- By
P.
S. Bedi
Padmashri Awardee
Hony. General Secretary
International Punjabi Society
Punjab, the land of five
rivers and a cradle of earliest civilization known to man has passed from
the earliest to the modern after wading through turbulence that have led
to the evolution of Punjabis as one of the most prosperous community of
the world. They are not only industrious but are leaders par excellence
also. The concept of Punjabism from the ancient to the modern time explains
how the Vedas originated in Punjab and that too in Punjabi language which
was then in vogue.
Inaugurating an International
Punjabi Society Convention in New Delhi in the year 1993, the then Prime
Minister Shri
P.V. Narsimha Rao startled
his audience by the remarks that the "Vedas were written in Punjab
in the Punjabi language." The most recent history of Punjab is a
memorable heritage of Punjabi culture. The Hindu, Muslim and Sikh sages
and their lessons of humanitarianism are uniformly respected by all the
Punjabis wherever they live in the world. An average Punjabi is a child
of the earlier civilization, culture and circumstances that his forefathers
passed through. The partition of the country the greatest tragedy of the
past Millennium could not dampen their enthusiasm and they went on taking
big strides towards progress in making the country self-sufficient and
self-reliant.
It was with the initiative
and foresight of and Shri
Gurbachan Singh Gill
of U.K. that the idea to have an organization
and forum for promoting and safeguarding the interests of Punjabis living
in India and abroad crystallized and a process was set in motion for closer
engagements on the topic. It took a final practical shape during a meeting
and extensive deliberations amongst the representatives of USA, Thailand,
Canada, UK and India. Shri
Meharban Singh Dhupia,
Dr. A. S. Marwaha
of Los Angeles,
Shri Gurbachan Singh Gill
of U.K., Late
Shri J. S. Premi of
New York and Mr.
Asa S. Johal of
Vancouver (Canada) represented their sides. For all its tryst with glory
an International level organization of Punjabis for community services
came into being in the year 1968, christened as "International Punjabi
Society". Shri
Meharban Singh Dhupia had
the distinction of being first Honorary General Secretary with
Late Giani Gurmukh Singh Musafir
as its President. Similarly, branch offices
were established in different countries to co-ordinate the activities
for promotion of love and brotherhood amongst the Punjabis settled all
over the globe and had their mark felt by making big strides towards progress
and economic resurgence of the countries of their domicile without in
anyway losing their identity and ideals. Thus,with this golden opportunity
the single common platform and forum for the Punjabis came into existence
to safeguard the unique traditions that our society has embraced. International
Punjabi Society has afforded opportunities to all the members and its
constituents to celebrate, preserve and develop their cultural heritage
while living within a variety of multi-cultural environment.
After the sad demise of our President Giani Gurmukh Singh
Musafir, Dr. G.S. Dhillon, the then speaker of Lok Sabha, took over
the reigns of President of International Punjabi Society and this was
followed by Dr. Inderjit Singh, the then Chairman and Managing
Director, Punjab & Sind Bank Later Dr. Bhai Mohan Singh a
distinguished industrialist, affluent businessman and veteran
diplomat was bestowed with guiding the affairs. Dr. Bhai Mohan
Singh was highly passionate with the idea and ambition for the
achievement of the fabulous objectives of the Society to bring about
Punjabi renaissance primarily in and outside India. At present
Mr. Ramesh Suri a renowned automotive industrialist, an
educationist and also into hospitality sector, is the President of our
esteemed Society.
Late Shri Meharban Singh
Dhupia as its founder Honorary General Secretary
controlled and showed the right path and direction for achieving the desired
results for which the Society was established. The credit for setting
up most of the branches in India and abroad is due to his Herculean efforts
coupled with his charismatic personality. Recently, in the quest for this
motto a Trust
has been created and the society is always on the hunt for bright ideas
to serve the community.
The IPS is proud of its
share of fame and has its own building at 48, Ring Road, Lajpat Nagar-III,
New Delhi - 110 024. The Society is purely
social and cultural organization without any political or religious stance.
The Membership of the Society is open to all individuals regardless of
his/her race, religion, country affiliation so long as they subscribe
to the aims and objects of the society in promoting the sense of brotherhood
amongst all the Punjabis.
All the branches of IPS
in India and abroad are engaged in bringing
about great affinity amongst Punjabis settled all over the world by doing
commendable job of promoting eternal fraternity. It is a measure of satisfaction
to watch our branches flourishing everywhere under the dynamic leadership
of its eminent and distinguished Presidents. They all together constitute
the backbone of this Society for projecting its magnificent image and
in spreading the Punjabi ethos. Long serve International
Punjabi Society rooted in tradition!
