Philippines gets first Punjabi school
Monday, 01/12/2014
http://epaper.dailypostindia.com/Details.aspx?id=119975&boxid=58761&uid=&dat=2014-12-01
Sultanpur Lodhi : Punjabis in Philippines have scored a milestone globally by getting first Punjabi school for their children.
All thanks to Indian Ambassador D L Ralte and renowned environmentalist Baba Balbir Singh Seechewal, who laid the foundation of first Punjabi school in Philippines. They also inaugurated the new building of a gurdwara, which was located in the vicinity of Panki City on Mankada road.
A large number of Punjabi community people were settled in different cities of Philippines and lack of Punjabi schools was a major problem for them. The idea was to connect the present generation with Punjabi language, traditions and customs through the setting up of a Punjabi School.
The construction work of the school has started. In the first phase 18 rooms would be built while the Punjabis in Philippines had openly donated funds for the construction of rooms.
Baba Seechewal in an official communication said that the school and the gurdwara building was being constructed with the active participation of the Sikh Sangat in Philippines. “The gurdwara was established on Panki- Mankadqa road in five acres of land and the school would also be constructed there. This was the first of its kind Punjabi School in Philippines,” he said. In his address, Indian Ambassador D L Ralte said that with their determined approach and hard work, Punjabis have made a name for their country-India in a foreign country.
“This has become possible with the guidance of Baba Seechewal, who was instrumental in bringing the Punjabi community on one platform in Philippines. It was a matter of pride that Baba Seechewal, who was leading name in save environment campaign in India was also guiding Punjabis abroad,” he added.
Earlier, the Indian Embassy authorities gave a patient hearing to the problems faced by Punjabi people in Philippines. On this occasion, leading personalities from other gurdwaras including a large number of Punjabi community from San Pablo, Dagupan, Vigan, Tarlak, Urdaneta, Sanhoje, Cebu City, Santiago, Bagio and Kandano cities were also present. The Indian Ambassador and Baba Seechewal were honoured on this occasion.
