed the stage with a dashing traditional performance and elaborate authentic Punjabi props bagged the Gidha championship trophy and $3,500 cash award. "Rooh Punjab Di Gidha" from Toronto Canada won the 2nd place trophy and $1,500. "H.K. Gidha" from Dallas, Texas won the 3rd place trophy and $1000 cash award.

Other competing Gidha teams were: “Dhamak Punjabna Di” Gidha – Toronto, Canada,  “Giddhe Diyan Raaniyaan” – Chicago,  “Koonjan” Gidha – Toronto, Canada, “Nachdian Mutiaraan” Gidha – Patiala Gidda & Dance Academy, Toronto, Canada, “Punjabana Di Ruh Gidha” - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

"We were in awe of the talent present at this competition. Rooh Punjab Di is always proud to showcase Punjabi Folk culture and PCS offered a wonderful opportunity. The organizers were extremely generous hosts and our experience was one to remember. The girls had a fantastic time on and off stage!" said Deepa Sarao Kullar captain of “Rooh Punjab Di Gidha” from Brampton Ontario Canada.

 “If Punjabi Bhangra and Gidha has attained international recognition, it is because of your sincere efforts at this grass root level. The P.C.S. richly deserves congratulations for this performance. My praise goes to the Judges, who faced the difficult task of selecting the winners.  I was very impressed with the teams of  boys and girls, all of them were extremely talented.  I eagerly look forward to the next P.C.S. event,” said Prof. Jaginder Singh Ramdev a retired but very active educationist.

Mohinderjit Singh Saini, PCS Board of Governor announced the Gidha competition results and also honored the major sponsors.

 All the teams which competed but were not placed won a $200 each special prize sponsored by Mohina and Diljit Ahluwalia. More than $25,000 cash incentives was disbursed by PCS Chicago amongst competing Bhangra & Gidha teams. Teams traveling farther than 250 miles were given $500 travel allowance, boarding and lodging, local transportation and hospitality to all out of state teams were also provided by P.C.S.

“It was madd fun chillin with HK Giddah, Rooh, Kohinoor, and the PCS staff.  One of the best environments for a competition ever.  Family atmosphere, encouragement, promotion of culture...great overall show.” said Shawn Tucker of Bulldawg Da Raj Bhangra team from Georgia.

 Host of 2008 Asian American Coalition of Chicago, the Pakistani American Community represented by Yunus Suleman and Sadruddin Noorani were also honored at the event with a plaque.

"Our PCS team is working very hard to promote and share our Punjabi culture with mainstream through this and many other PCS programs, please donate generously to make its community center dream come true," said Balwinder Singh, the outgoing PCS chairman.

 "I am honored to be the chairman of P.C.S. Chicago, and I will do my best to support all the P.C.S. events. The organization is already doing a great job representing the Indian American community in mainstream," said Jarnail Singh Lail the new P.C.S. chairman for 2007-08.

"I am sure our PCS Officials team will take P.C.S. to still a higher level of community service in coming years," said Amarjit Kaur Atwal the newly appointed president of P.C.S. Chicago.

"We are promoting the traditional Punjabi dance form and authenticity in their performance at this competition, " said Rajinder Singh Mago, the P.C.S. Chicago International Bhangra and Gidha competition coordinator, "but we need to encourage and inspire those participants who are born here and have never lived in Punjab," he added.

 Sunny Kular, Harwinder Pal Singh Lail and Ronny Kular honored the sponsors of the event. Onkar Singh Sangha, Baljeet Kaur Sangha and Bhinder Pamma helped out with facilities, and hospitality.

 The new 2007-2008 P.C.S. board was introduced by Thakar Singh Basati with Amarjit Kaur Atwal as president along with Jarnail Singh Lail as honorary chairperson, Ronny Kular Vice President, Baljeet Kaur Sangha -Executive Secretary, Harwinder Pal Singh Lail -Finance Secretary, Yadwinder Singh Grewal and Parminder Singh Ghotra – Sports Directors, Baljit Singh Sidhu - Youth Director, and Balwinder Singh Girn  - Inter-Community Director.

Harkirat Singh Sandhu was honored at his retirement from active duty. Bhinder Singh Pamma the outgoing president and his family, and Balwinder Singh the outgoing chairman  were honored for their outstanding services to the community through PCS.

In addition to the current board members, the PCS Board of Governors (PCS Founding members & also past presidents) Thakar S. Basati, Rajinder S. Mago, Manjit Singh Gill, Sukhmel S. Atwal, Mohinderjit S. Saini, Bhagwant S. Sandhu, Sunny S. Kular, and PCS Board of Advisors (active PCS past presidents) Harwinder Paul S. Lail and Onkar Singh Sangha helped organize this mega event.

