“Punjab has ample scope of international tourism opportunities as the state has one of the best cultures of the world. The only need is to preserve, protect and promote the great historic places of Punjab as ‘World Heritage Spots/ Places’ and subsequently get them recognized subsequently get them recognized by UNESCO. As member of the heritage committee, formed by Prime Minister Canada Mr. Harper, I’m also involved in heritage activities concerning Canada, but at the same time I’m committed to work for the promotion of Punjab heritage in Canada and North America,” declared Mr. Tim Singh Uppal, Member Parliament M.P. from Edmonton, Canada while speaking in the function/ Samaroh organized by Punjab Cultural Promotion Council, under the Chairmanship of ISCA member Mr. Davinder Singh Chhina here in the city today.

          M.P. Mr. Tim Singh Uppal is currently on a ten day tour to Punjab to interact with Punjabi Community, visit his village Bassian near Raikot. He has already taken up the cases of Visas to Punjabis, with the immigration officials and visa officers at Canadian Consulate, Chandigarh and Canadian High Commission at New Delhi. “The percentage in visas to Punjabis may get increased in the coming days, as a result of meetings, with the concerned officials,” disclosed Canadian M.P. Mr. Tim Singh Uppal.

          Sporting a blue Turban and flowing Beard, this young Canadian M.P. had already imparted training in Bhangra nad Kabaddi to many “Canada Born Youth” in the last more than a decade. “I inspire the young Punjabi generation settled there to get connected to heritage roots of Punjab and I encourage them to learn Punjab folk dances, Kabaddi, Dhol, Gatka, Kavishri etc.” said Mr. Uppal.

          Mr. Tim Uppal appreciated the role of Punjab Cultural Promotion Council’s Director Davinder Singh Chhina, in highlighting Punjab heritage on Global Platform. “Such efforts of International cooperation & International Sport-Cultural exchanges, must be endorsed on the community level” said Mr. Uppal.

          Speaking on this occasion PCPC Director Davinder Singh Chhina said that Punjabi Community has high hopes on this young Canadian M.P., who is deeply connected with culture-sports activities in Canada too. “PCPC would work in the promotion of Punjabi Heritage in North-American continent, in close cooperation with Mr. Tim Uppal, as PCPC regards Mr. Uppal in high esteems, as far as the promotion of Punjabi Heritage and Sikh-ethics, Sikh-tenets are concerned. Mr. Uppal is Canadian born Punjabi, who has sticked to the Sikh-tenets in his life and found his entry into the Canadian Parliament as a turbaned and bearded sikh, bringing laurels to the sikh-community worldwide,’ said Mr. Chhina.

          PCPC patron Er. D.M. Singh and overseas Director of PCPC Mr. Nirmal Singh Australia were all praise for M.P. Mr. Tim Uppal. “Tim Uppal is a Punjabi gem, working for the cause of Punjabis in Canadian Parliament” said Mr. Nirmal Singh Sydney, who joined PCPC meeting, all the way coming, from Australia.

          PCPC felicitated Mr. Tim Singh Uppal M.P. with “Punjab Di Shan – 2009 Award” and declared him as Overseas Patron of this international folk ensemble, recognized as Global Alliance Partner of UNESCO for Cultural Diversity. 

          Those present on this occasion included Bibi Surinder Kaur Australia, Prof. Balvinderpal Singh (Gurusar Sadhar College), Dr. Pushpinder Singh (Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle), Mr. Iqbal Singh, Mr. Bansi Lal, Mr. Karanbir Singh Chhina ADTO, Advocate Devinder Singh Saini, Principal (retired) S. Gurcharan Singh Brara, Lecturer Jaspreet Mohan Singh, Er. Baldev Singh Bajwa, Mrs. Gurmeet Kaur, International Bhangra stars Mr. Ropan Singh Bajwa, Mr. Rajpal Singh Raju, Jaspreet Singh Bablu, Mr. Charanjit Singh Channy Sandhu, Mr. Talwinder Singh, Ms. Jasneet Kaur, Mr. Navraj Singh Chhina and others. 

          Canadian M.P. Mr. Uppal was also honoured by college management committee of Dalla College, near Jagraon here this afternoon. Principal of the college Dr. Kuldip Kaur Dhaliwal, Zila Parishad Member Dr. Chand Singh Dalla, PCPC Director Davinder Singh Chhina, Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle-Director Youth Empowerment Mr. Iqbal Singh and others honored the Canadian M.P. Tim Uppal for latter’s great services to the Punjabis settled in Canada. International Bhangra star and PCPC International Media Coordinator from Australia Mr. Manjot Singh Mani (Sydney) was also honoured on this occasion. 

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