Bhasha Vibhag commences Punjabi Month celebrations,

Punjab Government Reaffirms Commitment to Promote Punjabi Language: Dr. Balbir Singh

Language Department Striving to Make Punjabi a Global Language – Director Jaswant Singh Zafar

30 Writers Honored with Best Book Awards

Patiala, November 5:

The Punjabi Month celebrations, organized by the Language Department Punjab to promote the Punjabi language, commenced today with an impressive event at Bhasha Bhawan, Patiala. Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh attended as the chief guest, while the Director of the Language Department, Punjab, S. Jaswant Singh Zafar, presided over the function.

Chief guest Dr. Balbir Singh highlighted Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s personal interest in promoting the Punjabi language, ensuring that the government continues to support these efforts. He expressed his belief that, despite advancements in digital technology, books will always remain a fundamental part of human life and culture. Encouraging parents to foster a love for reading in their children, Dr. Balbir Singh also pledged to address the department’s staffing and technical issues promptly. Additionally, he announced the relocation of the NCC office from the Language Department building to a new site.

The opening ceremony included the distribution of Best Punjabi Literary Book Awards for the years 2021 to 2024, honoring 30 distinguished writers. Special guests in attendance included Pawan Harchandpuri, President of the Central Punjabi Writers’ Association, Dr. Atam Randhawa, President of the Punjab Sahitya Academy, Chandigarh, and Dr. Sarabjit Singh, President of the Punjabi Sahitya Academy, Ludhiana. Harpreet Kaur, Joint Director of the Language Department, welcomed the gathering of guests, writers, and language enthusiasts.

Dr. Balbir Singh inaugurated a book exhibition and raised the flag marking the beginning of the month-long Punjabi Month events. A soulful performance by Sufi singers Anujot Kaur and Bikram Sangha captivated the audience, adding to the cultural ambiance of the event.

Two publications were also unveiled during the ceremony: the Dr. Surjit Patar special edition of the Language Department’s magazine Punjabi Duniya and a survey book titled Machhiwara Sahib by Raghveer Bharat.

In his speech, Director Jaswant Singh Zafar outlined the ongoing efforts, achievements, and challenges faced by the Language Department. He emphasized the government’s dedication to implementing initiatives for the advancement of Punjabi, particularly through digital platforms, to make the language relevant in the modern era. However, he also pointed out the department’s struggles with a shortage of technical staff and other resources. Zafar congratulated the award-winning writers for their contributions to Punjabi literature.

The department also honored several individuals for their work in making Punjabi literature accessible in audio format, including Sarmuhabbat Singh (Australia), Ranyodh Singh from Han Ji Radio (Australia), Dr. Surjit Singh from Punjabi University, Raghveer Bharat, and Maheshinder Singh Khosla. The event was smoothly conducted by Research Officer Dr. Sukhdarshan Singh Chahal, with a large audience of writers and language enthusiasts in attendance.

The Best Literary Book Awards for 2024 were announced as follows: The Giani Gurmukh Singh Musafir Award (Poetry) was awarded to Randhi for his book Khat Jo Likhnon Reh Gaye, while the Pr. Sujan Singh Award (Story) went to Jaswinder Dharamkot for Mailanin. The Gurbaksh Singh Preetlarhi Award (Essay/Travelogue) was given to Satnam Singh Sandhu for Shabdaan De Chirag, and the Bhai Vir Singh Award (Biography/ Tikakaari/ Lexicography) was awarded to Prof. Paramjit Singh Dhingra for Shabad Vanjaare. The Dr. Attar Singh Award (Criticism) went to Dr. Gursewak Lambi for Bastivad, Uttar Bastivadi Te Punjabi Natak, while Sarabjit Singh Virk received the Principal Teja Singh Award (Sampadan) for Samuchiaan Likhtaan: Shaheed Bhagat Singh. The Dr. M.S. Randhawa Award (Gian Sahit) went to Paramjit Mann for Samundarnama: Chhallaan Nall Gallaan, while the Shri Guru Harkrishan Award (Children’s Literature) was awarded to Jagjit Singh Laddha for Pyaara Bharat. Finally, the Prof. Gurdial Singh Award (Translation) went to Teja Singh Tilak for his book Punjab Utte Kabjaa Ate Maharaja Dalip Singh. A total of 155 books were received for consideration for these awards.

For 2023, the Giani Gurmukh Singh Musafir Award (Poetry) was given to Lakhvinder Johal for Pani Hoe Vichar, while the Nanak Singh Award (Story) went to Aziz Sroe for Apne Lok. The Gurbaksh Singh Preetlarhi Award (Essay/Travelogue) was awarded to Baldev Singh Dhaliwal for Kanj-Kuari Dharti (Pondicherry and Andaman’s Travelogue), and the Bhai Vir Singh Award (Biography/Tikakaari/ Lexicography) went to Rakesh Kumar for Krantikari Sher Jang: Sheran Varga Sher. The Dr. Attar Singh Award (Criticism) was given to Dr. Sarwan Singh Pardesi for Sufi Lehir Da Smajik Model (Khulian Ankhan De Supne), while the Principal Teja Singh Award (Sampadan) went to Hardeep Kaur Bawa for Na Nar Na Nari. The Dr. M.S. Randhawa Award (Gian Sahit) went to Principal Dr. Inderjit Singh Vasu for Gurmat Sampuran Jivan Da Marag, while the Shri Guru Harkrishan Award (Children’s Literature) was awarded to Simrat Sumera for Sunehira Tapu. The Prof. Gurdial Singh Award (Translation) went to Boota Singh Chohan for Chor Uchake, and the Bhai Kan Singh Nabha Award was given to Nihal Singh Mann for Gurbani Lipi Gujhe Bhed.

For the 2022 awards, the Giani Gurmukh Singh Musafir Award (Poetry) was given to Vijay Vivek for Chhin Bhangar Vi Kalatit Vi, while the Pr. Sujan Singh Award (Story) went to Arvinder Kaur Dhaliwal for Jhanjaran Wale Pair. The Gurbaksh Singh Preetlarhi Award (Essay/Travelogue) was given to Jagtarjit Singh for Chittarkari Vich Guru Nanak, and the Bhai Vir Singh Award (Biography/Tikakaari/ Lexicography) went to Navdeep Singh Gill for Udna Baaz. The Dr. Attar Singh Award (Criticism) was awarded to Dr. Manjit Kaur Azad for Vishav Sabhyaachaar Banaam Sathanak Sabhyaachaar, while the Principal Teja Singh Award (Sampadan) went to Dr. J.B. Sekhon for Chautha Pehar. The Dr. M.S. Randhawa Award (Gian Sahit) went to Dr. Vidvaan Singh Soni for Dilchasp Kahani Amber Di, while the Shri Guru Harkrishan Award (Children’s Literature) was given to Sudarshan Gasso for Kinna Sohna Ambar Lagdai. The Prof. Gurdial Singh Award (Translation) went to Bhajanbir Singh for Moyaan Da Rah, and the Ishwar Chandra Nanda Award (Drama/Ikangi) was given to Kewal Dhaliwal for Garhi Chamkaur Di. It is noteworthy that 210 books were submitted for consideration for these awards.