Fund-raising for rural Punjab

It was a night of dancing, singing, great entertainment and dinner on the night of October 12, and it was all for a good cause. Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) Sydney North West (SNW) was back on the cultural scene with their third annual ‘Caring & Sharing’ dinner and dance programme. Held at the Sapphire (previously known as The Main Event) Function Centre in Blacktown, the organisation truly impressed the audience with artists performing dances and crooning tunes, all accompanied by a banquet.

After a fashionably late start, Masters of Ceremonies Neeru Singh and Indira Dhamoon began the night by highlighting GOPIOSNW’s charitable achievements. The organisation started in 2008, and it raises funds to help underprivileged schools in India by providing them with warm clothing, uniforms and other basic amenities. Mr Harmohan Singh Walia, Chairperson of GOPIOSNW, travelled to India in February 2012 to provide such facilities for a school in the Ganja District of Gurdaspur. They provided similar facilities in Zira, Ferozepur.

Mr Walia said he and his organisation were motivated to start this annual charity event after seeing the plight of underprivileged children in schools in Punjab.

“We come from Punjab. We know that there are underprivileged schools in the state. We also know that during winter, they actually shiver in the cold. They don’t even have shoes and socks. And some students can’t actually go to schools because of the cold.

So we persuaded and motivated parents to send the children to school while we provide the warm clothing,” he stated.

“GOPIO-SNW provides underprivileged children with whatever they need after talking to them and assessing the situation. Shoes, socks, uniforms and warm clothing are a must, but we also provide fans, furniture and the like as needed,” added Mr Walia.

The evening began aptly with the invoking of Lord Ganesh by Lakshmi from Isha Foundation, with Vakratunda Mahakaya and Agajaananam. The dhamaka started with Jagpreet Grover taking centrestage. Jagpreet, winner of the Indian Australian Idol 2011 contest, won the audience over with his rocking rendition of Tere mast mast do nain and Jee karda. His versatility, ease at reaching the high notes and his dynamic stage presence made sure the entertainer in him was on full display.

The Kathak-loving sisters Michelle and Cheryl Khurana kept up the youthful energy on stage. Young artist Michelle awed everyone with her maturity and polished dancing style. In her Kajra re and Main vari vari combo, Michelle was graceful in her dance movements and exquisite in her facial expressions. Her elder sister, Cheryl, teased the audience with her Dil cheez kya hai from Umrao Jaan and certainly lived up to its standards!

But that was not all. The audience was in for a treat when Jagpreet and Cheryl’s song-anddance jugalbandhi of sorts, to various Bollywood numbers, including the extremely classical and challenging Mere dholna from Bhool Bhulaiyya. The duo was a lethal combination and a delight to watch.

The vibe continued with Bollywood dancing from university students, a quiz show and a comedy show. International singer Navjeet Kahlon added further colour to the night by rendering a

Punjabi song, which the audience immediately recognised and appreciated.

After watching all the performances, it was the audience’s turn to shake a leg on the dance floor and how! They rocked and rolled, dancing to all of their favourite Punjabi songs. The event was a great way to unwind on a Friday night and was well patronised by the Punjab community. The jam-packedhall was testimony to this. Malavika

Santhebennur