Sixth World Punjabi Conference begins

The 6th World Punjabi Conference was inaugurated here on Saturday by Speaker Punjab Vidhan Sabha Rana KP Singh and Cultural Affairs and Tourism Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu with emphasis on the development of Punjabi language.

In the inaugural session at Law Auditorium of Punjab University, Rana KP Singh and Sidhu asked the new generation to get connected to the rich cultural heritage of Punjab besides Punjabi language.

In his address, Rana KP Singh said although Punjabi language is spread across the entire world but even now it is ignored from the point of view of job scenario and course curriculum. Many courses such as LLB, Science and IT are not being taught entirely in Punjabi. He also said that the aspects debated upon in the conference will be addressed only if intellectuals, linguistic experts, writers and social workers would get their act together.

The Speaker said Punjabi language is today making its mark all over the globe and it cannot be associated with a particular region or community. “Wherever the Punjabis have gone they have taken the Punjabi language along,” he said, expressing hope that the deliberations by Punjabi language lovers in the conference would yield positive results.

Sidhu exhorted all institutions and personalities working on different platforms for Punjab, Punjabi and Punjabiat to work unitedly and said that if coming generations remained ignorant of the Punjabi language then who would read great works of Punjabi writers and poets.

Calling eminent litterateurs and artists the treasure of Punjabi community, Sidhu batted for bringing places associated with the writers under literary tourism circuit. He argued the case of observing birth anniversaries of famous Punjabi writers on a grand scale.

Sidhu also added that a corpus fund be created all stakeholders to help prominent writers and artists in their tough times. He asked all the institutions connected with the Punjabi literature and language to take initiative in this regard and he himself would contribute Rs 50 lakh in the fund.

The Minister said that the Punjab Kala Parishad under the leadership of Dr. Surjit Patar would form a cultural parliament and associate villages, towns and cities with the cultural activities. He also divulged that the vulgarity and violent trend threatening our culture can only be stopped by undertaking quality cultural activities.

Sidhu exhorted people not to feel inferior while speaking Punjabi language and also cited the devotion of the French people towards the French language.

Chairman of the World Punjabi Conference, H. S. Hanspal made a case for writing Punjabi in first place on signboards at every business institutions, roads as well as the shops compulsorily. Satguru Udai Singh on the occasion said that we must feel proud on speaking in Punjabi.

In his address, Dr. Surjit Patar said that our priority should be to first have a command over our mother tongue and afterwards learn other languages. He said NRI Punjabis are more connected with Punjabi language where as the people here in Punjab feel pride in conversing in English and Hindi.