BARBADOS: The Sindhi Association of Barbados hosted its 15th International Sindhi Sammelan at Casa Grande Hotel in Barbados three days last month- June 27 to June 29. The event was a great success for the number of attendees and the meticulous way the entire program got underway.

The Sammelan was sponsored by the Alliance of Sindhi Associations of Americas, Inc. It was well attended by dignitaries from Barbadian government officials, the High Commissioner of India and Sheriff of Mumbai."Youth in Focus, United we Stand," was the theme of the Sammelan.

There were over 150 youth from all parts of Globe, including Gibraltar, Indonesia, India, Trinidad, Jamaica, Guyana, Canada, Guyana, St. Thomas and several states of the United States, at the event. The Chief Guest of the Sammelan, Dr Indu Shaani, the Sheriff of Mumbai, a Sindhi to occupy this coveted position, described how she has made the office of Sheriff as high profiled, which has never been done before. She has united Mumbians in the causes dear to her.

Her Youth Sheriff's Brigade has performed many social services to the community.Esther Byer-Suckoo, the Minister of Family, Youth Affairs, praised Sindhis for their achievements as family oriented community, though small in numbers, has made big impact in business and trade and as model citizens.

The High Commissioner of India, Ashok Kumar Sharma, meticulously traced the origin of Sindhis from the Indus Valley Civilization. He praised the Sindhis for their adventures to all parts of the Globe as successful traders.

He also said that Hindu word came from Sindhu and the Vedas were written at the banks of river Sindhu. He further said that the Sindhis are proud of their culture, language and Heritage.Dr Dayal Meshri, the President of Alliance of Sindhi Associations, in an emotional speech, appealed to Global Sindhi community to unite and preserve the Sindhi language and Sindhiat. The sessions on Saturday, started with Manoj Balalni from Toronto, Canada. He addressed the topic of misconceptions of Sindhi Marriages. His spellbinding power presentation was very well received.

He has been involved with many Sammelans and also actively participant of Retreats, organized by Young Sindhi Adults (YSA).Prem Lalvani, the Chairman of Alliance of Sindhi Associations, speaking in Sindhi, gave history and the origin Sindhi Sammelans. She ably presented her topic, 'The Struggle between maintaining our cultural heritage and acculturating to our new environments. She emphasized that Sindhi youth must know their rich language, culture religious heritage.There were many young adults, mostly over 21, who were provided with entertainment at night club for four nights, to mingle among themselves and get to know each other.

The highlight of the Sammelan culminated in a cruise on the last day, with food, entertainment and dancing.Prem Lalvani Invited members of the Alliance, Dr Dayal Meshri, Kamal Lala and Ramola Motwani along with Asha Mirchandani, Gitu Bhatia, to participate in passing the baton to hosts of Sammelans in 2009 and 2010. Kamal Lala, the Chair of the LA. Sammelan invited all the participants to join the LA Sammelan on July 24, 2009 while Shyam Jethani, the president of Gandhi Seva Loka, with his colleagues Baghu Mirchandani and Shyam Daryanani, from Indonesia, invited all to join them at Sindhi Sammelan in 2010 in Jakarta, Indonesia Prem Lalvani informed the audience that Kishore Lal, the Vice President of the Alliance, passed away just two days before the Sammelan.

He had worked hard to make the Singapore Sammelan a great success in spite of his advance stage of cancer. He was a good, father, good grand father of four, a good husband a good friend a true Sindhi. In his honor, the Alliance presented the Sindhu Award, posthumously, to Kamal Lala. Dr Dayal Meshri, the President of Alliance, presented the ward.