AFTER the play “Sandookadi Kholh Narainia” by Dr. Sahib Singh at the White Rock Players’ Club on July 20 and 21, former premier Ujjal Dosanjh was bestowed with the Dr. Ambedkar Arts and Literature Award for his debut novel, “The Past is Never Dead.”

Buddh Das Virdi, retired Indian Economic Services member, was presented with the Dr. Ambedkar Social Justice Award for his contributions to policy and program development that helped reducing poverty in the rural areas of India.

The organizers also recognized Dr. Sahib Singh with the “Excellence in Punjabi Theater Award.”

Honoring Dosanjh was a joint community effort led by the Chetna Association of Canada and Dynamic Creative Horizons, with the support Shri Guru Ravidass Sabha of Vancouver, AICS [Ambedkarite International Co-ordination Society] Canada and AISRO [Ambedkar International Social Reform Organization] Canada.

The various organizations were represented by Lamber Rao, Param Kainth, Rashpaul Bharadqaj, Jai Birdi, Surinder Sandhu, Navjot Dhillon and Inderjit.

Dr. Sahib Singh, a prominent dramatist from Punjab, is on a tour across Canada. Chetna Association of Canada and Dynamic Creative Horizons arranged with Singh to perform his play in White Rock on July 20 and 21.

Sandiokadi Kholh Narainia is a story of three youth of Punjab. All three characters are played by Dr. Sahib Singh who is also credited with writing and directing his plays.

Chetna’s next event is a screening of a short film on women empowerment, “Whistle.” This is a part of celebrating the Gender Equality Week. The screening will be on September 14 at 1:30 p.m. at Dr. Ambedkar Room of Surrey Center Library on University Drive.