PCS Press Release           Contact: Rajinder Singh Mago 630-440-7730
 

 “RANGLA PUNJAB 2007” AN ICON OF PUNJABI CULTURE IN CHICAGO

CHICAGO: More than 1500 community members from metropolitan Chicago and surrounding states jam packed Gateway Theater in Chicago to celebrate Vaisakhi festival on Saturday, April 7, 2007. The festivities kept on going strong from 7:00 p.m. till past midnight. Major (retired) Gurcharan Singh Jhaj of Punjab Auto Works, was the chief guest. Illinois State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias dropped by to wish Happy Vaisakhi to the Punjabi community.

 Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago (PCS) organized their flagship event titled “Rangla Punjab 2007.”  This is the single largest annual Punjabi cultural variety event in Chicago area, in existence for more than quarter of a century, that promotes talent amongst the next generation of the local community and show cases the Punjabi performing arts, Bhangra, Gidha, songs, skits and music.

 “The event is to teach our youngsters performing arts, cultural values, community building, unity, leadership, the spirit of volunteerism, and philanthropy,” said Balwinder Singh, the P.C.S. chairperson.

 Dr. and Mrs. Bhupinder Singh Saini of Advanced Pain Management, Milwaukee Wisconsin were the grand sponsors of the event.

 “Vaisakhi festival is the celebration of ending of harvest season, and beginning of a new year, Happy New Year,” said Bhinder Singh Pamma, PCS president, and he also thanked his board and the organizing team.

Universally popular Punjabi dance Bhangra, Gidha, Punjabi music and songs, comedy skits, and many other items were presented at this stage show. Music was provided by “Tohfa” group of musicians alongwith local young musicians, Kevin Atwal, Sukhi Basati, Deepak Kanda and Iqbaal Lall. “Nachda Punjab”  bhangra team, and “Gidhey Deeyan Raaniya” the Chicago Gidha team mesmerized the audience.

 Amarjit Kaur Atwal, Vice President of P.C.S. Chicago welcomed the audience. The program was emceed by, Rajinder Singh Mago, Manjit Singh Gill, Balbir Kaur, Thakar Singh Basati and Ronny Singh Kular. Rajinder Singh Mago, PCS past president, coordinated the back-stage activities assisted by Kevin Atwal, Baljeet Sangha, Jaspaul Saini and many other volunteers. Mohinderjit Singh Saini introduced the guests of honor, and sponsors who were given awards by the chief guest Mr. Jhaj, the PCS chairman Balwinder Singh, the PCS past chairman Dr. Gurdial S. Basran and Grand Sponsor Dr. Bhupinder Singh Saini.

 “P.C.S.’s objective is to create awareness of Punjabi festivals, and rich culture among our own next generation and also the mainstream community,” said Rajinder Singh Mago, PCS past president.

 “More than 200 local artists young and old participated on stage rendering 28 colorful items. Rangla Punjab show provides encouragement and opportunity to our youth to learn about Punjabi music and dance art forms,” said Mohinderjit Singh Saini, who also sang a song, coordinated a youth Bhangra team item and participated in a comedy skit.

 “All the participants will be honored at "Punjabi Youth Graduation Night 2007," an event on Sunday June 10,  2007, where "Class of 2007 Graduates" will be recognized,” said Sunny Kular, PCS past president.

”P.C.S. will also award $1000 and $500 scholarships to qualified High School Seniors Punjabi students. Devry University is also offering three $1000 tuition scholarships through P.C.S. Last date to apply for the scholarship is May 13, 2007. PCS seeks Sponsors for the Scholarships and the Graduation Night event to be held on June 10th,” said Parminder Singh Ghotra, PCS Inter-community director.

 P.C.S. will be hosting its annual dinner banquet "PCS Night 2007" on October 27, 2007 with it’s sixth annual "International Bhangra and Gidha Competition." P.C.S. also announced their "Rangla Punjab 2008" to be held on Saturday, April 12, 2008.

 Rishpal Singh of Sunshine DJ coordinated the music and Devinder Singh Sangha took pictures of the event.

  "We congratulate PCS Chicago for organizing such a colorful Punjabi cultural variety program" said Dr. Bhupinder Singh Saini the Grand Sponsor of the event.

