SURREY On 20th annual day celebrations of the Scott Road Punjabi Bazaar Association Surrey-Delta, Dr Raghbir Singh Bains, the pioneer president of Punjabi Bazaar was honoured to receive the “appreciation award” for his outstanding and exemplary contribution to seek governmental recognition for the Bazaar by motivating “Surrey City Council” and “Delta City Council” and to put Punjabi street signs in the area by their respective governments.
It was really a challenge at that time but Bains continuously pursued the demand with both Councils and ultimately succeeded in achieving the results. It was a big achievement in those days when there was strong opposition from host communities against such demands by the immigrants. The display of street signs in Punjabi language added to the Asian flavor of Bazaar and provided an identity to the Punjabi business community in British Columbia.
It was not the end. There was a threat to the business establishments in Punjabi Bazaar area by the criminals in those days. Bains worked hard with Delta City Council to open a “Community Police Station” in the Bazaar to curb criminal activities in the area. The demand was acceded but community had to subsidize money for its expenses for some time. It is worth to mention that it was first of its kind police station out of Punjab where services were provided in Punjabi language.
During tenure of Bains as president, the Punjabi Bazar Association with cooperation of other members like Sadhu Singh Samra, Ajaib Singh Sidhu, Manjit Singh Gandam, Manga Bassi, Surinder Singh Rai, Amarjit Singh Samra and other members of the then Association made strenuous efforts to make first of its kind “Sikh Miri Piri Parade” a success in Surrey-Delta. Dr Bains and his team had made utmost efforts to beatify the bazaar area for business growth.
‘PICS’ chief and an activist of community Charan Pal Gill was honoured for his community services. Police Chief of Delta Jim Cessford was also honoured for helping to curb the crime in the area since when he joined Delta in 1995.
In his address, Bains thanked the Punjabi Bazar Association and appealed the community to respect multicultural network so that Canada becomes a more peaceful haven to live.
The Association wants to thank the City of Delta for their kind support in helping to make the annual Mela possibly by providing free policing and other accomodations.
