ANGSAR: EVEN as they gathered together to celebrate their close-knit community, the Malaysian Punjabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MPCCI) last night gave back to the less privileged in our society.
MPCCI secretary general Harjinder Singh said: "We raised funds for this particular charity dinner for a couple of weeks and managed to collect RM30,000. We then went to several NGOs dealing with welfare matters to help us identify hardcore poor families in the Klang Valley in dire need of financial assistance.
"When we identified the families, we conducted checks to verify the authenticity of their status and invited them to this event to deliver our assistance to them."
Some 13 families benefitted from the donations given out by MPCCI. The organisation also donated six wheel chairs to disabled people.
Harjinder said this is the third time MPCCI - an association set up three years ago as a platform for the Punjabi business community to interact and network - had organised such a charity event. "We hope to continue organising such events for many more years to come."
Guest of honour Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz said: "Punjabis are a small community but their contribution to the country is great. They are small but significant.
"As a small community, the importance of unity is that much greater. As the saying goes: 'united we stand, divided we fall'."
The dinner was also graced by Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Minister Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin, his wife Datin Nafesah Raja Nong Chik, Women, Family and Community Development Deputy Minister Heng Seai Kie and Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk SK Devamany.
Earlier, MPCCI president Datuk Daljit Singh Dalliwal had welcomed representatives from about 30 Sikh NGOs nationwide to the dinner.
http://www.mmail.com.my/content/75203-sikh-community-gives-back-society
MPCCI secretary general Harjinder Singh said: "We raised funds for this particular charity dinner for a couple of weeks and managed to collect RM30,000. We then went to several NGOs dealing with welfare matters to help us identify hardcore poor families in the Klang Valley in dire need of financial assistance.
"When we identified the families, we conducted checks to verify the authenticity of their status and invited them to this event to deliver our assistance to them."
Some 13 families benefitted from the donations given out by MPCCI. The organisation also donated six wheel chairs to disabled people.
Harjinder said this is the third time MPCCI - an association set up three years ago as a platform for the Punjabi business community to interact and network - had organised such a charity event. "We hope to continue organising such events for many more years to come."
Guest of honour Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz said: "Punjabis are a small community but their contribution to the country is great. They are small but significant.
"As a small community, the importance of unity is that much greater. As the saying goes: 'united we stand, divided we fall'."
The dinner was also graced by Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Minister Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin, his wife Datin Nafesah Raja Nong Chik, Women, Family and Community Development Deputy Minister Heng Seai Kie and Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk SK Devamany.
Earlier, MPCCI president Datuk Daljit Singh Dalliwal had welcomed representatives from about 30 Sikh NGOs nationwide to the dinner.
http://www.mmail.com.my/content/75203-sikh-community-gives-back-society
