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| Message from Jassi Khangura |
First, a huge thank you to all who were such kind hosts when I visited the Bay Area of California in February. It was a brief visit and, as ever, I met old and new supporters, and discovered more about the Indian Diaspora in that area. I also learned more about what NRIs feel regarding the blacklist the government holds, which affects their travels, which has prompted me to write a letter to the Prime Minister (see below for more info).
At home in the halqa we have had a month filled with rural sports, which my father and I are always keen to support. There has been the usual great display of fitness, skill, team work and determination, sometimes against the odds, and I am proud to be from a State where sporting prowess is important on so many levels. I hope that our Government will, one day, manage to find a more organised and clean way to support our sportsmen and women beyond the token words and bandwagon jumping of recent years (witness the most unsportsmanlike attempts of Sukhbir Badal to inflict himself on national hockey this year). Sports are the best way to keep mind and body healthy, and that, along with sportsmanship and teamwork can only be a major positive in a State that needs to make many leaps forward in the coming years. Jassi asks the Punjab Government to support our current and rising sporting stars with proper policy and facilities.
I sign off, as usual, by saying thanks to those of you who contribute with feedback, photographs and support each month. It's been good to meet some of you on Twitter also (@JassiKhangura), and hopefully, now, more of you on Facebook (see below).
Best regards
Jassi Khangura, MLA |
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| Fighting against NRI Blacklist injustices: letter to PM |
| As mentioned above, Jassi learned much more about how this issue affects NRIs on a daily basis on a recent visit to USA and Canada. This issue is frequently raised at the moment, and, rather than just complain about it, Jassi decided to write to the Prime Minister to set out just how the issues affect the Diaspora, and to suggest ways that unnecessary negative impacts could be mitigated, without jeopardising national security or harmony. To read his letter to the Prime Minister, click here. Jassi also held a press conference in Chandigarh on 2nd March to explain more of the background to the gathered media. Some of the resulting press coverage can also be viewed by clicking here. |
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| California Bay Area and Canada Visits |
| Jassi visited the Bay Area between 12 and 15 Feb for the wedding of Sukhjit to Jagjit, daughter of Mr Randheer Singh Khangura. Whilst there Jassi made the most of the opportunity to meet NRIs and spread the word about the political and social challenges in Punjab and to work towards strengthening partnerships with the Diaspora. As ever, the visits were strengthening, informative and motivational. |
Ravi Singh Dosanjh, Jaswinder Singh Sohal, Tanjod Singh Dosanjh, Jagtar Singh Dosanjh (father of bridegroom), Jassi Khangura, Randheer Singh Khangura (father of bride), Surjit Singh Sohal. Jagjeet Singh and Sukhjit Kaur
Dosanjh (sitting). |
Jassi Khangura, Subedaar Surjit Singh Khangura (Grandfather of the bride), Gurcharn Singh Bhatt, Gary Singh Grewal, Paul Singh Dhaliwal, Jag Singh Khangura, Balraj Singh Khangura, Piara Singh Pannu, and Friends. Jagjeet Singh and Sukhjit Kaur Dosanjh (bride and groom) |
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| Home Visits |
| Jassi visited the home of Baljinder Butari of San Jose who, along with his family, gave a very warm welcome. |
Mrs. Kamal Butari (Wife of Baljinder Butari), Daughter Rimi,
Jassi Khangura MLA, Baljinder Butari and son Maninder. |
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| Visit to Guru Nanak Parkash Gurudwara, Tracy, California |
| Jassi visited Guru Nanak Parkash Gurudwara at Tracy in California on 14th February with Damdami Taksaal's 11th Head Sant Sunder Singh ji. |
Surjit Singh Deol, a headmaster and author of books on the lives of saints, honoured Jassi Khangura with a memento. Jassi thanked everyone and encouraged them to contact him in Punjab.
Baba Dharam Singh, head of Gurudwara Guru Nanak Parkash, also honored Jassi Khangura with a siropa. |
Head Master Surjit Singh Deol honouring Jassi Khangura with a memento. Also present are Major Singh Deol, Amarjeet Singh Deol, Gurbachan Singh, Major Singh Kular, Jagtar Singh Deol, Gurdev Singh, Surjeet Singh Boparai, Satpal Singh Deol, Col. Sarbjeet Singh Deol,
Kuldip Singh Deol,
Sukhjinder Singh Deol |
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| Visit to San Jose Gurudwara |
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Jassi Khangura was proud to visit the world famous Gurudwara in San Jose, during his trip to the Bay Area.
