Sikh Celebrations by Foreign Governments

In foreign countries, even the Governments are recognizing Sikhs, their language and culture and are associating with us in promoting the same. For example, In November 2018, Indian High Commission in London celebrated Punjab Divas for the first time. S. Charanjeet Singh, the High Commissioner delivered his speech in Punjabi and appreciated the Punjabis who have won name and fame all over the world. He further stated that High Commission team will start providing various services by visiting Gurdwaras. He added that 550th Birth Anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji will be celebrated by the High Commission on big scale. A cultural programme was also presented on this occasion. Many prominent Punjabis including Lord Ranbir Singh Suri and Member of Parliament Sh. Ravinder Sharma attended this function. Others who were present on this occasion included Eiling Mayor Tajinder Singh Dhami, Slough Mayor S. Harinderpal Singh Sohal, and Hounslow Mayor Samya Choudhury. Gurpurabs are also celebrated by Governments of USA, Canada and U.K.
We have made a mention of many such celebrations in the last chapter we will now refer to some other organisations which are working for promoting our heritage and culture in different ways.

Global Punjabi Milap

In the Midwest region of USA, a unique organisation called Global Punjabi Milap has been promoting Punjabiyat through various interesting events since 2003. Thakar Singh Basati, a Sikh American of Indian origin and Sajid Choudhry, a Muslim American of Pakistani origin, have effectively reached out to expatriates of Punjabi heritage from the Indo-Pak subcontinent. Global Punjabi Milap is supported by Asian American Seniors’ Association, Navraaz K. Productions Inc. and Pakistan Heritage and Cultural Association.
From time to time, the GPM has highlighted topics like Punjab di Saanjh, Legend of Waris Shah (the creator of Heer-Ranjha), Baba Bulleh Shah, Riwaz Punjab De and Baba Sheikh Farid. Also, the GPM had organized a special event sometime back to release an amazing book titled Lost Heritage: The Sikh Legacy in Pakistan by Singapore-based Amardeep Singh.
The GPM has succeeded to a great extent in bringing together many Sikh and Muslim residents of the Midwest for the common cause of promoting Punjabiyat. This organization is also endeavouring to connect the younger Punjabi generation with its glorious history and rich heritage.

International Punjabi Society

After extensive deliberations amongst the representatives of India, USA, Canada, UK and Thailand, International Punjabi Society was born in New Delhi in 1968 to celebrate, preserve and develop the Punjabi cultural heritage while living within a variety of multi-cultural environment. Mehraban Singh Dhupia was the Founder General Secretary and Giani Gurmukh Singh Musafir as the Founder President of the Society.
A purely social and cultural organisation without any political or religious stance, the IPS has opened its branches throughout the world; the important overseas branches are located in countries like USA, Canada and UK. These branches have played a significant role in bringing about great affinity amongst Punjabis settled all over the world by organizing important functions aimed at promoting eternal fraternity.

Marco Foundation:

Marco Foundation based at A-83/4, Naraina Industrial Area, Phase-I, New Delhi is a registered organization vide S.N. 205 with Sub-Registrar, Sarojini Nagar, New Delhi. It was started to carry on the research on ancient Sikh Manuscripts and help economically weaker sections.
The foundation extended its activities by creating Marco Foundation helping hand group on whatsapp for helping the Sikh Sikligars and Vanjaras who had been living in poor miserable conditions. When the law agencies started treating these poor people as criminals for making weapons which they have been making since the times of the Gurus, many of them were arrested and put behind the bars. With the help of some Sikhs in England lawyers were engaged and bails were arranged. Even after they were released, they got so terrified that most of them stopped any kind of manufacturing activity. This resulted in abject poverty and no jobs for them.
When S. Rupinder Singh along with others visited their villages, he found that their houses were in pathetic state. There was no roof on their huts and no food to eat. In his words “After visiting many villages, I could not take food on my table in an A.C. house. Their poverty and helplessness haunted me. I didn’t deserve this luxury when so many Sikh children go to bed in a roofless hut without food”. But what he saw as detailed above we have created “Marco Foundation Helping Hands”. Marco Foundation and its field workers went through requirements of these down troddenand created our jobs and education of kids. Their motto is to arrange jobs and education and no charity”. This organization does not accept cash from the donors had doesn’t pay cash, rather requests them to adopt the child and pay fee directly to school. The list of the children requiring help is informed to the members who join this group of helpers and this list is updated from time to time. Thus these down trodden people are helped in a respectful manner keeping in view their Sikh dignity and not treating them as beggers. They are in Puran Khalsa Swarup and thus, it is the duty of all to help them and enable them to stand on their feet.
Marco Research Foundation: bears Registration No. 316 in book – 4, Vol. No. 1693. It specifically deals with the preservation of old manuscripts and hand written Pawan Birs. Their work in this regard is reflected in the publication ‘HathLikhat Prachin Biran Di Parikarma by S. Manohar Singh Marco’. This was the first part of this collection and the project is still continuing to be completed with the publication of two more volume where-in record of around 400 hand written Pawan Birs is published with photographic record. It’s founder S. Manohar Singh Marco has preserved more record, of rare handwritten documents related to Sikh history, than any University. One can learn more about this organization on U-Tube under the title “Rupinder Singh Marco”, “S. Manohar Singh Marco” and “Marco Research Foundation”. Mr. Rupinder Singh listed as one of 500 internationally known Sikh role models. Mrs. Sudarshan Kaur Marco is the President of this organization and S. Rupinder Singh Marco (rupindersmarco@gmail.com) is Secretary and is listed in the publication “500 Sikh Role Models”, is also associated with International Sikh Heritage Centre.

