News India Times

T he Punjabi Cultural Society of Chicago (PCS), (pcschicago. org) a non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of Punjabi culture, language, education, sports, and performing arts in the Chicagoland area, announced the formation of its executive board for 2026. Dr. Primal Kaur M.D., MBA, a distin- guished biotech executive with over 15 years of experience in the biopharma industry, was named the Chairwoman of PCS. Dr. Kaur is currently Senior Vice President, Global Development of Immunology, Neuroscience, Eye Care and Specialty at AbbVie. She earned her M.D. from Government Medical College, Patiala, Punjab, India, her Rheumatology training fromTemple University Philadel- phia, and an MBA fromTemple University Fox School of Business, Philadelphia. “Dr. Kaur is deeply committed to nurturing global development talent and female leadership, actively mentoring emerging young leaders to navigate their career paths confidently,” a press release from PCS December 26, 2025, noted. Leading the PCS board operations as President is Bikram Singh Sohi, a veteran member of PCS, who, the organization said, “brings extensive leadership experi- ence and a strong cultural vision to this role.” Sohi has previously served in multiple PCS board positions, including Vice Presi- dent. He currently holds the position of Chief Operating Officer at Pampered Chef – A Berkshire Hathaway Company. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Mechani- cal Engineering from Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College, Ludhiana, Punjab, India, and an MSME degree in Design & Manufacturing from California State University, Sacramento, CA. “We are eager to share and elevate our vibrant cultural heritage through our signature flagship events and many other initiatives throughout the year,” Sohi is quoted saying in the press release. The PCS Executive Board for 2026 comprises: • Chairwoman: Dr. Primal Kaur M.D., MBA • President: Bikram Singh Sohi BSME, MSM • Vice President: Gurlal Singh Bhat- tal • Executive Secretary: Gurpreet Singh Sidhu • Finance Director: Jigerdeep Singh Dhillon • Director at Large: Parmjot Singh Parmar • I.T. Director: AmitPaul Singh Gill • Youth Director: Tejveer Singh Soodan • Women’s Empowerment Director: Paramvir Kaur • Inter-community Director: Kevin- deep Singh Atwal • Immediate Past President: Navtej Singh Sohi “We are greatly thankful to the outgo- ing PCS Chairman Dr. Param Puneet Singh and President Navtej Singh Sohi for their excellent leadership, dedication and contributions during the year 2025,” said Rajinder Singh Mago, member PCS Board of Governors. PCS upcoming events: “PCS Drawing Arts Competition,” January 18, 2026, at National India Hub, Schaumburg; “Rangla Punjab 2026,” scheduled for Saturday, April 25, 2026, at Gateway Theater, Co- pernicus Center, 5216W. Lawrence Ave., Chicago, IL. PCS continues its commitment to celebrating Punjabi heritage through year long programs such as the Punjabi Arts Drawing Competition for students in Jan- uary, Punjabi Maa Boli Month in February, participation in the Asian American Coali- tion of Chicago event in February, Rangla Punjab Vaisakhi celebration in April, Graduation Night in summer, Declama- tion Contest for Students in the fall, and participation in the Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade in November, among various other initiatives. www.newsindiatimes.com – that’s all you need to know (December 27, 2025 - January 2, 2026) January 2, 2026 8 News India Times Community Punjabi Cultural Society Of Chicago Announces 2026 Executive Board Chicago Club of Indian Women Hosts Halla Gulla 2025 By Jayanti Oza N APERVILLE, Ill. —The Club of IndianWomen (CIW) recently hosted more than 200 women at Halla Gulla 2025, held at Matrix Naperville. The event brought together community members for an evening of fun, food, and festivities. The evening featured a variety of activ- ities, performances, and cuisine provided by Madan @Matrix. Madhu Uppal, emcee of the event, welcomed attendees, fol- lowed by CIW President Vinita Gulabani, who delivered an encouraging message to the audience. The venue was transformed into a vibrant and elegant space thanks to the artistic team led by Prem Sharma, Suman Mihlajee, and Manju Vashisht. Purple and pink floral arrangements created by Deepti Suri added a warm and inviting touch to the décor. Registration and welcome were man- aged by Preeti Chawla, Alka Sood, Pankaj Tanna, and Usha Gupta, ensuring a smooth arrival for all guests. The raffle committee, led by Urmil Chawla, Neerja Aggarwal, and Pankaj Tanna, kept attend- ees engaged with exciting prizes and lucky draws. Entertainment, organized by Vandana Bunkapur and Tara Swaminathan, includ- ed games, acts, and dance performances by Falguni Rana. A Bollywood-themed game was a standout moment, engaging the audience throughout the evening. Special guests Vandana Jhingan, com- munity leader, and Aurora Alderman Shweta Baid attended the event, offering words of encouragement. CIW General Secretary Alka Sood honored them with signature scarves. Singer Paulami Mazum- dar captivated the audience with ener- getic performances, getting everyone on their feet. Neil Khot also visited the event, sharing his best wishes for CIW, while the organi- zation extended support for his congres- sional campaign. Halla Gulla 2025 reflected the power of community, with CIWmembers and guests coming together to create a memorable evening. The event’s success was credited to the CIW team, including behind-the-scenes organizers guided by Pimi Malhotra and Sangeeta Ginde. The night concluded with dinner and desserts, leaving attendees satisfied and uplifted. CIW’s Halla Gulla 2025 highlighted the organization’s commitment to its motto: “EmpoweringWomen, Enriching Lives, Embracing Community.” About the Club of IndianWomen CIW is a nonprofit organization dedi- cated to promoting Indian culture and community. Its mission is to empower and support women through a variety of events and activities throughout the year. Photos By Jayanti Oza Urmile Chawla giving Raffle prize to the winner. President of CIW Vinita Gulabani thanks everyone for supporting CIW. By a StaffWriter PHOTOS: Courtesy PCS PCS Chairwoman 2026 Dr. Primal Kaur. PCS President 2026 Bikram Singh Sohi