Th e Department of Asian Studies at the University of British Columbia is plea sed to invite you to our annual Harjit Kaur Sidhu Memorial Program in 2026. Join us in celebrating over 30 years of Punjabi language and culture at UBC on April 10!
The program was established in loving memory of Harjit Kaur Sidh u (née Gill)\, devoted wife\, mother\, and strong advocate for education\, Punjabi culture and language\, and women’s issues. Our goal is to call atte ntion to important new scholarship on Punjabi language and culture and brin g it to our students and the broader Vancouver area audience\; encourage an d recognize achievements in Punjabi language cultural production\; and hono r students for their work in learning and using the Punjabi language.
This event is free & open to the public. Registration is required.
<
strong>Date & Time:
Friday\, April 10\, 2026 | 5:30pm - 8:00p
m PT
Location:
Auditorium\, Asian Centre\, 1871
West Mall\, Vancouver\, BC V6T 1Z2
[buttons][button link_text="Regis ter here" link_url="https://asia.ubc.ca/events/event/harjit-kaur-sidhu-memo rial-program-2026/#rsvp"][/buttons]
Harjit Kaur S
idhu (née Gill) was born in Amritsar in 1937. She grew up in what
is now Pakistan and resettled with her parents\, brothers and sisters in L
udhiana after partition. She received both an MA and MEd. She went on to
lecture at Sidwa College in 1966 and 1967. She immigrated to Canada with he
r husband\, Balvindar Singh Sidhu\, in 1968. The couple lived in the Yukon
for 32 years\, during which time Mrs. Sidhu’s passion became early childho
od education. After the birth of her sons Ravindar (1971) and Rajvindar (1
972)\, she worked as a teacher in multiple early childhood settings: presc
hool\, prekindergarten programs and in kindergarten.
In 2001\, Harjit and Balvindar moved to Vancouver where their youngest son was a practicing dentist and where\, later\, their oldest son started a career at UBC as a surgeon in the Faculty of Medicine. During her time in Vancouver\, Harjit rediscovered her passion for Punjabi language and culture. She was a stron g advocate for Punjabi culture\, and for women in Punjabi society.
Af ter two and a half year courageous battle with cancer\, she passed away in her home on July 23\, 2007. She is survived by her husband\, two sons and their wives\, two grandsons and one granddaughter.
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