International Sikh Heritage Centre:

This organization with office at 74, Scindia House, Connaught Place, New Delhi is registered under the companies act vide No. 09231 DL 2004 NPL 126327 in the year 2004. One of it’s main objects is to make people aware of Sikh Heritage by publishing literature.
They have published a number of books in this regard, the most important being “Sikh Heritage through Stamps”. This book has been edited by S. Rupinder Singh Marco, who is one of the Directors of the Company. This book is a rare addition to the Sikh Heritage literature. In addition to the publication of books, this organization with S. Balbir Singh Kohli as it’s President and S. MPS Chadha as it’s Secretary, is also engaged in such activities which help in preserving the Sikh Heritage.

World Punjabi Organisation

World Punjabi Organisation is an international body of prominent Punjabis to bring about “Punjabi Renaissance”. It is a non-Political body of Prominent Punjabi Industrialists, Businessmen, Sportsmen, Journalists, Artists and achievers in other fields from all over the Globe. It was formally launched on 10th January 1998 by Shri I.K. Gujral, the then Prime Minister of India. It is actively engaged in promoting Punjabi Brotherhood, folk & culture to foster social, economic and cultural bondage among Punjabis staying over hundred countries of the world and have undertaken many projects.

WPO has achieved various milestones by undertaking multifarious activities all over the world to provide an insight into the inherent dynamism and vitality of Punjabi culture and heritage. The organisation has its chapters all over the world, consisting of eminent personalities which give the requisite advice and guidance to the organisation to achieve its aims and objectives. Few of its activities organized regularly over the years in the field of Cultural, social, educational, spiritual and recognition of eminent achievers in various fields have attracted the world attention. The organisation has organised a large number of functions at national and international level for the benefit, interaction and glorification of Punjabis living anywhere in the world. These functions include mega shows, health and blood donation camps, artists nights, fashion shows, film shows, Gurpurab celebrations and award functions recognising the Punjabi achievers in respective fields. In addition to these activities charitable works are also undertaken. Mention in this regard may be made of the scholarships which have been given to hundred students from poor families. A prominent function organised by them was the launch of ‘Jewels of Punjab’ – a Coffee Table book. This book was released on 14 August 2017 at the Ashok, New Delhi by Dr. Manmohan Singh, Former Prime Minister of India. A light and sound show ‘SARBANS DANI ‘ was organized on 26th January 2018 at Bhai Mati Das Chowk Gudwara Sis Gang Sahib Delhi. The organization also celebrated Baisakhi recently, where in Punjab Ratan Award was conferred on First Sikh Chief Justice of India Justice J.S. Khehar. S. Vikramjit Singh Sahni (M: 9810061111) is the International President of this organisation. The contact details of the organization are address is 7th Floor, Le Meridien, Commercial Tower, Raisina Road, New Delhi-110001, email is wpo@worldpunjabi.org and PH: +91-11-42717132-28.

