Punjabis from all over the world will converge on Dubai early next year to participate in the three-day World Punjabi Conference. More than 500 people are expected to take part.

They will take part under the banner of World Punjabi Organisation (WPO) which has chapters in more than 20 countries worldwide. The group's Dubai chapter was launched yesterday by the WPO President Vickram Sahwaney.

The chapter is the latest addition to the organisation established in 1998 to help preserve Punjabi culture and heritage.

"Our chief patron is ex-Indian prime minister I.K. Gujral. It is a non-religious and non-political organisation. The group is not only restricted to Punjabis in India but also worldwide. For example, in 1998 we took a delegation to Pakistan on the event of Basant (Spring). We have now made it an annual affair.

"Now that we have a chapter opened in Dubai we expect Punjabis living out here to come forward and participate in our activities," Sahwaney told Gulf News.

Harjeet Singh Sachar, the President of Dubai Chapter said: "Our objective is to unite Punjabis on a common platform in a display of international brotherhood," he said.

Punjabis in Dubai expressed delight in the development and hoped the chapter would be a socio-cultural platform. Gurpreet Kaur, a Dubai resident, said: "I am glad that we have a WPO chapter in Dubai as I did come across many other Indian regional organisations here."