Punjabi community pitches for stronger ties with Consulate and Midwest leaders

SURESH BODIWALA

CHICAGO: More than 300 pre-eminent members of the Punjabi community across the US Midwest gathered for a meet-and-greet program Indian Consul General in Chicago Sudhakar Dalela  August 23 at Atlantis Banquets, in Arlington Heights, a north side suburb of Chicago.

Representatives came from various Sikh temples across the Midwest, including Oak Creek in Wisconsin, South Bend and Crown Point in Indiana Wheaton in Illinois.
The purpose of the event was to nurture the relationship between the Consulate and newly appointed Consul General and the Sikh and Punjabi community.   
Religious and community leaders unanimously commended Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision to celebrate the 550^th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of the Sikh faith, at various consular offices and religious places across the world.   
“The Chicago Consulate will celebrate the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev as he is not only important for the Sikh community but revered and respected across the globe,” said Consul General Dalela.

The Consulate announced plans to celebrate the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak by working with community organizations across the Midwest.  
Dr. Harjinder Khaira, who was the master of ceremonies, was also the host of this event. He thanked community leaders Happy Singh and Jaskaran Singh Dhaliwal for their efforts in bringing together religious and community leaders of the Punjabi community.

Community  speakers at the event included Dr. Balwant Singh, Brij Sharma, Lakhwant Singh Komal from Devon Gurdwara Sahib of Chicago, Parminder Singh Goldy from the Oak Creek Sikh Temple in Wisconsin, Sawarn Singh from South Bend, Indiana, Sarwan Singh Tiwana of Crown Point, Indiana, Baba Daljit Singh , Laddi K. Singh, former candidate for the  Illinois House of Representatives, and Mohinder Singh from the Wheaton Gurdwara in Illinois.
Representatives from Sikh organizations identified several areas where the Consul General can improve services.
 
Community leaders highlighted challenges such as bridging the existing gap between pre-eminent members of the Indian community and consulate general, and ensuring fast and efficient services for passports and travel documents.  
Dalela responded to community concerns stating that he and his team would work to change the perceptions of local community members.  
 

“It is our duty to address this perception. We have an absolute zero-tolerance policy as far as corruption is concerned,” Dalela said. He encouraged community leaders to reach out directly to the consulate through requests for meetings and written correspondence on pressing community matters and assured members that their concerns would be addressed expeditiously.  
Dalela, Haryana Police chief Om Prakash, and Congressman of the 8th District of Illinois Raja Krishnamurthy were honored by Darshan Singh Dhaliwal