PCS CHICAGO’s Eighth Annual “Punjabi Youth Graduation & Scholarship Awards Night”
Navjot Singh and Harleen Kaur Saini win PCS Chicago Scholarships
Dr. Hardarshan Singh Valia an inspiring Key Note speaker

Chicago, June 20, 2008
Rajinder Singh Mago

Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago (PCS) organized its eighth annual “Punjabi Youth Graduation and Scholarship Awards Night” on Sunday, June 8, 2008, at Vice Roy of India Banquet Hall in Lombard, Illinois. More than 300 attended. The chief guest was Mr. Rohit Shah of American Family Insurance.

The celebration included recognition awards, scholarships, key note address, delicious Indian cuisine, DJ music, dancing and networking. The participants of “Rangla Punjab 2008” were also awarded. The party was free for the graduates and Rangla Punjab participants.

The scholarship winners among the applicants were determined by an independent panel of judges according to the marking criteria established by P.C.S.

P.C.S. $1000 scholarship this year was awarded to Navjot Singh of Mundelein High School. Navjot won for being a distinguished high school team basketball player in the State coupled with his high scholastic achievements.

The $750 scholarship went to Harleen Kaur Saini of Palatine High School for her high scholastic grades and participation in cultural activities in Indian & Asian American events and community service.

The scholarships were presented by Harinder Singh, President of Management and Information Technology Solutions, Inc. (M.I.T.S.).

The Key Note Speaker for the evening was Dr. Hardarshan Singh Valia, a highly acclaimed scientist, recognized worldwide for his work in geology, and President of Coal Science Inc., based in Highland Indiana. Dr. Valia made an enjoyable but inspiring presentation for the young graduates. He presented pictures of and talked about several Sikh youth in America who have achieved excellence in non-traditional fields (i.e. other than doctor/engineer) while maintaining their cultural heritage and Sikh appearance. The list included a Hollywood movies actor, a Kenneth Cole model, a movie maker, and college basketball and football players. “You can be whatever you set your mind to be, sky is the limit if you believe in yourselves, are persistent and work hard,” Dr. Valia advised the young graduates. Dr. Valia was honored by PCS and a plaque of honor was presented to him by the chief guest. Rohit Shah.

The PCS Chicago recognition certificates were presented to the graduates by Dr. Rimpy Kular a neurology research scientist at Northwestern Memorial Hospital Chicago.

Professor Jaginder Singh Ramdev (Retired, Panjab University Chandigarh India), a librarian, an author, and a historian also addressed the graduates and the scholarship winners. “You should live by your choices, and not by chances, but you must understand that you will have to live with the choices you make,” said Prof. Ramdev.

All the performing artists of "Rangla Punjab 2008" a Vaisakhi cultural show were given awards for their hard work, participation, and excellent performances. The awards were presented by Lovedeep Singh Dulat, Jasmair Kaur Kular, Amolak Singh Gidda, Gurmeet Singh Saini, Dr. Hargurmukhpal Singh, Dr. Navdeep Kaur Sandhu, and Harcharan Singh Sidhu.

The sponsors and the organizing team members and volunteers were also honored with plaques.

The graduates and the other attendees enjoyed the party with delicious food, DJ music and live dhol. The dance floor was jam packed with young Bhangra lovers till late into the evening.

"The purpose of this program is to promote higher education among our next generation in a fun environment," said Amarjit Kaur Atwal P.C.S. president.

PCS Scholarships and the Graduation Night celebration was Sponsored by American Family Insurance, Morgan Stanley, Western Union, The Chawla Group Ltd., Kohl's, Dr. Surjit S. Patheja, Dr. Robert Singh, Dr. Gurbachan S. Kapoor, W.W. Grainger, Inc., Harinder Singh – MITS, Punjabimatrimony.com, Viceroy of India Banquets and many other community supporters.

The program was organized by Sunny Singh Kular, Baljit Singh Sidhu, Ronny Singh Kular, Amarjit Kaur Atwal, Balwinder Singh Girn, Onkar Singh Sangha, Parminder Singh Ghotra, Mohinderjit Singh Saini, Harwinder Paul Singh Lail, Sukhmel Singh Atwal, Bhinder Singh Pamma, Yadwinder Singh Grewal, Manjit Singh Gill, Thakar Singh Basati, Jaspaul Singh Saini, Surinder Singh Bhatia, and Rajinder S. Mago.

The Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago is a not-for-profit community organization devoted to promoting Punjabi culture, language, performing arts, healthy life style and sports, education, and good citizenship in the metropolitan Chicago area.

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