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By UJJAGAR SINGH WASSAN with input from R.S JOHAR & GURPAL GILL
As has been the tradition, the Sikh Study Circle Inc. Sikh Temple, Stone Mountain, GA) celebrated this year’s Vaisakhi function in grand style at the Clayton Arts Center, Jonesboro Georgia on April 17, 2005. Vaisakhi Gurpurb, a religious function was celebrated at the temple in Stone Mountain in the morning and it was followed by a Punjabi Cultural Program in the evening.
The function began with a welcoming speech by the President of SSCI R. S. Johar, who thanked the guests on behalf of the Sikh Study Circle for attending the function in such large numbers and making the function such a grand success. Mr. Johar also extended his warmest wishes to every one on this auspicious occasion. “Vaisakhi is an important day for all of us religiously and culturally,” said Mr. Johar. He then introduced Mr. S. Surinder Singh Lalli the Chairman of the cultural committee of SSCI, who was the man behind the spectacular cultural evening that followed.
Mr. Lalli introduced the chief guest Lt Gov Mark Taylor. Lalli pointed out that, Lt. Governor Taylor’s key focus has been education, making communities safer and strengthening the economy. “In 2004, he has launched an effort to pass a constitutional amendment to let people vote on smaller class sizes in grade I-3. He has also vowed to fight for the preservation of the HOPE scholarship program.”
Prior to becoming Lt. Governor in 1998, Taylor served 11 successful years in the State Senate where he was Floor Leader for then-Governor Zell Miller. He was the lead sponsor for the HOPE scholarship and pre-Kindergarten programs that revolutionized education throughout the state.
As part of his ongoing effort to improve education, Taylor has consistently supported increases in teachers' salaries and smaller class sizes. He has worked to establish laws that protect teachers from abusive students and allows school systems to immediately and permanently suspend any student who physically assaults a teacher or school employee. He also helped create a statewide Student Code of Conduct for Georgia's schools to protect teachers and help students learn by making sure the kids who do not play by the rules cannot disrupt classes.
As part of his effort to protect and serve Georgia, Mark Taylor has worked to give law enforcement the tools it needs to make communities safer. He was the sponsor of Georgia's Two-Strikes-and-You're-Out law, which has helped incarcerate repeat offenders of violent crime. In 2000, Mark Taylor worked to create Georgia's DNA database, which is also helping catch repeat offenders and preventing violent crime. In 2002, he helped remove the statute of limitations for prosecution in violent crimes, such as rape and child molestation. During the last legislative session, he worked to set up a Blue Ribbon Commission to improve the community response to assault victims and set up a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Program.
In 2003, he built on this success by establishing post-conviction relief to make it easier for people wrongly convicted of violent crimes to prove their innocence through DNA testing.
He also helped pass the Crimes Against Family Members Act, which increased the penalties against those who commit domestic violence in front of their children.
Over the years, he has helped pass tougher teen driving laws, stronger DUI laws, and he has been working to establish a child endangerment felony law.
Taylor fights for economic development by advocating lower taxes and job creation. He is working with state EMS officials and hospitals to implement a statewide trauma network. He also serves as vice chair of the One Georgia Authority, created to manage a $1 billion state investment in Georgia's 71 poorest counties.
Lalli then requested Lt Governor Taylor to speak to the audience. Lt Governor Taylor thanked the organizers for giving him the opportunity to greet those present on the occasion and added, “I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the members of the Sikh Study Circle for their vital contribution in promoting this celebration of the Indian cultural heritage and for its commitment to the principle of spiritual living. I believe Sikh ideals and values serve as a shining example for all people and applaud your fine efforts. You have my best wishes for a successful and enjoyable celebration.’
Ujjagar S. Wassan, Chairman, and Board of Directors SSCI on behalf of the Sikh community of Atlanta, thanked Lt Governor Taylor, for his presence. He also thanked President Bush, the Governor of Georgia and Mayor of Atlanta for providing protection to the Sikhs, a minority community, after 9/11. Mr. Wassan said this was a great country because it’s only here that the Sikhs who are a minority within the minority have been given the right to follow their faith. This country honors freedom and provides equal opportunities for everyone. Mr. Wassan then presented a set of books on Sikhism to the Lt Governor with the hope that it will better acquaint him with the community.
