The latest book titled “Mirgawali” of prominent Punjabi poet Prof Gurbhajan Singh Gill was released by Deputy CommissionerRavi Bhagat at an impressive function held at Guru Nanak Bhawan, here last evening. This book comprises of more than 100 poems on various subjects.While speaking on the occasion, Mr Ravi Bhagat congratulated Prof Gill and said that he is prolific writer and has published16 collections of nazams, ghazals, and geets during the past three decades. He is steeped in Punjabi folklore and uses folk motifs in his poetic creations. At the same time he is conscious of the fast- changing patterns of human existence.Prof Gurbhajan Singh Gill, who is also Chairman of Maharaja Dalip Singh Memorial Trust, Bassian and former president of Punjabi Sahit Akademi, Ludhiana, said that he is committed for the promotion of Punjabi language and culture through his writings. He said that he would continue serving his mother tongue and motherland through his poetry.Punjabi University Patiala has recently awarded him fellowship, besides the Punjab government has honored him with Shiromani Punjabi Kavi Award.
Prof Gurbhajan Singh Gill was born at Basantkot (near Batala) in 1953. He received his graduate and postgraduate degrees at GGN Khalsa College, Ludhiana and SCD Government College, Ludhiana respectively. He served for sometime as a Lecturer- in- Punjabi at Guru Nanak National College, Doraha and LRM College (now DAV College) Jagraon. Since 1983 he worked as Editor (Punjabi) at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana. He has written nazams, ghazals, and geets with equal ease. These have been included in Sheesha Jhuth Bolda Hai (1978), Har Dhukhda Pind Mera Hai (1985), Bol Mitti dia Bawea (1992), Agan Katha (2002), Khair Panja Paniya Di, Mann De Buhe Barian (2003), Dharti Naad (2005) Phullan Di Jhanjar (2006), Paar Darshi (2008), Mor Pankh, Mann Tandoor, Gulnaar, Camere Di Akh Boldi, Surkh Samundar, Do Harf Raseedi, Tareyan Nal Gallan Kardeya (editor Sulakhan Sarhaddi), Pippal Pattian (editor Tarsem Singh).
The awards he has received so far include Bhai Vir Singh Award (1979), Shiv Kumar Batalvi Award (1992), Bawa Balwant Award (1998), Prof. Puran Singh Award (2002), Giani Sunder Singh Award (2002), S.S. Misha Award (2002), Safdar Hashmi Literary Award (2003), Principal Sant Singh Sekhon Memorial Gold Medal (2003), Surjit Rampuri Award (2005), Balvinder Rishi Memorial Ghazal Award (2005), to name a few.Prominent among those present during the book release function included Prof Gurbhajan Singh Gill’s wife Jaswinder Kaur, daughter in law Ravneet Kaur and son Puneet Pal Singh Gill, SSP Barnala Gurpreet Singh Toor, leading industrialist Gurmeet Singh Kular, Dr Mohammad Usman Ludhianvi, Prof Ravinder Bhathal, Principal Guriqbal Singh, Parminder Singh Jatpuri, Amandeep Singh Gill, Jasmer Singh Dhatt, Amandeep Singh Phallar, Dr Anil Sharma, besides several others.