India Post News Service
CHICAGO: United Punjabis of America (UPA) hosted Vaisakhi Mela on Saturday, April 15, 2023 with More than 700 guests and members coming to take part in the festive celebration. There were 20 busy-booths selling colorful clothing and jewelry, providing information for various services available in the community, and offering delicious food for purchase.
A stunning Dhol Tasha performance by Maharashtra Mandal heralded the start of the cultural program and got the audience buzzing with excitement for the rest of the program. The emcees, Neha Sobti and Ramesh Malhan, offered a warm welcome to all and invited the dignitaries to help light the lamp of friendship and celebration.
Congressman Bill Foster and Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi offered Vaisakhi greetings and congratulated UPA for hosting this event. Other dignitaries who joined the two Congressmen were Ranjit Singh (Consul, Indian Consulate in Chicago), State Senator Laura Ellman, Naperville Mayor Elect Scott Wehrli, Aurora Alderwoman Shweta Baid, Aurora Alderman John Laesch, and representatives of Illinois State Comptroller Susana Mendoza. The UPA BOD Chairman, Om Dhingra, could not attend the event. He delegated his responsibilities to Pratibha Jairath and Ramesh Malhan.
Every year, UPA recognizes community members for their outstanding entrepreneurial or technical achievements and community services. This year five of these awards were conferred. Sudhir Dureja was recognized as a Distinguished Punjabi for Technical Achievements ; Dr. Anuja Gupta a Distinguished Entrepreneur; Dr. Vijay Prabhakar a Distinguished Community Leader; Mrs. Ratna Kapur a Distinguished Punjabi for Community Service Leadership; and Mrs. Neha Sobti a Distinguished Young Punjabi for Community Service. Dharam Punwani, President of UPA, congratulated the awardees and thanked them for their dedication to service.
Next came the highly anticipated dance performances from accomplished dancers. Colorful giddhas and scintillating Bollywood-style medleys were the order of the day and included performances. The judges Sarita Sood, Kanan Dhingra, Shammi Wahi, and Ratna Kapur had the difficult job of selecting the winners.
Placed first was Neha Sobti Dance Academy, second place went to Rhythms and Grace Dance Studio by Shalini Dixit, and Dwance Academy by Anu Bhattacharya, won the third-place trophy. But in the eyes of the audience, every performance and performer were a winner. The entertainment ended with a bang with another exciting performance of Dhol Tasha by a group of young performers who handled their dhols with great confidence and skill.
“Vaisakhi is such a beloved festival for us, and I am so proud that UPA continues this tradition of hosting a Mela to bring people together in friendship and gratitude for the bounty this festival blesses us with,” acknowledged Pratibha Jairath, former Chairwoman of the Board of UPA.
Entry to the UPA Vaisakhi mela was free. It was made possible by the support of various levels of sponsorships that included: International Fresh Market (Event Level), Anil Loomba, Home Mortgage Solutions Inc., Amrit Mittal, New York Life (Gold Level), Four Silver Level sponsorships of Mr. Rahul Wahi, LLT Group; Mr. Sunil Shah, New York Life; Dr. Bhupinder Beri, Crossroad Animal Hospital; Heartland Bank, and eight Bronze level sponsorships of Iroquois Dental, MoinHauqe Group, Verandah Senior Living, State Bank of India, Blue Sky Innovations, Orochem, Sajmil Builders, and Om Signs and Graphics.
UPA is a charitable non-profit community service organization that has been organizing cultural and social events since 2013, donates food to various food pantries, and offers scholarships for community service.
