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PUNJABI CONFERENCE

Vishav PunjabiSahit Academy, California

Milpitas,California – 23^rd of August 2004

AOne day Annual Punjabi Literary Conference was organized by Vishav Punjabi Sahit Academy of California on August 22nd, 2004 atthe community center hall in the city of Milpitas, California. The Conference started around 10:30 am with the captivating sitaar-vaadanby Ustad Habib Khan sahib and unveiling of Punjabi Book Exhibition by Mr. JoseEsteeves, Mayor of Milpitas. ProfSurinder Seerat welcomed the attendees and presented a computer presentation onthe goals and activities of the Academy during the past year. Mrs. Asha Sharma invited famous Punjabi singer Sukhdev Sahil to presenttwo Punjabi hymns to complete the inaugural ceremony.

In the morning literarysession, Dr. Gurumel Sidhu read a paper introducing the Punjabi poets ofCalifornia to the audience, which followed by a Short Story session, conductedby Sukhwinder Kamboz and presided by Dr. Sukhmander Singh, Surinder Seerat,Major Bhupinder Daler and Dr. Ravinder Ravi. Karm Singh Mann, Surinder Seerat, Manjit Kaur Sekhon and Surjit Kalseypresented their stories to the audience. Thesession was concluded by Dr Ravinder Ravi’s remarks on the stories read inthis session.

Jagjit Naushehrvi started theSecond Session, after a delicious lunch hosted for the attendees by Jasvir Gillof Virsa Systems Corp. LocalPunjabi singers Sukhdev Sahil, JS Chandan, Sukh and Dharmvir Thandi sang varioussongs by celebrated Punjabi poets. MajorSohan Singh Sandhu (late Punjabi poet Pash’s father) released the first “VishavPunjabi Sahit – 1” magazine published by the Academy. GurcharnRampuri’s book “Mera Safar” was released by Azad Jallundari and Dr GurbakhashSingh Sachdev, poet and publisher Satish Ghulati’s book “Chupp De Ander Bahir” by Dr. Gurumel Sidhu, Noshi Ghilani’s “PehlaLafaz Mohabbat Likha” by Dr. Sarbjit Hundal, Brij Lal’s “AzaadiDa Sanghraam” by Sukhwinder Kamboz, Dr. Sukhpal Sanghera’ poetrycollection “Bhoot Nagri” by SatishGhulati followed by the release of Dr. Gurumel Sidhu’s poetry collection “ShabdaN da Safar” by Dr. Deepak Mamohan Singh of Punjab UniversityChandigarh.

Jagjit Naushehrvi paid homageto two departed Academy members, poet and editor Avtar Singh “SamanduroN Paar” and celebrated music composer and film directorSardul Kawatra. A memorial plaquewas presented to Avtar Singh’s wife and son. In this session playwright and performer Gursharn Singh (India), poet andwriter Ravinder Ravi (Canada), poet and writer Ms Surjit Kalsey (Canada), poetand writer Satish Ghulati (India) and poet Manjit Meet (Canada) were honored bythe Academy for their significant contributions to Punjabi language, literatureand society in their respective fields of work.

A magnificient Kavi Darbarpresided by Janab Azaad Jallundari, Ms Surjit Kalsey, Manjit Meet and Dr. VedVatuk became a memorable event with the presence of about 30 Punjabi andUrdu/Hindi poets who recited their poetry. Punjabi poet Harjinder Kang conducted the Kavi Darbar and presented thefollowing poets to the audience: Ishar Singh Moman, Resham Sidhu, HarbhajanDhillon, Kulwant Sekhon, Dr. Gurumel Sidhu, Major Bhupinder Daler, JagjitNaushehrvi, Dr. Sukhpal Sanghera, Sukhi Dhaliwal, Jang Singh Giani, SatishGhulati, Harjinder Kang, Kulwinder, Surinder Seerat, Shabdeesh, Manjit Meet,Azaad Jallundari, Sukhwinder Kamboz, Sehaj Preet, Farukh Taraz, Dr. JamalHoshiarpuri, Noshi Gillani, Gurcharan Singh Zakhmi, Pankaj, Majit Kaur Sekhon,Dr. Ved Vatuk, Dr. Amrik Singh, Surjit Kalsey, Tara Saagar and Dr. Ravinder Ravi.

Radio host Asha Sharmaconducted a beautiful 2-hour music show presenting singers Sukhdev Sahil,Parmjit and Reinu Singh, JS Chandan, Dharmvir Thandi, Malkit Sandhu and LalSingh Bhatti, which brought the conference to conclusion. A very appreciating Punjabi audience from all over central Californiaattended the various events during the 12-hour conference.

HarjinderKang & Jagjit Naushehrvi, VishavPunjabi Sahit Academy, California

Head office:1925 Los Altos Ave., Clovis, CA 93611, U.S.A.