Jassi was provided a tour of the new facilities under construction. Naturally, the scale was massive compared to his earlier experiences of Gurudwaras in the UK. Jassi is proud that the upcoming facilities will make this Gurudwara a true asset for the Sikh community.
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During the same visit he discussed NRI issues and emphasised the importance of NRIs adopting villages to work towards their upliftment.
On this occasion Hardev Singh, Bhupinder Singh Dhillon, Gurdev Singh Kalsi, Rajinder Singh Magar, Neetu S. Kahlon and Jasvir Singh Pawar honoured Jassi Khangura. |
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| Adopt a village request from Jassi |
Among those accompanying Jassi at the Fremont Gurudwara were Kamaljit Singh Khangura, Balbir Singh Sekhon, Jagdish Singh Khangura, Jassi Gill, Kaur Singh Cheema, 7-11 stores’ owner Ajmer Singh Bittu, Gill Brothers of Fresno and many other leaders from California. |
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Whilst in Fremont and visiting the Gurudwara there, Jassi urged NRIs to “adopt” a village in Punjab to help channel development and upliftment efforts effectively and constructively. He said that by doing so, NRIs could really see the difference their assistance was making to the rural community and that, in turn, would encourage more such philanthropic efforts. Jassi firmly believes that the Diaspora can fill the huge gap left by the Government by working with development partners and local people to bring about upliftment in their chosen villages. As ever, Jassi is more than happy to talk more to anyone about this. He said there was no reason Punjab could not attain levels of development to rival that of California, given vision, determination and a government ready to follow a path of development in the true spirit of democracy rather than looking after the interests of a few. |
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| Dinner hosted in honour of MLA Harry Lali, on 27 February |
| Jassi was very pleased to welcome Mr Harry Lali, MLA New Democratic Party, British Columbia to a dinner on 27th February at Majestic Park Plaza. Mr Lali is a long standing MLA and was given a good reception by a diverse group of NRIs, including many from Canada who knew
Mr Lali and the work that he does.
Mr Lali gave his opinions on issues facing NRIs and also said that he did not wish to play party politics in Punjab, as he had friends in both main parties. He did however say that he appreciates the work that Jassi is doing. |
Harry Lali MLA Yale – Lillooet,
Jassi Khangura, Deep Jagera, Jagmohan Singh |
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| Vidhan Sabha |
The Budget Session dates have been announced as 4 – 26 March. This is a long session and therefore Jassi is optimistic that it will be more successful than the last one or two. He has started filing his questions for the Session and we will report the results of those to you in the next newsletter.
Jassi has written a letter to the Chief Minister, expressing his hope for a positive, forward moving, and effective Session not marred by disruption and evasiveness. To read this letter, please click here |
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| Free Sarabjit Singh Campaign |
| We have added a link to our website about this campaign (click here to visit). Jas Uppal, a UK based lawyer, has been building awareness of the Sarabjit Singh case and is in regular contact with Jassi on that and other issues. Jassi and his team have been inspired by Jas’s dedication and determination to bring this case into the spotlight. We asked her how she had come to be doing this, in her very limited spare time. Jassi has been a supporter since first learning of the campaign in its early days. |
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| She says “On the 24th of June 2009, I came across a news report on BBC News on-line report headed 'Hanging of Indian 'Spy' Upheld'... Prior to reading this news report, I had no knowledge of Mr. Sarabjit Singh's case... The more I discovered about the case, the less convinced I became of Mr. Sarabjit Singh's alleged guilt in relation to the crimes he had been convicted of over 19 years ago. The case appeared to be horrendous and one which involved gross abuse of human rights. It was evident even from the information on the web that Mr. Sarabjit Singh did not receive a free trial. I was truly moved by Mr. Sararbjit Singh's plight... |
Jas Uppal |
This case requires the support of people across the world to put pressure on the Government to release and return Mr. Sarabjit Singh to his wife, two daughters and his sister in India. He has suffered enough; Mr. Sarabjit Singh has been in solitary confinement for the last 19 years and for most of his sentence he has been shackled in a small cell which is so compact that he cannot stand upright (please note the facts of the case at www.freesarabjitsingh.com). This is a humanitarian case. My Sikh faith believes in and promotes human rights and service to humanity. I hope that I can practice and demonstrate my faithby way of supporting this case. I am |
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| sure that those of youreading this article and the facts of the case on the campaign web page will be motivated into do something. A fellow human being cannot be left to rot in a foreign prison and be bullied by a State.”
