CHICAGO: Global Punjabi Milaap was held on Saturday August 24 at Holiday Inn in Mt. Prospect in an effort to bring together the Punjabi families who were separated by the partition of India and Pakistan.
Many of them live overseas and talk about their childhood memories. Milaap is an effort to connect them with some of their old friends/families who may know somebody from that area. Sajid Chaudhry, President of PHACA (Paksitan Heritage and Cultural Association) welcomed everyone for coming to the program. Thakar S Basati, community activist, introduced Prof. Jagindar Singh Ramdev, President of AASA (Asian American Seniors Association).
He revealed how Milaap was started and successful programs that have come out of Milaap. Last year the theme was Baba Bulleh Shah and year before that was Waris Shah, the legend. This year the theme was Punjabi Boli Di Saanjh. He introduced Dr Navdeep Kaur Sandhu who was sponsor of Milaap this year and many times before.
Thakar Basati invited Dr Deepak Kapoor on stage who traveled from Florida to be part of Milaap. His family migrated from Balochistan area. He is also founder of Maheshwar Foundation, a not for profit organization that runs free medical camps in India with the help of Rotary Club and US doctors, nurses. Sajid Chaudhry invited Janab Nematullah Chaudhary, a community activist here and in Pakistan.
Janab Salim Mukhii opened the program by reciting poetry, thanking the organizers and promised to provide more help in future. Navraaz K Basati, owner of NKPI thanked the audience and participants. Sajid Chaudhry spoke about teachings of all religions and said, “They all preach love not hatred as we are supposed to believe. Now the time is to move on and try to mend things between two neighbors.”
Rajinderbir Singh Mago shared his memory of visiting his native village in Pakistan. Prof Kulwant Singh Hundal spoke about inner spirit, how we need to control it and not let it stray. S Gursharanjit Singh reminded about his childhood memories how his parents shared stories of partition. He recited his Punjabi poem.
Nematullah Chaudhary had people laughing at his jokes. Janab Kaiser Syed recited Urdu poetry and the message again was love and peace not war amongst neighbors. Prof. Jagindar Singh Ramdev talked about Punjabi Saanjh quoting Waris Shah, how his poetry depicted Punjabi life for all Punjabis in the world.
A play was repeated at Chicago Cultural Center thru Lahore Sister City foundation. Yasin Chohan sang Saifal Malooq, Punjabi legendary love story sung in a special way.
Tejinder Singh Minhas, Ex-President Punjabi Heritage Organization sang beautiful Punjabi ghazal. His parents hailed from Pakistan and lived in Amritsar after partition. Mustafa Anjum Sahib moved to Chicago recently. He works for Pakistan Consul General here. S Kuldip Singh Turke said, “Punjabi is no 13th language in the world, it won’t go away that easily.” Bibi Surjit Kaur recited her poem.
Raja Yaqoob spoke about the need for dialogue between two countries rather than hatred. Both neighbors need to start accepting each other and need to care for its people than wasting money in wars. S Darshan, visitor from India, requested the organizers to continue arranging such functions. He sang beautiful poem about how we felt helpless at that time, but now is the time to move on.
Dr Swaranjit Singh, President IFCAPS, (an organization to resolve conflict thru peace) observed that nothing really was achieved by partition thru bloodshed. Same partition could have been done in a much better human way.
Thakar Basati and Sajid Chaudhry emceed the program. Dr Kapoor invited Milaap organizers to bring next Milaap to Florida. Basati said that invitations to host in other states like Michigan, Ohio have also been received.
Moment of silence was observed for lives lost since last Milaap. A peace candle was lit asking for peace between India and Pakistan and also in places like Egypt and Syria.
Surendra Ullal
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