International Punjabi Society

This society was brain child of S. Gurbchan Singh Gill of UK, who had thought of starting organization and forum for promoting and safeguarding the interests of Punjabis living in India and abroad. It took a final practical shape during a meeting and extensive deliberations amongst the representatives of USA, Thailand, Canada, UK and India. Shri Meharban Singh Dhupia, Dr. A. S. Marwaha of Los Angeles, Shri Gurbachan Singh Gill of U.K., Late Shri J. S. Premi of New York and Mr. Asa S. Johal of Vancouver (Canada) represented their sides. For all its tryst with glory an International level organization of Punjabis for community services came into being in the year 1968, christened as “International Punjabi Society”. Shri Meharban Singh Dhupia had the distinction of being first Honorary General Secretary with Late Giani Gurmukh Singh Musafir as its President. Similarly, branch offices were established in different countries to coordinate the activities for promotion of love and brotherhood amongst the Punjabis settled all over the globe and had their mark felt by making big strides towards progress and economic resurgence of the countries of their domicile without in anyway losing their identity and ideals. Thus, with this golden opportunity the single common platform and forum for the Punjabis came into existence to safeguard the unique traditions that our society has embraced. International Punjabi Society has afforded opportunities to all the members and its constituents to celebrate, preserve and develop their cultural heritage while living within a variety of multicultural environment. All the branches of IPS in India and abroad are engaged in bringing about great affinity amongst Punjabis settled all over the world by doing commendable job of promoting eternal fraternity. The society celebrates its annual anniversary and convention at different centres in India and abroad alternatively. To make these functions successful and purposeful numerous delegates from overseas come to India to take active part in the much acclaimed celebrations and vice-versa. The enthusiasm generated at these gettogether is seen to be believed. This encouragement is a great source of pride of all concerned. At annual conferences held regularly, the functions are graced and presided over by high dignitaries of the stature of head of the country, the Prime Minister, Hon’ble Ministers, Governors and Chief Ministers. The functions abroad are likewise inaugurated and visited by high dignitaries of the respective countries. It also celebrates occasions like Vaisakhi and Prakash Purav of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Seminars are also arranged wherein renowned Punjabi scholars, intellectuals with their pearls of wisdom and brilliant ideas contribute towards the furtherance of punjabiat, brotherhood and enhancement of our rich culture. The contact details of the organization are address is IPS House, 48, Ring Road, Lajpat Nagar – 3, New Delhi – 110 024, India, Email
is ips@internationalpunjabisociety.com, internationalpunjabisociety@gmail.com and contact number is +91-11-29841766.
This society is engaged in bringing about great affinity amongst Punjabis settled all over the world by promoting the Punjabi language, literature, culture, folklore, dance and drama. The Annual World Convention of the International Punjabi Society 2008 was a high voltage event which was graced by celebrities and nearly three hundred NRIs and delegates from Canada, Toronto, UK and US, who participated in the proceedings, which also included cultural programmes and Punjabi folk dances.

Global Punjabi Society

Global Punjabi Society was launched on 8th January 2010 at New Delhi. The launch function was meant to honour outstanding Punjabis of the World by the then Union Minister of State for external affairs Smt. Preneet Kaur. As the persons to be honoured were with outstanding achievements, the function was attended by High dignitaries like S. Tarlochan Singh, Member of Rajya Sabha at that time and Late S. Arjan Singh, Marshal of Indian Air Force. S. Tarlochan Singh Said that “Global Punjabi Society is a platform to celebrate our achievements and feel proud of our heritage.” Punjab is the land of origin of ancient civilizations of Harappa, Mohenjodaro and birthplace of ancient scholars and thinkers of India, the veteran politician said. Punjab has given two Nobel Prize winners and took immense pride in the big honour conferred to Sir Judge Mota Singh who was recently knighted by the Queen. He called the present generation who have greater privileges than their parents to work hard and maintain the Punjabi culture and Punjabi heritage. When the society was launched Shri. Joginder Singh former CBI director was chairman and S. Jagmohan Singh founder of this society, became its Secretary General. S. Jagmohan Singh clarified that “looking at the encouraging response from the global Punjabis has given him the enthusiasm to dedicate himself for the aim and objectives of the society that is to strengthen the bonds of Punjab, Punjabi and Punjabiyat and to honour the most Outstanding Global Punjabi from around the world. He extended his gratitude and promised a bigger and grander function next year”. In that very year the society opened its chapters in Doha, Kuwait and Thailand. The UK chapter was also launched on 27th September 2010 by India’s High Commissioner to UK H E Nalin Suri at the House of Lords, UK. The guests of honour were Rt. Hon. Baroness (Dr.) Sandip Verma, Shailesh Vara MP and Priti Patel MP. The event was attended by more than 150 People of Indian Origin living in India and abroad.
Ashok Verma was unanimously declared the President of GPS UK Chapter, Ms Harminder Chahal is the Treasurer and Pradeep Ghatok is the Secretary. Dr S P Sharma was requested to be the patron which he accepted. The advisors for GPS UK Chapter are Dr Rami Ranger MBE, Mohan Khera, DL Chadha, R S Sandhu MBE DL and Dr Gurjeet Bains. Since then the society has been organizing various functions to glorify the achievements of the Global Punjabis. After the death of S. Jagmohan Singh, his son Manu Jagmohan Singh became the Secretary General. When Global Punjabi Society celebrated GPS diwas 2015, where in Dr. Manmohan Singh former Prime Minister was chief guest, Manu Jagmohan Singh retreated that Global Punjabi Society was a platform to save the interest of Global Punjabis as well as Global Indians to voice their views, to celebrate their achievements and to preserve the Sanctity of India’s rich cultural heritage.

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