$115,000 Raised at Sikh Human Development Foundation’s Event for scholarships for Punjab's Needy students

Dr. G.P. Singh speaking during the event.

Washington , July 15, 2010 : “This is an evening to celebrate because 396 boys and girls have already graduated with professional degrees and most have found good jobs. They, in turn, are financing the education of their brothers and sisters. Thus, your scholarship is not building one life; it is building several lives." With these words, Amar Jit Singh Sodhi, Chairman of the Sikh Human Development Foundation, opened the 5th fund raising event marking the 10th anniversary of the organization at the Sheraton Premier hotel in Vienna, Virginia, on June 20, 2010. SHDF provides scholarships for higher education to needy students who come from households earning less than dollar a day per person. SHDF, in the last ten years, has provided 1457 scholarships in Northern Indian states including Punjab.

Over 450 guests from all over the Washington area, helped raise over $115,000 during this gala dinner event, titled 'Umeedan di Shaam'.

Mr. Sodhi added, “Believe me, these scholarships are transforming lives. They indeed are transforming lives. Therefore, this is an evening to celebrate. In fact, I should say thank you 1,457 times because you have touched the lives of 1457 students with scholarships; you have brightened their future. You have given them hope."

Abinash Singh, SHDF board member and an official at Northrop Grumman, introduced the chief guest of the evening, Dr. G.P.Singh , an entrepreneur from San Antonio, TX and a Trustee of the Sikh Spirit Foundation. Baldev Singh, an entrepreneur based in Maryland and a former Deputy Speaker of the Punjab assembly, presented a plaque honoring G.P.Singh on behalf of the organization.

While delivering his keynote speech, G.P. Singh, said, "All of us came to the US as immigrants and have done very well for ourselves. In fact, no matter how you analyze it, we live better than 98% of the world population. Now, think about it, if people in the top 2% won't help our brothers and sisters in need, who will? Your support of $40 a month, to help educate a young person, who is smart and well deserving, cannot only change his/her life but also transform an entire family. In my opinion this is the best $40/month you will ever spend. I urge you to support as many students as you can. This is a very worthwhile cause."

He added, "SHDF has supported several hundred students over the past 10 years. Evidence has shown that your support to help educate a young person transforms the entire family. This is particularly true as they get a job and start helping their family. The whole family is uplifted out of poverty. Your support can have an unbelievable impact. Please support SHDF and young students."

Dr. G.P. Singh being honored by Baldev Singh	Dr. Pavanjit Kaur Sawhney speaking during the event.

Parvinder Kaur, a Trustee of the Sikh Spirit Foundation and the wife of G.P. Singh, said, “SHDF event was very well organized. While there was great entertainment, best part was to meet so many like minded people and help raise nearly 115,000 dollars. Congratulations to the organizers for doing a fabulous job.”

Dr. Pavanjit Kaur Sawhney, the guest of honor, who has exceeded the donation of $100,000 to SHDF, made a passionate appeal to the audience to support the program. She said, “Most of us gathered tonight are immigrants. We came to the US for better education and opportunity and for the future of our children. With the grace of God, we have achieved abundance, more than most of us could imagine. For most of us this is the result of our education, our parent’s support, and sometimes luck. Education is liberation, Education is freedom. Education is the most important instrument to eradicate poverty". While talking about her visit to meet some scholarship recipients in India , she said, “I still can see the faces of these young students working on fulfilling their dreams. Please think of them this evening and find it in your heart to do the best that you can.” Dr. Sawhney was given a plaque by Permvir Singh, an active member of the Sikh community in Virginia , and who has recently become a gold circle donor of SHDF by donating $25,000.

A moving video, featuring comments and sentiments expressed by scholarship recipients in India was shown to the audience. Dr. Rajwant Singh and Gajinder Singh Ahuja, Director Outreach and Secretary General of SHDF respectively, followed this by appealing to the audience to donate and pledge their support. They laid out the target of raising money for 100 scholarships of $425.00 each. The audience gave a thundering response within minutes by supporting over 125 scholarships. Many other large donations poured in.

Gajinder S Ahuja & Dr. Rajwant Singh appealing for funds during the event.	Giddha performance at the event.

Dr. Rajwant Singh, emcee of the event, expressed his joy at the response of the audience. He declared that “This is the only place that so many people have gathered for the cause of supporting higher education in Punjab . No other NGO has invested as much for the youth back home and this audience deserves our heartfelt thanks for their generosity. We hope to replicate this effort in other parts of the US and the world.”

High energy Giddha by 15 Washingtonian ladies, enthralled the audience with their charm, fast clapping and their recreation of Punjab ’s folk scene. They prepared for the dance for months. It is noteworthey that all of them are volunteers and most of them are professionals. Amanpreet Kaur , Preet Amrit Kaur and Dr. Harminder Kaur Mangat put this entire performance together.

Parminder Seen singing with her musical group	Meeta Saluja presenting plaque to Parminder Seen, Amar J. S. Sodhi on the right

In addition, a leading female artist in North America , Parminder Seen, entertained the audience with her rendering of popular Punjabi songs and her melodious voice. Parminder runs a school teaching Indian classical music in NY. She was accompanied by 8 musicians this evening. Ms. Seen was introduced by Dr. Kirpal Kaur Bajaj, another Gold circle donor of SHDF, who donated $25,000 for the "noble cause". Meeta Kaur Saluja, a major donor for SHDF, gave a plaque to Ms. Seen honoring her for her performance.

Veena Oberoi, Public Relations officer of SHDF thanked the volunteers and the guests for their support in ‘making this event a great success’.

According to Gajinder Singh Ahuja, Secretary General of SHDF, “the foundation awards scholarships without distinction of caste, religion or gender. Mr. Ahuja stated that the foundation’s mission was to financially empower needy students and help them realize their full potential by improving their access to higher professional education. 396 Scholarhips recipients have already graduated in various disciplines of engineering, medicine, nursing and many other professions. The funds raised here will be distributed to the scholarship recipients through the SHDF partner organization, Nishkam Sikh Welfare Council in Delhi , after the selection criteria is fulfilled.”

Volunteers of SHDF	Gajinder Singh Ahuja, Dr. Kirpal Kaur and Baldev Singh

Voluteers who helped in selling tickets, preparing the materials for the evening and helped at the reception were : Manpreet Singh, Sarabjit Singh Bakshi, Meenu Kaur Nandra, Mona Kaur Babra, Meeta Broca, Rimmi Kaur, Harsharan Kaur, Mandeep Singh, Manranjan Singh, Sehejneet Kaur, Zeena Kaur Sodhi, Romy Gumer, Rajinder Singh Babra, Satinder Kaur Sodhi, Kawaljit Singh Bhutani, and Surinder Kaur Ahuja. Event EQ provided the DJ music and the sound system.

Audience joined in celebrating the success of the event.	Penni Sandhu and Karl Khandalvala of Jus Punjabi were also felicitated

Penni Sandhu and Karl Khandalvala of Jus Punjabi TV channel were also recognized for their contribution in promoting humanitarian initiatives like SHDF.