FOR more than two years, Punjabi classes have been in full swing at the 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 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.

As part of this celebration, the students of the Punjabi classes recited poems, gurbani, names of the 10 gurus of the Sikh faith, names of colors, body parts, fruits and vegetables, and so on in Punjabi.

Chain Batth, President of Gurdwara Nanak Niwas, Punjabi teacher Prabhjit Kaur and Balwant Sangera 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 and Mohan Singh Sandhu.

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 – 2 to 3 p.m., 3 to 4 p.m., and 4 to 5 p.m. – staring on Sunday, September 7. Most of the previously registered children and parents already know the timing of their classes.

For further information, parents can phone the gurdwara at 604-274-7479 or contact Balwant Sanghera at 604-836-8976.

(Info by Balwant Sanghera, Richmond)

Photo by Chandra Bodalia