City Press Club, Faridabad, Launches Initiative to Honour Eminent Senior Citizens

Social worker and founding president of Faridabad Punjabi Sabha, Vasdev Saluja, felicitated; senior journalists share memories

Faridabad, October 10 (Naveen Dhamija): City Press Club (Regd.), Faridabad, has launched an initiative to honour the city’s eminent senior citizens. As part of this initiative, senior office-bearers of the club visited the residence of noted social worker, industrialist and founding president of Faridabad Punjabi Sabha, Vasdev Saluja, in Sector 15 to felicitate him.

Club president Bijender Bansal, patron Uttam Raj, working president Naveen Dhamija, senior vice-president P.S. Mata, general secretary Sanjay Kapoor and treasurer Manoj Mandal jointly honoured Saluja by presenting him with a traditional turban, a shawl and a bouquet. All the journalists also presented him with flower garlands. Prominent office-bearers of the Laya Biradari were present on the occasion. At the residence of the late Satya Saluja, the visitors were welcomed by Saluja’s elder son, Sanjeev Saluja, popularly known as Goldy, who is president of the Punjabi Sabha, and his younger son, Pawan Saluja, vice-president of the Sabha.

Club president Bijender Bansal said the club would visit the homes of prominent social workers in Faridabad to honour them. The initiative began with the felicitation of Vasdev Saluja. He said the effort would not only recognise the contributions of senior citizens but also help preserve their memories and experiences for future generations. Bansal said Saluja had maintained relationships with people across political lines, including the Chief Minister’s elder brother and friends, while also playing the role of an opposition voice when necessary. He added that Saluja had consistently worked in the interest of society. According to Bansal, it was through Saluja’s efforts that approval was secured for the new grain and vegetable market in Old Faridabad.

Club working president Naveen Dhamija said Saluja would always be remembered for his contributions to the Dussehra ground in Sector 16 and the establishment of Punjabi Bhawan. He said Saluja never used his connections for personal benefit.

To finance Punjabi Bhawan, Saluja sold his ancestral house in Old Faridabad and devoted the entire proceeds to its construction.

Describing himself as grateful for the honour, Saluja thanked the City Press Club and the senior journalists present. Several attendees, including working president Naveen Dhamija and patron Uttam Raj, shared their memories of Saluja. Among them were Laya Biradari and Faridabad Dussehra Committee president Dharam Bareja, general secretary Raj Miglani, Old Faridabad Market Traders Association president Mahendra Verma, Laya Biradari vice-president Pappu Nagpal, Punjabi Sabha vice-president Ashwini Sethi, Dussehra Committee vice-president Yash Babbar, Tilak Arora, Y.R. Khera, Kavish Saluja, Anju Saluja and Bhawna Saluja, along with other office-bearers.

The speakers collectively described Saluja as a fearless and influential Punjabi community leader. His son, Sanjeev Saluja, president of the Punjabi Sabha, said he would continue to uphold his father’s social and political ideals and keep them alive through his work for society. He added that the community had always given his family respect and recognition, and that he would strive to preserve that legacy.

Vasdev Saluja, in turn, referred to the journalists present as his own sons and said the honour bestowed upon him meant so much that he felt no need for any further recognition.