Punjabis join Singapore's 50th yr of independence celebrations

Singapore's Punjabi community joined celebrations around the city-state's 50th year of independence through a host of colourful cultural programmes to promote their culture.
Indian High Commission here and Singapore Khalsa Association (SKA) organised a show led by Amritsar Natak Kala Kender, a 60-year-old drama group of the legendary Punjabi playwright late Gursharan Singh.
Local Punjabi 'bhangra' groups and singer Surinder Saini from Punjab were part of the entertainment attended by more over 500 Punjabis and their community leaders, celebrating this month's 'Baisakhi' festival in the city-state.
High Commissioner Vijay Thakur Singh gave prizes to students who had topped their local examination last year, highlighting the success of younger Punjabi generation here.

The show was part of the ongoing cultural exchanges between India and Singapore as part of the city-state's 50th year of independence (SG50) celebration.
"This event is part of the SG50 celebration. It helps promote and keep alive Punjabi culture in Singapore," SKA President, Ltc-Col Charanjit Singh, told PTI yesterday.

"We are very proud to have joined the Singapore Punjabi community," said Chandigarh-based eye specialist Areet Kaur, who manages the drama group started by her father Gursharan Singh.
The Amritsar Natak Kala Kender has been performing for Punjabi diaspora in the United States, Canada, Europe and Asia since 1980s, said Kaur.

The 'Baisakhi' celebration will end with a day-long 'mela' or fair and sports, including Hockey and Kabbadi, on May 1 with people of from all walks of life participating including Punjabis from India working in Singapore.
'Baisakhi' festival marks the time for harvest of rabi crops and also marks the Punjabi new year.