<div dir="ltr"><h1 class="">PLEA’s 13th Annual International Mother Language Day celebration</h1>
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</div><p><strong><a href="http://www.voiceonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/HEADLINES-PUNJABI-PLEA-sub.jpg" rel="lightbox[53661] attachment wp-att-53662"><img class="" src="http://www.voiceonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/HEADLINES-PUNJABI-PLEA-sub-300x106.jpg" alt="HEADLINES PUNJABI PLEA sub" height="106" width="300"></a>* Businessman Barj Dhahan to establish an award for students learning Punjabi</strong></p>
<p><strong>* MP Randeep Sarai says Punjabi MPs will hold religious and cultural program in April</strong></p>
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<p><strong>THE</strong> Punjabi Language Education Association (PLEA)
celebrated their 13th annual International Mother Language day event on
February 27 at the North Delta Recreation Centre. The audience was
comprised of students, teachers, writers, journalists, community
activists and others.</p>
<p>PLEA President Balwant Sanghera spoke about the current situation of
facilitating Punjabi in public schools across the Lower Mainland. He
noted that Punjabi has now become a language that is necessary for
employment, especially in Surrey. There are many employers that require
that their staff learn Punjabi. Sanghera emphasized the need for the
community to support the Punjabi language movement.</p>
<p>Surrey school trustee Garry Thind stated that the school board must
adhere to provincial policies. Punjabi classes must have at least 25
students registered in order for the class to run. Last year in one
particular school, a new Punjabi class was cancelled due to low
enrollment.</p>
<p>Barj Dhahan, founder of the Dhahan literature prize, announced that
an award would be created for students learning Punjabi. The award will
be established to garner the interest of students towards Punjabi
literature.</p>
<p>Sadhu Binning praised Canada’s exemplary multicultural society, but
suggested that it should have a language policy that reflects the
contemporary demographics. He said that by coincidence, Punjabi is the
third most spoken language in the country and in the current Parliament
as well. Thus, this is a great time to attain recognition for our
language on a federal level. He added that the laws that once prevented
the immigration of Punjabis into Canada were changed. The Canadian
Punjabi community has made a commendable contribution into making this a
welcoming country for all. Binning said that as in the past the Punjabi
community had fought for immigration rights, it should now do the same
for language rights.</p>
<p>Surrey MP Randeep Sarai, who was born in Canada, said that he learned
to speak Punjabi at home with the encouragement of his parents. He then
continued learning at the gurdwara and even went on to learn to read
and write Punjabi at UBC. Sarai affirmed that Punjabi is the third most
common language in Parliament and added that in April, all the Punjabi
MPs will collaborate to hold a religious and cultural program. In regard
to changes to the language policy, Sarai said that it is a long and
difficult process.</p>
<p>Gurdial Singh Neel and Swaranjit Kaur Neel were honoured by PLEA for
their immense contribution to Punjabi language. Harman Pandher, a PLEA
board member and also a Burnaby school trustee, introduced the Neels to
the audience. Pandher spoke about how the couple had taught Punjabi from
1971-1985 at Vancouver Khalsa Diwan Society, Ross Street, and then
later at David Thomson school. Gurdial Singh also played an integral
part in establishing the Punjabi Chair at UBC. The Neels advised parents
to speak in Punjabi with their children at home.</p>
<p>During this program, students learning Punjabi shared poems and
speeches. Prabhjot Singh read two poems called, “My mother tongue” and
“Books.” Grade 5 and 6 students Jasmeet Sidhu, Isha Gill, Giya Gill,
Sukhman Sandhu, Simrat Sidhu and Seva Pandher from Beaver Creek
Elementary School all read poems. Sargun Kaur from LA Matheson shared a
speech and students Jasmilan Gill and Hardeep Rai from Kwantlen
Polytechnic University recited a very enthusiastic rendition of
revolutionary poet Paash’s poem, “We will fight comrade.” Minni Kalra
was the MC for the event.</p>
<p>Paul Binning, an active member of PLEA, thanked Sharon Lally for her
behind-the-scenes contributions to PLEA events. Balwant Sanghera thanked
the audience and PLEA Board members Sadhu Binning, Paul Binning,
Parvinder Dhariwal, Parabjot Kaur, Ranbir Johal, Daya Johal, Harman
Pandher and Rajinder Pandher. NDP MLAs Harry Bains and Bruce Ralston
also attended the event.</p><p><a href="http://www.voiceonline.com/pleas-13th-annual-international-mother-language-day-celebration/">http://www.voiceonline.com/pleas-13th-annual-international-mother-language-day-celebration/</a><br></p><p><br></p><div>-- <br><div class="gmail_signature">**************************************<br>N.b.: Listing on the lgpolicy-list is merely intended as a service to its members<br>and implies neither approval, confirmation nor agreement by the owner or sponsor of the list as to the veracity of a message's contents. Members who disagree with a message are encouraged to post a rebuttal, and to write directly to the original sender of any offensive message. A copy of this may be forwarded to this list as well. (H. Schiffman, Moderator)<br><br>For more information about the lgpolicy-list, go to <a href="https://groups.sas.upenn.edu/mailman/" target="_blank">https://groups.sas.upenn.edu/mailman/</a><br>listinfo/lgpolicy-list<br>*******************************************</div>
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