News and pics: Rons Bantwal

Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai (EP)

Mumbai, Apr 11: A mega event Baisakhi Di Raat, amidst thousands of Punjabis and mix of Mumbaites, was headed by Congress leader Charan Singh Sapra (former-MLC), chairman - Punjabi Cultural Heritage Board (PCHB) at Matoshree Sports Club Ground, JVLR, Andheri (E) on Sunday April 11. It was witness to Punjabis and non-Punjabis relishing the Punjabi culture.

Baisakhi is a Punjabi festival that farmers traditionally observe as thanksgiving by expressing their gratitude for abundant harvest and praying for prosperity in the future. PCHB has been spearheading the promotion of Punjabi culture and heritage since many years by organizing various socio cultural programmes. The highlight of the event was the glittering awards ceremony whereby personalities who have excelled in different spheres were honoured with prestigious 'Punjabi Icon Awards'.

This year’s award winners were Randeep Hooda (Bollywood actor), Prabhu Chawla (senior editor), Prahlad Kakar (ad man), Pooja Bhatt (Bollywood actress), Ruby Dhalla (former MP, Canadian Congress), Surender Singh Kandhari (Al Dobowi Group – Dubai), Vivek Chand Burman (Dabur Group), Rajinder Singh Chadha (Wave Group), Jaiveer Shergill (senior advocate SC), among others.

Chief guest S Amarinder Singh Brar (president – Indian Youth Congress) said, “I am fascinated by the mammoth gathering. I have never seen such a crowd in Punjab. I appreciate Sapra for keeping the community knitted thereby uniting the Punjabis of Maharashtra. Sanjay Nirupam (president – MRCC) and KTS Tulsi (MP and senior advocate – Supreme Court) were the guests of honour.

Mix of cultural electrifying musical performance by actor and Punjabi pop singer Diljit Doosanjh kept the crowd on their toes. Standup comedy by Rajiv Thakur and anchoring by Satinder Satti enthralled the
crowd. Other Bollywood personalities present were Gulshan Grover, Rohit Roy, Jitendra among others.