By Balwant Sanghera
RICHMOND – For more than two years, Punjabi classes have been in full swing at India Cultural Centre of Canada’s Gurdwara Nanak Niwas (#5 Road, Richmond). This school year’s last Punjabi class was held on August 17. In order to celebrate the conclusion of their Punjabi classes, a function was organized for students and their parents at the Gurdwara. Kashmir Kaur Johal, a prominent member of the Gurdwara management, presented certificates to all of the students who participated in the Punjabi classes throughout the year. Also, a number of young volunteers at the Gurdwara were presented with certificates of appreciation by Mrs. Johal.
As part of this celebration, the students of the Punjabi classes recited beautiful poems,gurbani,names of colors, body parts, fruits and vegetables etc.(in Punjabi). They also recited the names of the ten gurus of the Sikh Faith,Punjabi alphabet, counting and various other items in Punjabi. Chain Batth, president of India Cultural Centre of Canada’s Gurdwara Nanak Niwas, Punjabi teacher Prabhjit Kaur and I congratulated the students for their interest in Punjabi. Also, present on this occasion were a large number of parents of the students as well as some members of the Gurdwara management including Balbir Singh Jawanda, Sohan Singh Basi, Mohan Singh Sandhu and others. Every one enjoyed refreshments including vegetarian pizza provided by Tarlochan Singh Batth’s Round Table Pizza in Richmond. It was great to see a large number of parents present for this celebration.
As the new school year gets under way, so will the Punjabi classes at the Gurdwara . These classes will begin again on Sunday, September 7. The main focus of this initiative is to help children learn to read, write and speak Punjabi and become more aware about their rich cultural heritage.
For the convenience of parents and children there will be three one-hour classes- 2PM to 3 PM, 3PM to 4 PM, and 4 PM to 5PM- staring on Sunday, September 7. Most of the previously registered children and parents already know the timing of their classes. They are requested to arrive at the Gurdwara a few minutes before the child’s class time. New students are also welcome. Gurdwara’s phone # is 604-274-7479. For further information, parents can phone the Gurdwara or contact me at 604-836-8976. Thank you.
