What a showstopper royal evening it was! The Canberra Punjabi Sports and Cultural Association (CPSCA) organised its annual signature event ‘the Royal Punjabi Dinner’ on 23 July 2022 at the Thoroughbred Park Lyneham ACT, after a two year covid-enforced hiatus. It was the fifth alcohol-free family RPD. The cultural program involved local Canberran talent and renowned Punjabi singer Ms Kaur B, live in concert.
The houseful event was enjoyed by over 550 guests. The dignitaries included the High Commissioner of India to Australia HE Mr Manpreet Vohra, Mrs Christine Murray representing the ACT Multicultural Minister Ms Tara Cheyne (in COVID isolation), Mrs and Mr Narendra Rana (Counsellor, India), Mrs and Mr Harjit Singh (2nd Secretary, India), distinguished community leaders, and representatives of Donate Life ACT.
The stage was anchored by Canberra’s own famous singer/poet/actor/model Mr Taj Sidhu and community leader/public speaker/poet/writer Dr Sunita S Dhindsa. The cultural program started with Panjab’s cultural folk dance performed by Amanpreet and Amneet, followed by bhangra performed by mother and sons team: Kuldeep, Ishveer and Ranveer. This was followed by a beautiful dance by Mankirat and bhangra mix by mum-dad and daughter team: Ravneet, Tejinder and Joban. Kamal sang a famous folk song.
The stage burst into electric bhangra energy with awesome performance from youngsters (age 10-14 years): Alisha, Arman, Ishveer, Japjit, Jasleen, Neil, Nimrat, Prabhnoor, and Ranveer from the Canberra Bhangra group, coached by Mr Jagjit Singh.
The cultural program concluded with brilliant colourful giddha by Amanpreet, Amneet, Gagandeep, Hardeep, Manpreet, Navpreet, Parwinder, Ramanjit, Sumandeep, and children Lagan and Shabd, from the group Maan Mattiyan Muteyara, coached by Amanpreet Kaur Sohi. It took people back to the Youth Festival competitions in Punjab.
After the cultural program, the famous singer Kaur B took the stage. She kept the audience on their feet for almost two hours in which women took to the dance floor from the first song. Men, women, children, whoever could dance, were on the dance floor.
A delicious 3-course hot Punjabi dinner was cooked and served by Canberra’s young entrepreneurs, Rajeev Khullar (Monu), Sandeep Singh and Ashwinder Singh (Florey Pantry, Indian Town and Dawat-e-Punjab). The stage, venue setup and lighting were by the Star Party Hire Mt Druitt NSW; decorations by Govinda Events and Decorations; DJ and sound by DJ Teji Pty Ltd; photography/video by Bally Sohal; and security by Core Facilities. Media partners were Desi Canberra, Mehak Punjab Di and Radio Manpasand. Thanks to Canberra Racecourse for the venue.
The event was sponsored by 3T Consulting and Arvensys Group, Agam Group, Capital Green Solar, Capital Infracomms, Capital Solar Energy, Conder Dental Centre, Confidence Real Estate, Core Facilities, Expert Education, G 24/7 Security Services, Indian Town, IT Alliance, JB Slabs, Punjab Homes, Taz Building Group, Town Residential, and the always supportive ACT Government.
This year CPSCA is supporting Donate Life, raised awareness on the importance of organ and tissue donation to save lives and encouraged people to register as a donor. Awareness was also raised regarding the importance of learning Punjabi and speaking in Punjabi at home.
CPSCA also announced restarting of the Khed Mela (sports festival) in October and a new initiative called Punjabi Satth for Punjabi poetry. CPSCA organises annual tree planting at the Guru Ka Bagh Belconnen ACT at Guru Nanak Dev ji’s birthday, felicitates visiting Punjabi artists, conducts/engages in multicultural community activities, liaises with the Act government, High Commission of India, federal government and advocates on community related issues including culturally appropriate aged care facilities, large community hall, fully resourced hospital and health services.
Congratulations to the CPSCA team: Mr Amardeep Singh, Mr Amarjeet Judge, Mr Iqbal Deol, Mr Jatinder Majithia, Mr Naninder Khatra, Mr Paramdeep Nrain, Mr Rattesh Gumber, Mr Sumandeep Dhillon, Dr Sunita S Dhindsa and Dr Surjit Kang led by Dr Harjinder Dhindsa, who made this event a super success.