Chairman of National Commission for Minorities Iqbal Singh Lalpura. File
| Photo Credit: Today News 24
A former IPS officer who is presently the Chairman of the National Commission for Minorities, Iqbal Singh Lalpura on March 10 announced the formation of the Global Punjabi Association (GPA). The association aims to unite the Punjabi community spread across the globe, and promote their language and culture.
According to the members, the GPA— a registered body under the Societies Act— will have its headquarter at Amritsar.
During its launch at his residence in Delhi, Mr. Lalpura said that Punjab had seen bad days which needed no explanation.
“We strongly feel that there are many issues pertaining to Punjabis, which include drug menace and unemployment. Both needs attention and positive approach,” said Mr. Lalpura.
No timely guidance
He added that despite being brilliant, there were many Punjabi youngsters who had not been able to clear competitive exams and were lagging behind due to lack of required proper and timely guidance.
ALSO READ | National Commission for Minorities asks Uttarakhand to clear land for gurdwara
“Our organisation (GPA) would take steps to provide requisite help and guidance to brilliant and deserving Punjabis for placement in competitive exams, services, entrepreneurship and other ventures,” said Mr. Lalpura who added that the other main objective of the formation of the GPA was to take up issues pertaining to Punjab/Punjabis with concerned authorities/organisations/ governments in a peaceful, democratic and legitimate manner for their quick redressal.
“We strongly feel that there are many issues pertaining to Punjabis, which include drug menace and unemployment”Iqbal Singh LalpuraNational Commission for Minorities
Dr. Kulwant Singh Dhaliwal, president of GPA, global ambassador of awareness against cancer (chairman, World Cancer Care, U.K.), said, “GPA would also take steps to devise a mechanism through traditional and collective wisdom for shaping the behaviour of the Punjabi youth in the best way so that they could contribute to developing Punjab, Punjabiyat, sports and education.”
The office-bearers of the GPA said that Gautam Gambhir, former Indian cricketer had also supported the vision of the Global Punjabi Association.
