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Punjabi group celebrates 10th anniversary with a mela

November 2012

Kabaddi.

The Sikh Educational Welfare Association, Inc. (SEWA) of Atlanta commemorated its 10th anniversary on the afternoon of September 29, 2012 by organizing a fun-filled Punjabi mela (festival) at the Sewa Gurdwara Grounds in Roswell, Ga. The beautifully decorated green fields were packed with spectators, players, performers, and vendors. The mela started at 2 pm with an array of exciting games: volleyball, ladies’ matka (pot) races, kid’s races, and Tug of War. The most popular race of the day was the couple’s three-legged race where twenty-four couples competitively raced to the finish line in the hopes of claiming victory.

The Doaba Kabaddi Club of Chicago played SEWA Sports Club Atlanta in an exciting match.

The main attraction was the much-anticipated kabaddi game between SEWA Sports Club Atlanta and Doaba Kabaddi Club of Chicago. Spectators enthusiastically watched the kabaddi match for over 45 minutes and enjoyed every moment of it. Local Sikh community leaders Dr. Jagjeet Singh Sidhu, Gursharan Singh Pannu, and Dr. Gulbarg Singh Basi welcomed the players and awarded them with trophies. Amrik Singh received the best raider award and Gurdial Singh, aka Bobby, was named best stopper. Barjinder Singh from Cartersville, who also hosted the kabaddi players, awarded the Chicago team with a check for $1,200. S. Bhaji Singh Dhillon provided commentary for the match and ensured that the crowd enjoyed the games to the fullest.

Jallebian, goll guppas, and other ethnic Indian foods were available from several food stalls.

Moksha dance group.

The sports were followed by a colorful and vibrant cultural program. Jasleen Kaur, Hardeep Singh Dhillon, Ravinder Randhawa, and budding star Jagpreet Singh entertained the crowd with their solo songs. The energetic kid’s bhangra performance was directed by Prableen Kaur Saini. The Moksha dance team rocked the stage with their lively and well-coordinated dance and the Sekhons surprised the crowd with their bhangra moves. The cultural program that lasted for more than ninety minutes concluded with ladies’ gidha and a grand finale boys’ bhangra performance that brought the crowd of 600-plus people to their feet.

Ladies' with matka (pot).

The event was covered on TV Asia and Punjabi newspapers. Along with SEWA Chairman, Dr. Jagjeet Singh Sidhu, the main organizers of the event, Bhaji S. Dhillon, Navdeep Singh Mann, and Navdeep Singh Bhullar, thanked the mela participants, vendors and volunteers and promised to make the Punjabi Mela an annual event. For more about SEWA, please see www.sewageorgia.org.