AAP meet stresses need for change

CHICAGO: More than 80 people gathered Sunday April 20 at Holiday Inn, Mt. Prospect, a northwest Chicago suburb, to discuss support to Aam Admi Party fighting elections in India.

The meeting was hosted by S Mat Singh Dhillon, business owner, and joined by local supporters of AAP in Illinois. The program was Emceed by Thakar S Basati, Community activist in Chicago. Professor (Retd) S. Jagindar Singh Ramdev, an educationist, Mrs Chaitra Padsalgi, an IIT professional and Major (Retd) S Gurcharan Singh Jhudge, Businessman, were pesent and spoke at the meet S. Mat Singh Dhillon said, “Law and order for a common Indian has become mockery. People in high places do what they feel like.

There is no place common man/women can lodge complaints. Basic facilities are promised but never provided ever since India gained independence. Fake conflicts are created between religions to gain votes. Politicians play with religious sentiments of people. Something needs to be done before it is too late and here is a golden opportunity for Indian people to cast their votes for change.

He was followed by Mrs Chaitra Padsalgi who has been involved with AAP Chicago for few years now. She said, “I am sick of dirty politicians who have worked for themselves and not the country or its people. Listen to your soul. Not career politicians who lie all the time but specially educated youth needs to come forward and put a stop to all corruption. It is insulting especially for NRIs when scandals reach media overseas and name of India figures in them. Overseas every Indian becomes successful but in India they fail because of lack of fair chances to succeed.”

Major (Retd) S. Gurcharan Singh Jhudge spoke about unfair practices by career politicians and their families who have done more harm to India than invaders. Religions are attacked by influential people who break all laws and escape judgment. People who have been jailed are staying in jails way beyond their terms which is against the country’ constitution. Governments should be held responsible. He expects change with new party coming to power. Major Jhudge personally knows Gurkirat Kaur Panag, AAP candidate from Chandigarh.

S. Surinderpal Singh Kalra spoke about the atrocities against minorities in India both under the rule of Congress and BJP. If people don’t wake up now, they will have to wait for another five years for any change. He thanked the organizers for taking initiative to bring people together who feel something needs to be done.

Professor (Retd) S. Jagindar Singh Ramdev talked about promises made to Sikhs before partition. Many Sikhs were killed or displaced during partition which could have been saved easily had the politicians cared about people. Again Punjab was divided on the basis of language and even today Punjabi language is ignored in all Government offices. He talked about the personal setbacks his family suffered at partition.

Educated, sincere and hard working people need to win elections so that India again could become “Sone Di Chidiya.”
S. Jaswinder Singh Dhillon recited a poem asking people to vote for Jharru (broom) and send corrupt politicians packing. People who sold tea at tea stalls have become filthy rich by corrupt practices.

S.Indermohan Singh Chhabra, Sikh TV producer, read a poem about how corrupt people are destroying India and people need to change the system. S. Lal Singh, who has been a strong supporter of AAP and belongs to Delhi, spoke about achievements of Arvind Kejriwal in his 45 days as Delhi’s chief minister.

S. Sarwan Singh Tiwana, producer of Chan Pardesi Radio, said his radio show is live on Internet and he will support factual statistics exposing corruption and high handedness of corrupt officials and leaders of India. Dr Munish Kumar Raizada talked about his involvement with AAP since its inception in Chicago. He wants India free of corruption. He said educated people of Indian origin all around the world have an obligation for their children and coming generation to live with pride, not with remorse.

IIT graduate Kakoli Dutta from AAP Chicago spoke how she spends about half an hour every day talking to people in India and encouraging them to rise and lend support for a just cause.

Thakar Singh Basati was thanked for keeping the program going. Dinner was provided by Shri KK Pamma of Clay Oven restaurant Schaumburg, Illinois.

Harish Rao