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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline DECEMBER 26, 2025 | The Indian Eye 20

American Punjabi Society Hosts

Annual Gala Celebrating Culture, Service

and Community Leadership

OUR BUREAU and strengthening community bonds.
Praising APS, he said the organisation
Hicksville, NY
was doing exemplary work through
he American Punjabi Society seva, cultural initiatives, youth em-
(APS) hosted its Annual Gala powerment and humanitarian service,
Tat the Pearl Banquet Hall in and commended President Sikka and
Hicksville on December 10, bringing his team for leadership he described
together elected officials, diplomats, as humble, inclusive and devoted to
business leaders, artists and commu- uplifting the wider community. He
nity members for an evening that cel- urged continued support for APS and
ebrated Punjabi heritage, service and encouraged the passing on of Punjabi
collective leadership. values of hard work, courage, compas-
The programme opened with a sion and service to future generations.
welcome address by APS Vice Presi- The gala’s central moment came
dent Ajay Vir S. Sondhi, who greeted with the presentation of APS’s high-
guests and dignitaries in attendance. est honour, the Punjabi Ratan Award,
General Secretary VPS Sikka then to Harry Singh Bolla, Patron of APS
introduced APS President Gary S. and a respected community leader.
Sikka, describing his leadership as one Recognising his journey from hum-
defined by dedication, passion and ble beginnings to entrepreneurial
an unwavering commitment to seva, and philanthropic success, the award
which he said had taken the organisa- celebrated a life shaped by resilience
tion to new heights. and service. Accepting the honour,
In his opening remarks, President Bolla said his achievements were due
Sikka began by expressing gratitude to to Waheguru’s blessings and the love
Waheguru Ji and Sri Guru Nanak Dev of the community, and dedicated the
Ji, and reaffirmed APS’s core mission award to hardworking Punjabis who
rooted in service, dignity, heritage keep the spirit of seva alive.
and unity. He said the organisation’s International Punjabi film star
achievements, ranging from human- Neeru Bajwa attended the gala as
itarian outreach to cultural program- chief guest and was welcomed with a
ming, were made possible through the standing ovation. In an on-stage in-
collective strength and participation teraction, she shared reflections on
of the community. inent figure in the global Indian dias- by a sitting American president in storytelling, culture and her artistic
A key highlight of the evening pora. Reflecting on his role in facil- more than two decades, Chatwal un- journey. The evening also featured
was the address by Padma Bhushan itating U.S. President Bill Clinton’s derlined the importance of strong cul- a high-energy live performance by
awardee Sant Singh Chatwal, a prom- historic visit to India in 2000, the first tural institutions in preserving identity Continued on next page... >>

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