Orange County Zone kids outshine at Hemkunt International Speech Competition in Philadelhia

SANTA ANA, 2014

The Orange County Zone kids outshined at the Sri Hemkunt  Foundation International symposium held in Philadelphia from July 31 1 to Aug 3, 2014, in which kids from over 15 zones worldwide participated.  Orange County Zonal convener, Dr. Ginny Kaur Chawla, who accompanied the kids to International Symposium thanked all the participants, judges,  parents, volunteers, local Gurudwara and Punjabi schools management  and Center Coordinators, Gagandeep Kaur, Jaswinder Kaur Bath , Jaspreet S. Kochar and Jasleen Kaur Gujral  for their support and efforts  throughout the year in guiding and engaging the youth in learning of Sikh culture and history. This is the first time in the last 20 years that Orange County kids have bagged so many accolades at the International platform.  Following are the Orange County Zone International winners among all the participants from more than 15 zones worldwide.

 Mehr Kaur Bawa – 1st Place International Winner in Group III.   (Santa Ana Center)

  Mehr Kaur Bawa,  1st place Hemkunt International Winner in Group III

Harnoor Kaur – 2nd Place International Winner in Group III    (San Diego Center)

Mannat Kaur Bawa – 3rd place International Winner in Group I   (Santa Ana Center)

                     Mannat Kaur Bawa

3rd place Hemkunt International Winner in Group I

 At the International Symposium in Philadelphia this year, Orange County Zone kids exhibited talents in various other areas also. Sahej Kaur Chawla and Noor Kaur Nindra Emceed the International Speech Competition event in Philadelphia for Group II and Group I respectively.  On a lighter note, the GNCA kids of Orange County Zone rocked the dance floor at the evening Banquet, attended by about 600 people.

  Mehr Kaur and Mannat Kaur were recognized at Sikh Center of Orange County and  Harnoor Kaur at  the Sikh Society of San Diego, Escondido with Siropa Sahib for this achievement .

 This is an annual event organized by Sri Hemkunt Foundation, NY, and Sikh centers and Gurudwaras across the US and UK.  The competition helps children learn about Sikh history, culture and philosophy.

2- Winners of Western South Region Keertan Darbaar participate in Hemkunt International Keertan Darbaar in Philadelphia.

 SANTA ANA, 2014-  The winning teams of the Western South Region Keertan  Darbaar participated at the International Keertan Darbaar held in Philadelphia and won consolation awards.  The three participating teams in the International were from  GNCA (Guru Nanak Children Academy, Santa Ana) . They did extremely well for their 1st time participation in the International Hemkunt Keertan Darbaar.  It was amazing to see the kids playing so well the different Sikh heritage instruments like Dilruba and Tanpura in addition to playing Sitar and Surmandal.  Congrats to the all the participants and parents!  Following are Western South Region Keertan Darbaar Winners :

 i)                 Raag Prabhati – Group I

Jasroop Kaur (Harmonium), Malika Kaur Nindra (Tanpura), Pria Kaur Chawla (Dilruba), Ria Kaur Chawla(Dilruba)

Juskeerat Singh Anand (Tabla) ---   Western South Region Winner of Prabhati Raag Group

ii)               Raag Prabhati – Group I - 

Divjot Singh (Harmonium), Mehr Kaur Bawa (Harmonium), Noor Kaur Nindra (Dilruba), Sahej Kaur Chawla (Dilruba)

Kulveer Setya (Tabla)

 Western South Region Winner of Prabhati Raag Group

iii)             Raag Tukhari – Group II –

Jaskiran Kaur (Harmonium), Jasnoor Kaur (Surmandal & Tanpura), Noor Kaur Nindra (Dilruba),  Pavan Kaur (Sitar)

 Harinder Singh (Tabla).

  Western South Region Winner of Tukhari Raag Group

iv)              Raag Nat Naaraain – Group III

Amandeep Kaur (Tanpura), Inderpreet Kaur (Harmonium).  Satnam Kaur (Harmonium),  Avneet Kaur (Dilruba)

Sahib Singh (Tabla)

Western South Region Winner of Nat Naaraain Raag Group

The Western South Region was established earlier this year in Southern California with Jagdeep Singh and Dr. Ginny Kaur Chawla as the Western South Regional Coordinators.  About 14 teams from all over this region had participated in the Regional Keertan Darbaar  hosted by Sikh Center of Orange County in Santa Ana. The winning teams were then invited to participate at the International level. The primary focus of  the Keertan Darbaar is to encourage maximum participation of children, encourage Sikh heritage string instruments and learning of Keertan, Gurbani, philosophy of Sikh Religion, Sikh history, Fine Arts and Culture.

Jagdeep Singh, Western South Region Keertan Darbaar Coordinator