SPEECH OF HON’BLE GOVERNOR PUNJAB AND ADMINISTRATOR, UT CHANDIGARH, SHRI BANWARI LAL PUROHIT ON THE OCCASION OF PUNJABI KOHINOOR AWARD FUNCTION AT AKM RESORT, ZIRAKPUR AT CHANDIGARH ON APRIL 29, 2023 AT 7.30 PM

I am happy to be the part of the Annual Celebrations of the World Punjabi Organization, an important body of like minded Punjabi people living in different parts of the globe. 
It is a pleasure to be here to felicitate and congratulate Punjabi achievers from various fields who have made significant contributions to society through their hard work, dedication and determination.
Punjabi culture is known for its vibrant and energetic spirit, and these achievers have upheld that spirit in their respective fields.
We all take pride in felicitating these achievers, who have worked relentlessly and contributed to their fields of expertise to reach the pinnacle of success they have achieved today. 
Punjabis are hardworking, diligent, and self-reliant people who value hard work and integrity above everything else.
The Punjabi diaspora is renowned worldwide for its skill, resilience, and business acumen, which have paved the way for success in many fields.
The achievements of the individuals that we are felicitating today are pride to the entire community. We are proud to recognize and felicitate the prominent NRIs, Industrialists and other achievers in various  fields like Indian films, Renowned Doctors and Sportsmen. 
I am sure your journey of success must have been full of challenges and obstacles, but not losing your focus and your determination to succeed has brought to where you stand. 
It is important to mention here that your success is not your own but an achievement of the entire Punjabi community. Your success highlights the values and ethos of the Punjabi culture and acts as a guiding light for the younger generation.
Excellence is not a matter of CHANCE but a matter of CHOICE, and these achievers have demonstrated that we can make that choice every day and realize our dreams.
We must also acknowledge the contribution of their families and friends, who have stood by them in their difficult times and provided unwavering support. The encouragement and motivation provided by the near and dear ones must have played a vital role in the success of our achievers.
Once again, I would like to extend my heartiest congratulations to all the achievers. 
I would  also take this moment to appreciate the activities of World Punjabi Organization  Its management and volunteers who have been serving the mankind  in  distress. 
The timely help provided by them selflessly, during Covid-19, supplying oxygen concentrators and Oxygen Cylinders not only to the patients in Delhi or Punjab but in major parts of India. Medicines, mobile Covid testing vans and 400 beds make shift hospital for patients was a major initiative taken by them.
The World Punjabi Organisation is also keen to save Punjabi youth from drug menace and also saving Punjab from brain drain. For this purpose it has opened Skill Centers at Amritsar and Ludhiana. Also De-addiction Centre run by them is helping many. 
It is also paying scholarship to brilliant and needy students to complete their professional courses and excel in this competitive world. 
Best wishes to World Punjabi Organisation team and hope they will continue to serve mankind the way they are doing.
Friends,
The purpose of a felicitation is to recognize and honour a person’s, a group’s or an organisation’s outstanding achievements.
I appreciate these feelings and thoughts of the World Punjabi Organization towards honouring those who have done commendable work in their respective fields.
      Let us continue to strive for excellence and use our skills and education to make a positive impact in the world. Congratulations again to all the achievers!
May your journey continue to be filled with success and happiness. 
Thank you,
Jai Hind.