“Peace and Unity” was the message at Global Punjabi Milaap Global Punjabi Milaap was held Saturday August 24th, 2013 at Holiday Inn in Mt.Prospect, IL USA in an effort to bring together the Punjabi families who were separated by the partition of India and Pakistan. Many of them live overseas and talk about their childhood memories, Milaap is an effort to connect them with some of their old friends/families who may know somebody from that area. Program was started by Sajid Chaudhry, President of PHACA (Paksitan Heritage and Cultural Association). He welcomed everyone for coming to the program. He was followed by Thakar S Basati, community activist involved in many Social, Cultural and Political organizations. He introduced Prof.Jagindar Singh Ramdev, President of AASA (Asian American Seniors Association). He welcomed the audience and went over how Milaap was started and successful programs that have come out of Milaap. Last year theme was Baba Bulleh Shah and year before that was Waris Shah, The Legend. This year theme was Punjabi Boli Di Saanjh.He introduced Dr.Navdeep Kaur Sandhu who was sponsor of Milaap this year and many times before. She runs Sandhu Petroleum along with her husband S Harjinder Singh Sandhu. Thakar S Basati invited Dr.Deepak Kapoor on stage who travelled from Florida to be part of Milaap. His family also mif=grated from Blochistan area. He is also founder of Maheshwar Foundation , anon for profit organization that runs free Medical Camps in India with the help of Rotary Club and US doctors, nurses. Sajid Chaudhry invited Janab Nematullah Chaudhary on stage. He is community activist here and in Pakistan. Janab Amin Haider also presided.Mr. Haider arranges Urdu Mashairas in Chicago and is very good announcer. Janab Salim Mukhii opened the program by reciting poetry, thanking the organizers and promised to provide more help in future. Navraaz K Basati Owner of NKPI thanked the audience and participants. She also shared a story she heard from her Bhua, how for years they took care of personal belongings of Muslim family who left in few moments hoping they will come back and retrieve them that brought tears to many eyes. Sajid Chaudhry spoke about teachings of all Relgions and said, “They all preach love not hatred as we are supposed to believe. Now time is to move on and try to mend things between two neighbors.” Moment of silence was observed for lives lost since last Milaap. Peace candle was lit asking for peace between India and Pakistan and also in places like Egypt and Syria. Human lives are still lost like in 1947 in those countries, seems like no lesson is learned. Rajinderbir Singh Mago, Ex-President of Punjabi Cultural Society appreciated the efforts of organizers to help bring Punjabis together. Then he shared his memory of his visit in Pakistan when he visited his native village. How wonderful his hosts were, how Mago family felt welcomed by them. Prof. Kulwant Singh Hundal spoke about inner spirit, how we need to control it and don’t let it stray. We should be always trying to help and improve human values. S Gursharanjit Singh also known as Bhaiya Ji or Ramta Gur Singh reminded about his childhood memories how his parents shared stories of partition. He recited his Punjabi poem. Nematullah Chaudhary told few jokes and made people laugh. He said, “We may have political borders but people want to live in love and peace with neighbors. There is more to gain than to loose as we have seen during 3 wars amongst India and Pakistan.” Janab Kaiser Syed recited his Urdu poetry and message again was love and peace not war amongst neighbors. Prof. Jagindar Singh Ramdev talked about Punjabi Saanjh quoting Waris Shah, how his poetry depicted Punjabi life for all Punjabis in the World. His writing is as good as Shakespeare, only difference is that English people feel proud of Shakespeare and his writings whereas many Punjabi people feel ashamed talking in Punjabi. They teach their children other language for false pride and ignore mother tongue. He also quoted meeting Amrita Pritam, famous Punjabi writer who invited Waris Shah to come out of his grave and write about the atrocities of 1947. He also mentioned Baba Bulleh Shah’ writing how they belong to whole world not just Punjabis. Baba Bulleh Shah challenged the current system of hypocrisy and preached love amongst whole humanity. According to Baba Bulleh Shah God cannot be contained in temples, mosques, he lives in heart of all of us.Dr.Riaz Baber read story about how birds convey the message of love. He was the writer, Director of Baba Bulleh Shah play done last year in Milaap. Play was also repeated at Chicago Cultural Center thry Lahore Sister City foundation. Yasin Chohan sang Saifal Malooq, Punjabi legendary love story sung in a special way. He did full justice to the tune. Dr.Deepak Kapoor, a Philanthropist from Florida came specially to attend Milaap. He is close friend of gazal singers Gulam Ali and late Jajgit Singh. Dr.Kapoor arranges medical camps thru his not for profit Maheshwar Foundation. He takes American doctors, nurses’ medical supplies for the camps. His dream is to arrange medical camps in India and Pakistan and organize gazal concert at the border using singers from both countries. Tejinder Singh Minhas,Ex-President Punjabi Heritage Organization sang beautiful Punjabi gazal. His parents hailed from Pakistan and lived in Amritsar after partition. Mustafa Anjum Sahib moved to Chicago recently, he works for Pakistan Consul General here. He recited few hilarious poems and also appreciated the efforts of Punjabi to sit together. He also said, “Solution lies in dialogue not wars.” S Kuldip Singh Turke said,”Punjabi is no 13th language in the world, it won’t go away that easily.” Bibi Surjit Kaur recited her poem. Her husband Late S Ujjagar Singh Gill had the responsibility of rehabilitating refugees after partition. Raja Yaqoob spoke about the need for dialogue between two countries rather than hatred. Both neighbors need to start accepting each other and need to care for its people than wasting money in wars. S Darshan, visitor from India requested the organizers to continue arranging such function; it motivates others to start thinking on lines of trust and peace. He said,”There is no reason why Indian and Pakistan can live like US and Canada. He sang beautiful poem about how we felt helpless at that time, but now is the time to move on. Prof.Jagindar Singh Ramdev introduced Natasha Kaur Singh Sandhu. She spoke about her experiences in college life. She was never close to Pakistani people as media always talked about India and Pakistan being enemies. Then she met a Professor from Pakistan who treated her like his daughter. That changed her perspective of Pakistani people and she became good friend with Pakistani girls and realized that there is so much common between both countries. She asked people to bring both countries together than against each other. Dr.Swaranjit Singh, President IFCAPS, (an organization to resolve conflict thru peace) talked about the reasons of conflict. He also mentioned that nothing really was achieved by partition thru blood shed. Same partition could have been done in a much better human way. Thakar S Basati and Sajid Chaudhry Emm Ceed the program. Milaap was organized by AASA, NKPI and PHACA. It was funded by contributions from local families and friends. Dr.Kapoor invited Milaap organizers to bring next Milaap to Florida. They have already been asked to host in other states like Michigan, Ohio. May be next time we will have modern media help us bring people in from other states and countries. Thanks Thakar S Basati 847-736-6092
Posted on: Sat, 31 Aug 2013 12:01:38 +0000
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