 Some of the coordinators and volunteers who helped are Kevindeep S. Atwal, Lovedeep S. Dulat, Pardeep S. Deol, Surinder S. Bhatia, Rishpal Singh, Jaswinder S. Sapal CA, Jasbir S. Palia, Darshan S. Grewal, Jackie S. Dhillon, Nimrata K. Singh, Maninder S. Walia, Johnjit S. Shergill, Sajid Choudhary, Baljinder Gill B.C. Navjot Madray ONT, Gurpreet S. Kullar ONT, Deepa Kullar ONT, Rajnish Kumar ONT, Jaspreet K. Brar ONT, Sarita Karwal ONT, Rupinder K. Sandhu TX, Kunal Raygor MA, Shawn S. Tucker GA, Thalvinder Sangha GA, Navdeep Singh IN, Jeevan Jyot Sandhawalia WI, Anirban Sahu and Satwinder Kaur IL.

The GRAND SPONSORS were Dr. & Mrs. Bhupinder Singh Saini - Advance Pain Management Wisconsin.

The PLATINUM SPONSORS were Dr. & Mrs. Narinder Singh Grewal of Dhandra Investments California.

The GOLD SPONSORS were Sunny S. Kular, Beant Singh Boparai – Triple Transport Milwaukee, Dr. Surjit Singh Patheja, Sukhjit Singh Dhillon, Air India , Harjinder Singh Sandhu – Sandhu Petroleum, Taranpaul S. Chawla – The Chawla Group, Punjabi Cultural Society of Indianapolis, Inderjit Singh Sohi – Kalamazoo , Mona and Diljit Ahluwalia.

The SILVER SPONSORS were Jarnail S. Lail - Grainger Inc, Jaidev S. Bhathal - Punjab Auto Works, Kuldip Singh Turke, Gurvinderpal Singh Gakhal, Gurmit Singh Saini – Skyway Travels, Toronto Canada, Gurbachan kaur Shiwakarmani – Regal Jewels, Surinder Singh Palia – Harsimran Corp, Jasbir S. Palia – JP Metro Mart, Bhinder Singh Pamma, Jagjit S. Dhindsa, Lovedeep Singh Dulat, Vikramjit Singh WI., Manjit S. Dhillon WI., Jasvir S. Sahota - Anchor Transportation, Baljit Singh Sidhu, Harkirat Singh Sandhu, Jasbir Singh Dhaliwal, Tarwinder Singh Soos, Jasvir S. Kaler – Singh Grocers, Mickey Kahlon – Transworld Logistics, Punjabi American Youth Club of Indiana, Surinder K. Jain – Viceroy of India Restaurants, Sarabjit Singh Saini, Harkewal Singh Lally and Jagdev Singh Khera (American Air Freight), Sher-a-Punjab Sports and Culture Club of Chicago, Pakistani American Community (AACC), Menjinder S. Bhambra – Combined Oil Inc., Paul S. Dandona – Goddard School of Bloomingdale and Western Union.

 
Delicious Indian culinary cuisine was catered by Surinder Kumar Jain of Viceroy of India Restaurants. After the competition the Bhangra lovers danced to the DJ bhangra music and live Punjabi Dhol beats past midnight.

 The photos were taken by Devinder Singh Sangha and the video was filmed by Indermohan Singh. 

 PCS has acquired a cultural booth and will present Bhangra dance performances on the main stage at NBC Travel Expo at Navy Pier Chicago on November 10 and 11, 2007.

PCS will be participating with a float and dancing unit in 74th. State Street Thanksgiving Day Parade in Chicago on Thursday, November 22nd, 2007 to be televised live by ABC TV channel 7. http://www.pcschicago.org/mainstream/Parade04/index.htm

Other P.C.S. programs include:  "Rangla Punjab 2008," scheduled for April 12, 2008 at Gateway Theater in Chicago and "Punjabi Sports Festival 2008," planned for the summer of 2008. "Scholarships" for Punjabi youth will be awarded at the "Punjabi Youth Graduation Night 2008" in June 2008.

The Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago is a not-for-profit community organization managed by volunteers devoted to promoting Punjabi culture, language, performing arts, education, sports, healthy life style, and good citizenship in the metropolitan Chicago area. For further information please contact:

Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago
P. O. Box 1244, Palatine, IL. 60078
(847) 359-5PCS, Fax# (847) 359-1107
e-mail info@PCSChicago.org
www.PCSChicago.org