 The program was sponsored by:

Grand Sponsor: Dr. & Mrs. Bhupinder Singh Saini - Advance Pain Management

Platinum Sponsors: Balwinder Singh - A-One Carpets, Dr. Narinder Singh Grewal (California)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gold Sponsors: Harjinder S. Sandhu – Sandhu Petroleum, American Family Insurance, Jaidev S. Bhattal - Punjab Auto Works,  Menjinder S. Bhambra - Combined Oil Co., Bibi Bhagwant Kaur Sidhu, Jasbir & Lakhvir Sahota - Western Transport.

 

Silver Sponsor: Lovedeep Singh Dulat, Dr. Sukhjit Singh Gill, Dr. Robert Singh, Balwinder Kaur – Gagan Petroleum, Punjabi American Youth Club of Indiana, Western Union, Chicago Children’s Museum, DeVry University, New Punjab Sweets.

Bronze Sponsors: Sunny S. Kular, Jarnail S. Lail - Grainger Inc., Dr. Sarabjeet S. Bhandal, Baljeet S. Sidhu, Inderjeet Singh Sohi (Kalamazoo), Parminder S. Walia, Gurbachan Kaur Shewakramani – Regal Jewel,  Palatine Park District

 

 The event organization committee included the following PCS officials and many community volunteers: Bhinder Singh Pamma, Amarjit Kaur Atwal, Ronny Singh Kular, Baljeet Kaur Sangha, Yadwinder Singh Grewal, Harkirat Singh Sandhu, Parminder Singh Ghotra, Jay Singh, Thakar Singh Basati, Rajinder Singh Mago, Manjit Singh Gill, Sukhmel Singh Atwal, Mohinderjit Singh Saini, Harwinder Paul Singh Lail, Bhagwant Singh Sandhu, Sunny S. Kular, Onkar Singh Sangha, Kevin Atwal, Jaspaul Saini, Jeetu Kaur, Rishpal Singh, Raj Khera, Pete Deol, Lovedeep Dulat, and Sukhi Basati 

 "Rangla Punjab 2007" DVD will be available from PCS for $10 by hand or $15 by mail.

E-mail: RanglaPunjab@PCSChicago.org
P.C.S.’s 24 hour Punjabi hot line Phone: (847) 359-5PCS, Fax: (847) 359-1107,
Or write to: P.O. Box 1244 , Palatine , IL 60078 ,
E-mail: punjabnews@aol.com, or visit P.C.S. Website: http://www.PCSChicago.org

 Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago is a not-for-profit 501C-3 community organization devoted to promoting Punjabi culture, language, performing arts, sports, good citizenship, and healthy life style in metropolitan Chicago area.                                

PCS Chicago announced its upcoming events as follows:

PCS CALENDAR OF EVENTS                             

• May 13, 2007: “PASSPORT TO THE WORLD – India Festival” at Chicago Children’s Museum, Navy Pier
• Apply by May 13th for $1,000 & $500 PCS Scholarships and 3-$1,000 DeVry Scholarships to be presented on June 10, 2007, 5-8pm at “Punjabi Youth Graduation Night 2007” at Viceroy of India Lombard, IL. “Class of 2007” Graduates will be honored, please register your name by May 31st.
• Asian American Festival May 21st thru May 25th at Daley Plaza, hosted by Pakistani Americans.
• “Desi Crossroads” June 20, 8:30pm at Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N. Lincoln Ave, Chicago.
• Kabaddi at Millennium Park, Chicago on Saturday, June 23. 2007, 2:30pm
• PCS Basketball Tournament on Sat. July 14, 2007 at Warren Park, 6601 N. Western Ave., Chicago, IL.
• 13th annual “Punjabi Sports Festival 2007” on July 15, 2007 at Warren Park, Chicago (near Devon Ave)
• “6th Int’l Bhangra and Gidha Competition” at “PCS NIGHT 2007”, October 27th at Waterford Banquets
• “74th Annual State Street Thanksgiving Parade” on Nov. 22, 2007, PCS will participate with a float.
• 25th Asian American Coalition Lunar New Year Celebration 2008, hosted by Pakistani Americans.