At this gathering, Dr. Amanullah Khan explained that one of  the objectives of API is to promote unity among the Punjabi organizations and to strive for a "Lok Lahar" ( a popular wave) for an awareness of the richness of the Punjabi language and its literary treasures. The organization will also strive to preserve this cultural heritage for future generations.  He invited all the like minded organizations to join hands for this cause. The Punjabi Cultural Association of North Texas (PCANT) jointly sponsored this Kavi Darbar.  PCANT President Nirmal Nilvi stated that "because of the maaN boli we have gathered on this auspicious occasion from all over the world and it deserves our support."

 

The hall was filled to capacity and a very attentive and appreciative audience stayed late into the night. Dr. Asif Qadeer presided and Younus Ijaz and Amarjit Dhillon acted as comperes.  The list of poets included: Surjit Patar (India), Dr. Sughra Sadaf  (Pakistan), Karamat Gardezi (Virginia), Dr. Amanullah Khan (Dallas), Iftikhar Nasim (Chicago), Younus Ijaz (Dallas), Shashi Samundra (California), Jasvir Kaur (Dallas), Nadir Durani (Dallas), Tariq Hashmi (Dallas), Amarjit Dhillon (Dallas), Povinder Kaur (Dallas), Rabinder Singh (Dallas), Afzal Firdous (Houston).