PRESENTED WITH FRAMED GOLD-PLATED MODEL OF HARMANDAR SAHIB JI, FRAMED PHOTO OF AERIAL VIEW OF HARMANDAR SAHIB, BEAUTIFUL LARGE GOLD COLOUR TROPHY AND A HOCKEY STICK
Report by Tarlochan Singh Virk
(Asian independent) Prominent members of Doaba’s famous village Virk residents; Head Teacher; All teachers and staff; students; and NRI residents from United Kingdom America and Canada all clapped with extra excitement as World-renowned hockey star Avtar Singh Sohal Ji entered the Government Secondary Smart School Virk on Monday 2 November 2027 just after 10.00 am. As he was introduced the chosen ones put garland around his neck. The four times Olympic hockey player whose family lived in Patti Bahudipur, village Virk, Phagwara emigrated to Kenya in 1936 was full of happiness as he humbly met everyone including girls and boys who are not going to forget this day forever.
After being shown around the Secondary School, Primary School where teachers Santosh Kumari, Lalita Rani and Hoshiar Singh represented Headteacher Paramjit Kaur Ji who was on leave from School, meeting VIRK GYM representatives and shown around the school playing grounds where a SPORTS STADIUM is currently being built, the main celebrations were held in the purpose built EDUSET ROOM of the Secondary School.
Kulvinder Kaur Kahlon who won a prestigious teacher’s award this year managed the stage in her unique style, welcomed Virk village’s Olympic player, captain, coach, referee, Kenya Government Warrior awardee and Guinness Book of World record holder for the most International Caps Avtar Singh Sohal, all distinguished guests, prominent members of village Virk and students. She pointed out NRIs have consistently helped to maintain the school building whenever needed for which the school staff will ever be grateful.
Avtar Singh Sohal fondly known as Tari jokingly said he did not know which language to say his speech Punjabi, Hindi, English, Urdu, Swahilee. He said he was immensely proud that a SORTS STDIUM is being built in the schools’ grounds which will surely produce national and international sports personalities in different sports in the near future. Avtar Singh Ji suggested a SPORTS COMMITTEE should be set up of those who are actively involved in sport overseas. He further pointed out that Professional Physical Education coaches should be employed as soon as possible to coach the 500 girls and boys studying at both schools and facilities should be provided for the students to train outside school time for example after school as more practice done by players will make them better and better and eventually get them selected at state level, national level and international level. Avtar Singh Sohal Ji also said he will fully support the players from both schools as much as possible.
Jathedar Gian Singh Jhaurr son of Darshan Singh emphasised that not only whole of Virk village, but all surrounding villages and district Jallandhar were very proud of the achievements of Avtar Singh Sohal ji whose parents lived in Patti Baudipur and emigrated to Kenya in 1936. Avtar Singh father served in the Royal air Force. Jathedar Gian Singh Ji was instrumental in bringing Chief Minister of Punjab Parkash Singh Badal to Virk village for the naming ceremony of the road from GT Road to Indna Klaskay as 108 SANT BABA PHOOLA SINGH JI MARG on 28 July 1998 at the annual Religious Jorr Mela.
The well-respected Ex-Sarpanch Satpal Rattu who has served the village Virk for many years said he was very well aware of the good work being continuously by the UK VIRK RESIDENTS who has been organising Dharmic Jorr Mela in memory of Sant Baba Phoola Singh Ji since 2026. During one of his terms as Sarpanch of the village a Generator was installed in 2010 at the Secondary School COSTING 350 000 rupees.
Canada resident Devinder Singh Ji was also very proud of all the records obtained by Avtar Singh Ji. He also pointed out it does not matter how qualified you are academically you still need to be physically in good health. Being in good physical health will help to look after yourself and your family. This will also keep your away from trouble.
Tarlochan Singh Virk, Co-Ordinator of Punjabi Listeners Club which has been promoting Punjabi Language, Culture and Sikh religion since 1995 in United Kingdom said that placing the portrait of Avtar Singh Sohal at both schools is only the start. Soon portraits of other deserving Virk village residents as identified by NRIs and Virk village residents will also be put in the schools.
Ajmer Singh Basra who was very keen hockey player and served the Leicester Sikh Community for over four decades said “Avtar Singh Sohal ji has highlighted the name of not only village Virk but whole Sikh community throughout the world with his magnificent achievements. I wish him and his family good health and happiness.”
Punjab has 12,974 villages organised across 23 administrative blocks and 114 blocks with over 98% of its rural areas managed by local Gram Panchayats. Virk with a population of about 8,000 people is a prominent village near city of Phagwara, located in the Phillaur tehsil of the Jallandhar district. The village is widely recognised for communal harmony where the residents of different backgrounds celebrate festival and religious events together regardless of caste or religion. The village has five Gurdwaras, four Mandirs and three Mosques.
A village is made famous if a messenger of Almighty God has resided in it for a very long time and has helped the residents to recite the name of God. It can also be recognised as famous if one of the villagers has represented a nation in Sport at International level or who hold Guiness Book of World Record; or if one of its residents have given their life for the nation.
PRESENTATIONS
A book in English about Punjab and four feet by two feet poster showing the Three Pillars of Sikhism was presented by Avtar Singh Sohal Ji to the Secondary School. And a book of Punjabi Poems by Gurdip Singh Sandhu was presented by Avtar Singh Sohal Ji to the Primary school.
Virk village residents presented large gold colour trophy and a Hockey Stick to Avtar Singh Sohal Ji. UK village Virk Residents Sant Baba Phoola Singh Ji Sewadars presented Avtar Singh Ji with a framed gold-plated model of Harmandar Sahib Ji. Punjabi Listeners Club, Leicester UK presented Avtar Singh Ji with a framed aerial view of the Harmandar Sahib Ji. The secondary school presented Avtar Singh Ji with a beautiful trophy.
One of the dedicated organisers of the celebrations Mr. Narinder Singh Tosha representing UK Virk village Residents Sant Baba Phoola Singh Ji Management Committee thanked Avtar Singh Sohal Tari, Gram Panchayat Virk village Sarpanch Sumeet Basra Ladee who was unable to attend due to family bereavement, Jaswinder Singh Head teacher of Government Secondary Smart School Virk, Paramjit Kaur Head teacher Government Primary Smart School Virk, representatives of Virk Gym and Sports Stadium, Jathedar Gian Singh, Virk village Ex-Sarpanch Satpal Rattu Ji, Devinder Singh Ji of Canada, Kulvinder Kaur Kahlon, Virk village residents and all the students of Secondary and Primary schools for their contributions in making the event unforgettable and truly memoroable.
