AUCKLAND (NZ Punjabi News Service): To mark the Punjab Day (formation of Punjab on November 1, 1966), Sahitik Sath New Zealand held its first congregation in Hamilton. Punjab - loving people from Auckland, Hamilton and Tauranga took part in the event held at Gulmohar restaurant. Organisers ensured to make the event a colourful one.
Mandeep of Azaad Rang Manch presented a short play and set up a book counter, while Satta Vairowalia, Jytoi Virk and Davinder Dhillon enthralled the audience with their songs. Preet Saini, Mukhtiar Singh, Jalawar Singh, Jaggi Johal, Karamjit Aklia and Taradeep Bilaspur recited poems and ghazals. Before starting the event, participants relished and praised the delicacies of restaurant.
Shedding light on issues of Punjab, Ravinder Singh Puar and Gurpreet Nagra of Hamilton Multicultural Organisation also addressed people. After this, organisers released book “Supan Sariki” written by Tarandeep Bilaspur. Then, Karamjit Aklia addressed the gathering.
Book “Adhwate Safar Di Srijna – Manmeet Alisher” edited by Satpal Bhkihi and Sumit Shammi and dedicated to Manmeet Alisher, who was killed in a racial attack in Australia four year ago and carries unpublished poems and articles of Alisher, was also released. Tarandeep Bilaspur’s address on Manmeet Alisher’s life left the participants emotional.
According to organisers, Shaheed – e – Bhagat Singh Trust of Waikato contributed in a big way to make this event successful, especially Ravinder Sidhu, Khushmeet Sidhu and Harry Rahul of the Trust had big role in holding the event. Besides this, Parminder Kaur Gill, Harjeet Kaur,Gurpreet Singh Gill, Ranjit Singh, Happy Singh, Harinder Mann, Harman Brar, Mani Sidhu, Jasmeet Bajwa and some other Punjabis, who keep an emotional bonding with Punjab, were also present.