The emcee for the evening Ranjit Singh was then introduced by Surinder Lalli. His vast knowledge of Punjabi culture and language and sense of humor kept the audience entertained between colorful ethnic dances.
The program showcased Punjabi rural dances, including Gidda and, Bhangra. There were solo dance performances given by the talented local boys and girls, and from the ladies, who also joined in wearing colorful dresses. A special Bhangra team from Canada Nachdi Jawani from Toronto performed two Bhangra dances Vakhra nazara and Malvai Gidda live. This team was specially flown to Atlanta for the occasion. A group of Sikh children sang an English Number, On top of the World. Other highlights were performances like Sifat Punjabian di, Mirza by Dhadi Jatha, Nachan da sadhaa,Mudia haan dia by the Punjab dia Mornian group, Soormay Jat dee Anakh nu Rokey , Heer , Churian Charah De Vay , Nach Lai Morniae , Apnaa Punjab Hovey and a ,Bhangra Remix.
The Vice President of SSCI then gave a vote of thanks. He joked that his task had very little entertainment value but it was equally important to thank both the audience and the participants for making the show such a success. Gill acknowledged Ranjit Singh, who acted as emcee, and also handled the over all administration and co-ordination. Dr Inderpal Singh was thanked for raising the necessary funds. Thanks were also given to Chuhar Singh and his entire family. Chuhar Singh, said Gill was the fulcrum around which the whole program revolved.
This program would have not been possible without the participation of children and young artists, said Gurpal Gill. He also thanked Mrs. Gurjeet Kaur Jogi, Mrs. Parmjit Kaur, and Mrs. Baljit kaur Gill and Mrs. Maninder Lali for their overseeing everything related to getting the young artists on stage to perform.
He thanked the County management, Mr. Dee for the sound system, Mrs. Dee on lights, Ms. Nancy for back stage assistance and the Clayton County Performing Arts Center for Schools for lending the stage for the show. Mr. Gill also thanked guest artists from Toronto, Canada, who came all the way from Toronto to present Ghida and Bhangra. ‘This group of dedicated individuals is committed to promoting Punjabi culture in Canada and North America. They have approximately 500 members and more than 150 can perform Gidha and Bhangra at a very short notice,” according to Gurpal Gill.
Gurpal Gill also thanked Bombay Grill’s Mr. and Mrs. Arminder Singh Ghai and family, Café Bombay’s Mr. and Mrs. Jatinder Singh Ahluwalia and family, Clay Oven, Bombay Spices’ Mr. Mrs. Jatinder Johar and family, and GNC Buford who were the sponsors of the show. He concluded the evening’s proceedings by thanking the Atlanta Sangat and SSCI management for sponsoring and organizing a wonderful evening to promote the spirit of Baisakhi and Punjabi culture.
SSCI also thanks the following participants for their wonderful performances
Damanpreet Kaur, Amanpreet Kaur, Avleen Kaur, Timsy Kaur, Misha Chauhan, Parro, Rajdeep Singh, Rupneet Singh, Sumer Pal Singh, Jagpreet Singh, Jaskaran Singh,Jaspal Bhattal, Tanveer Bhattal, Supreet Singh, Ravneet Kaur, Kavneet Kaur,Sharanjeet Kaur, Kiranjeet Kaur, Karendeep Kaur, Seema Kaur, Navjot Kaur, Rupneet Singh, Paramjeet Singh Gill ,Preeti Kaur Sandhu, Rajwinder Kaur, Dev, Nikki Sagar, Nimarta, Gurdial Singh Butter, Bali Sisters & Party , Majhe, Kiranjit Kaur, Baljinder Kaur, Navdip Kaur, Samreen Kaur, Loveleen Kaur, Kitty Kaur ,Iqbal Atwal, Kulwinder Virk, Amarjit Mangat, Jasvir Heera, Gursharnjit Bains, Amandeep Warraich, Balwinder Manak, Ranjit Singh, Sukhjinder Sidhu, Jatinder Dhillon.
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