(for the full story about how and why Jas has made it her mission to bring this case to light, in her own words, click here. It’s a touching story and shows the power of communication in our world today.) |
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| CHKM |
| The Certificate in Hotels Kitchen Management course continues to have a positive impact on those who have completed it. A key course goal is to provide vocational skills to rural youth, enabling them to compete with those who have were more widely exposed and educated. I recently received a very encouraging letter from a first batch CKHM student Sunil Airy, who is now very proud to be working as a management trainee for an international fast food chain. He says “Working with a great team is a great success for me in my career and right now I am working here at KFC's first drive-thru in North India as a manager trainee for drive-thru with complete hold on shifts and coordinating with RGM and Area Coach.” This, more than anything, explains why we establish these courses. |
Sunil Airy |
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| Khandoor Satellite Dairy Unit opens for Macro Dairy Ventures Pvt Ltd |
February 10th saw the opening of the satellite dairy unit at Khandoor. This was a wonderful day which brought together Women Entrepreneurs, MDVL staff, the Khangura family and other village representatives. Everyone joined to bless the new unit, and to take part in the lottery allocation of animals to the new Women Entrepreneurs as they embark on their life-changing path.
With Phallewal Satellite Dairy Unit running so well, there was a great feeling of buoyancy and joy at the start of Khandoor’s unit, and the MDVL team are, as ever, proud to note another milestone in this remarkable journey.
Another first at Khandoor is the start of works on a biogas plant to reduce the carbon footprint of MDVL and enable the SU to be largerly off grid.
The Khandoor Satellite Dairy Unit, with a capacity for 800 animals, will provide gainful opportunity for 160 unemployed women, direct employment for another 40 persons, and will support 50 farmers with the contract farming of fodder. |
Bibi Gurdial Kaur Khangura, S. Jagpal Singh Khangura, Jassi Khangura, Charan Singh Gurm (from Fresno), Deepak Khandoor and MDVL's Director of CSR Dr Renu Suri at the opening ceremony on 10 February 2010. |
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| Team Jassi |
| Mandeep Dhaliwal is the team member we meet this month. Mandeep joined us working with the CHKM course and then transferred across to be Jassi’s assistant in October 2008. Mandeep handles travel, printing, all halqa related enquiries, has a team of 4 people dealing with day to day Trust and halqa work and, at election times, works tirelessly with Jassi’s team to gather all the data, keep databases up to date, and field teams coordinated. Mandeep also still co-ordinates the CHKM trainees. Mandeep was recently perfectly described as “very informative, extremely helpful and fiercely loyal to both her boss, and his noble plans.” |
Mandeep Dhaliwal |
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| Social Networking |
| Jassi has joined Facebook! He's been tweeting for a month (@JassiKhangura) and now is expanding in the social networking sphere. It's a personal page, not a fan site or group, and he'll be updating from his BlackBerry whenever he can, so you get a better idea of who Jassi is. Friend him at Jassi Khangura. |
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| New Year’s Resolutions |
Jassi’s ploughing on with his resolutions! He’s managed to lose some weight this month. He’s also stuck entirely to the Innova for travelling around the halqa and Delhi. Additionally, we took an update on light bulbs from Manu Sood, Park Plaza’s engineering chief, who told us that of almost 3,000 light bulbs in the building, the majority are now CFLs. He’s waiting for appropriate technology to allow him to replace the balance bulbs in awkward places in the banqueting halls, to make the property 100% compliant with our own goals.
“How’s Jassi doing on his weight loss regime? Click Here to find out.” |
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Best regards,
Jassi Khangura MLA
Punjab's Most Responsive MLA
Read my CV Read My Communications Watch My Videos Go To My Website
Office: +91 161 4378030
Mobile: +91 98761 97761
Fax: +91 161 277 1888
www.qilaraipur.org |
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