PCS CHICAGO PARTNERS WITH CHICAGO CHILDREN’S MUSEUM AT NAVY PIER TO CELEBRATE PASSPORT TO THE WORLD

Chicago, June 06, 2008
Rajinder Singh Mago

Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago (PCS) partnered with Chicago Children's Museum at Navy Pier, 700 E. Grand Ave., Chicago , IL . 60611 in organizing the PASSPORT TO THE WORLD: India Festival Celebrations.

The events were to celebrate Asian American Heritage month of May. The PCS performances depicted a mosaic of diverse traditions from India with Punjabi Folk Dances BHANGRA & GIDHA by PCS Children teams, Turban Tying, Mehendi, Rangoli, Bindi, and other Indian performing arts.

The program inside the museum offered “learning Punjabi song and Dhol” by Maninder Singh, Bhangra 101 by Shamila Khetarpal and Sargam Group, Turban Tying workshop by SAHO volunteers, and Rangoli art. The entrance was free and Indian snacks were served free to all.

Four free buses from palatine and one from Devon Avenue brought in community members to Navy Pier to participate at India Festival despite rainy weather. The outdoor procession and street dancing with “Dhol”on Navy Pier got rained out but it was held indoors.

“Passport to the World is designed to expose children to a variety of cultures and to affirm each child’s own cultural identity and ethnic heritage.” Said Keith McCormick, CCM’s director of cultural programs. “It is our hope that programs like Passport to India help prepare young children to thrive in a world that is increasingly interracial and intercultural, and demonstrates to them that cultural differences should not be simply tolerated, but appreciated, encouraged and nurtured.”

"This is a great opportunity to share our culture and outreach to the mainstream community children who are going to become the leaders of tomorrow," said Amarjit Kaur Atwal, the PCS president.

“Passport to the World provides us an excellent forum and an opportunity to share our rich Punjabi Indian culture, fine art exhibits, music, dance and performing arts with the mainstream fellow Americans,” said Mohinderjit Singh Saini, managing director of the Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago and ambassador for Passport to India . “It is very important for all, especially the children, to experience other cultures because this will strengthen their understanding of other cultures and of people who may look different or wear different clothing," he added.

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. For further information please contact:

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