The Waikato Punjabi Ladies Cultural Committee [since 1999] recently celebrated their annual Tian da Mela/Festival for Daughters, in Hamilton.
This year WPLCC focused on their pioneer mothers and grandmothers. Six Waikato seniors were honoured for their dedication to the Punjabi community, over the years.
They were each presented with the WPLCC: Honours award 2011; an engraved kettle with their name on it – Bakhshish Kaur Randhawa, Tej Kaur, Avtar Kaur, Harbans Kaur Bindra, Joginder Kaur Bindra and Bibi Mohinder Kaur.
After the initial introduction by senior member Mindy Singh, these seniors were asked questions about their pioneering days, they happily answered and shared their early ventures with the splendid audience.
“For some it was an eyeopener to hear of the hardships of those early years,” Mindy said.
“All in all it sure made people aware, how these earlier pioneers held, and preserved the Punjabi culture over the years, to this day.”
Mindy said now it is up to the present generation to carry on that wonderful legacy, “to preserve and enjoy best of both worlds in this wonderful country we call our home, New Zealand”.
Our other honoured guests were Sandra Mckenzie from the Department of Internal Affairs, and Acting Sergeant Mandeep Kaur, from the Mangere Neiughbourhood Policing Team.
Mandeep Kaur is the first Punjabi policewoman in New Zealand. She inspired many a women that night to join the Police Force.
As usual the evening began with dinner [Jaipur walla], a mix and mingle and then the presentations with cultural items being the highlight for the evening, ending with Gidha and Bhangra late into the night. Raffles were also drawn.
WPLCC wishes to thank all the performers: Jatyia Murabyia Walyia, The Sandhu Group, WPLCC Gidha/Bhangra Academy, Jagmohan & Jeet Kaur, Subsanjh Group, Gagan & Children, Sophie & Kiran, Jaswinder Kaur, Rajni Group and the Comedy Act. You were all superb.
Thank you also MCs Jagdeep and Babbu for your tactful way to keep the audience alive. And a huge thank you to the Audience who had travelled from near and afar, for coming, participating in this cultural festival..
A special thank you to the sponsors: ASB Bank Morrinsville, Kevin Deane Harcourts Ltd Morrinsville, Fonterra, Indo Spice, Little India and all the ladies who donated so generously.
WPLCC is a proud sponsor of the New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation, once again a $1per ticket sold was donated to them.
The WPLCC committee members: Mindy Singh, Raj Mundi, Jaswinder Dhaliwal, Brinder Saraan, Balbinder Sharma look forward to bringing to the public tian festival in 2012.