GADCA of Walnut celebrate Vaisakhi Da Mela 2013

(Associate with Punjabi School of Walnut)

Los Angeles, April 21, 2013
Karen/Raj/ Annie Joneja/Ramesh

This was the 3rd Annual Vaisakhi Cultural Program organized by GADCA (Guru Angad Dev Children's Academy) of Walnut, California on 21st April, 3pm-7pm, at Cal Poly University.  There were many volunteers involved in planning, organizing, and executing this Cultural Program. These families devoted their time, effort, and resources to make sure this Program was a success. There were close to 80 students from GADCA that participated this year.  In addition, about 35 children performed that were from visiting teams such as Punjabi Community Center (PCC) and Valley Sikh Temple.

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Vaisakhi Da Mela started around 3pm with a brief introduction by Walnut Punjabi School’s Principal Annie Joneja,  a Professor of Psychology, Mt. San Antonio College, Walnut, CA.  Ms. Joneja has a  great personality and charisma  who  was able to sway and rouse the crowd while knowing when to pass the mic on to the next performer. The program was started with a Shabad by Guru Angad Dev Children’s Academy.

The main Chief Guest of this program was Hanwant Bir singh Sawhney. Mr.  Sawhney was honored by the Guru Angad Dev Children’s Academy for his more than twenty years of selfless service to the Sikh community. He is known for his honesty, integrity, kindness and dedication for fulfilling human needs. His steadfast commitment to the Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Walnut allowed him to serve as vice President, chairman, and his current position as stage Secretary. Hanwant Bir Singh Sawhney and family not only donated $5000.00 for this event, but also, devoted their time in coaching the student performers.

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Left phot: Jagjit Singh Reen, Parmjit Nijjar and Hanwantbir Sahni ---Right Photo: Jagjit Singh Reen, Professor Annie Joneja  and Hanwantbir Sahni

The second item-Gatka of the program  was performed by California Gatka Dal Walnut.   Before the half an hour intermission food break, around ten items were performed such as Aao Ji, Nachda Bachpan, Bhangra Express, Malki Keema, Giddha Muttiaran Da, Jiya’s team name and Budget is Tight.

Above photo Management Team: 1. Saab Bhullar 2.Parmjit Nijjar 3.Nachhatar Bhullar 4.Gurcharan Anand 5.Satpal Ghotra 6.Hanwantbir Sahni 7.Kulbir Bhullar 8. Kulbir Hundal 9.Gurbachan Juneja 10.Garbax Bhasin and Sohan Gill

Other families involved in planning and organizing were:  Annie Joneja and family, Ruby Kanwar and family, Jessie Dharni and family, Rimpy and Kushi Gangotra, Sarabjeet Kaur and Harmit Singh, Jyoti Bhullar and family, and Sweety Bhullar and family.

Above Photo: Management and Support and Sponsors Team: 1. Kulbir Bhullar 2.Gurbachan Juneja 3.Sohan Gill 4.Kulbir Hundal 5.Bill Singh 6.Sarbjit Mann 7.Narinder Dhillon 8.Parmjit Nijjar 9.Tittu 10.Gurdev Singh 11.Baldev Singh 12.Satpal Gotra 13.Nachhatar Bhullar 14.Vedparkash Singh 15. Jagpal Singh

The coaches that choreographed the performances were Jasleen Kaur Gujral and Kulwinder Kaur Nakai; Mr. Harjit Bhogal, Ekta Kaur Sawhney, and Sofia Kaur; Jiya Bhullar and Kulreet Nakai; Harpreet Kaur Cheema and Navie Cheema; Akum Grewal, Arsh Dhillon, and Sumeet Sidhu; Sukhpal Singh Dhillon; and Jyoti Bhullar.  

The Hall was almost packed and  around  five hundred people attended Mela Vaisakhi Da.  The Delicious Indian Food  was served  by Paul Ghotra and family of Diamond Palace Cuisine of India. 

Finally, Jagjit Singh Reen, President of Gurudwara Sahib Walnut thanked the working committee members, executive committee members, teachers, the volunteers, all the sponsors and praised the wonderful audience for their support in making the event a huge success.