North American Punjabi Association
North American Punjabi Association or NAPA for short is a non-partisan, non-sectarian global organization with chapters in USA, Canada and United Kingdom, actively promoting the interests of people of Indian origin North America by monitoring and addressing current critical issues of concern, and by enhancing cooperation and communication between groups of Indians living in North America.
Mission
The Mission of the North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) is to promote mutual understanding, respect, appreciation and cooperation among people of faith in North America through extending hospitality, offering educational opportunities, providing moral leadership, sharing in service and working for justice.
Statement of Vision & Values
North American Punjabi Association(NAPA)is committed to:
- Promoting mutual understanding, appreciation, and respect among the region’s diverse religions and cultures;
- Seeking opportunities for conversation, partnership, education, hospitality and celebration among its members;
- Honoring each other’s religious festivals and, where appropriate, sharing together in common prayer;
- Addressing concerns and pursuing common goals that impact the religious communities of North America;
- Providing moral leadership on mutually agreed-upon issues
- Serving needy, hungry, homeless and marginalized people;
- Fostering peace, compassion, kindness, openness and trust; and
- Encouraging one another in embracing these commitments
- To play an important role as a pressure Group in the political System for the great interest of our Community in our back home in Punjab.
Press Release for immediate release
For any question or query
- Contact Persons- Satnam Singh Chahal 408-221-5732
- Congressman John Garamendi Phone: (202) 225-1880,
(925) 757-7187, (707) 438-1822, (925) 932-8899
Anti-bullying Bill will be introduced in the Coming Congress session-
John Garamendi
We can't let an extremist group hijack faith to promote undermine anti- bullying efforts-NAPA
Tracy (California)Oct 18,2012 Anti-bullying Bill will be introduced in the Coming Congress session and when this bill will become law then this will be implemented in the 25000 schools and colleges throughout the United States. This was disclosed here by Congressman and former Lt Governor of California Mr John Garamendi while addressing the Community outreach function organised by North American Punjabi Association (NAPA).He said that he is working very hard on this bill since very long time along with other members of the House of Representatives and he assured the audience that the said bill is ready to be introduced in the House to become a law. Welcoming the Congressman in the event NAPA Chairman Dalwinder Singh Dhoot said that While the unfortunate events of the 9/11 tragedy brought great suffering for the American people, disturbed the normal life and changed direction of world history, the members of the Sikh community were negatively affected. A number of Sikhs became the victims of
mistaken identity and lost their lives and their properties were damaged by some anti social elements. The Sikh students in the colleges and school became the victims of hate crime because of their appearance. The Sikh travelers during the airport screening exercise were mistreated and were forced to take off their turbans which hurt the religious feeling of the Sikh community. Mr Dhoot said there are misconceptions about the Sikh religion, which leads to ignorant comments and reactions which should be avoided. In order to achieve the desired results, the public has to be educated. He added. Addressing the audience Association President Mr Satnam Singh Chahal while drawing the attention of Congressman John Garamendi said that It is over five years now and killers of Kalsi Brothers in Richmond city in California are still at large. He said that these two murders took place when two Sikh brothers Ravinder Singh Kalsi and ParamJit Singh Kalsi were closing their restaurant, Sahib Indian Cuisine located at 12221 San Pablo Ave, Richmond CA around 9PM on Dec 27, 2007.Bodies of these two brothers were sent to their home city in Punjab State so the family can perform last rites. One month later, 72 year old mother of these two Brothers died of heart attack. One brother Harinder Singh Kalsi who is living in Patiala city of Punjab State came to USA to claim the bodies, but could not attend his brothers and mother funeral.Harinder Singh Kalsi came to USA three times and tried to meet the authorities to solve this case and to find the killers of his two brothers but no solution. Victim’s family is running from post to pillars to get a justice. He demanded that Killers of these two Sikh brothers should be arrested ASAP to deliver a justice to the victims. NAPA President also disclosed that Mr Rahul Sharma, a 20-year-old boy who was living with his parents and siblings in Fremont city of California., was shot in the head and found unconscious
near central on April 5 2012 at about 10:54 pm.After being taken to the San Jose Regional Medical Center, he died of his injuries. Till this day the victim family has no information regarding this case. He said that we don’t want criminal to have freedom to kill any innocent that they see walking down the street. We want the investigator to put more effort to find the criminal ASAP to deliver a justice to the Family. Mr Chahal also raised an important issue in this event that Each year, children everywhere are bullied for being Sikh, Muslim, Jewish, African American, Latino, Native, or otherwise different in the eyes of their classmates. It doesn't matter who you are, who you love, or where you come from: no one deserves to be bullied.But this week The New York Times reports that the American Family Association, an extremist Christian group, is taking aim at a project called Mix It Up Day, where children are asked to sit with someone at lunch who they wouldn't normally sit with. The American Family Association is calling the project a nationwide push to promote the homosexual lifestyle in public schools and – even worse – is telling parents to keep their children home from school on Mix It Up Day, October 30th.Mr Chahal said that already 200 schools have canceled the event. But we have to speak up also.Our faith traditions teach us this simple moral truth: love your neighbor as yourself. We can't let an extremist Christian group hijack faith to promote intolerance and undermine anti-bullying efforts. Commissioner Taranjit Singh Sandhu, Economist H.S.Randhawa, Bal Bahadur Singh and Balwant Singh Sandhu also addressed the audience. Later NAPA office bearers presented a charter of Demands to Congressman John Garamendi
