The State of Punjab is all set to celebrate the half centenary of the creation of Punjabi Suba on massive scale. The detailed outline of the three week long celebrations was today announced as per which celebrations would be commenced on October 10 from Fatehgarh Sahib with Declamation Contests and would culminate on November 1 at Amritsar by organizing a mega conference. It was disclosed by Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema, Education Minister after presiding over a meeting of the high level committee which has been constituted under his chairmanship to chalk out the blueprint of the Punjabi Suba celebrations.Dr. Cheema in a press communiqué released here said that the Punjab Government has decided to celebrate this historic event on massive scale. He said that celebrations would be continued for three weeks during which 80 big functions would be organized at different locations of the state. He said that Cultural Affairs Department, School Education, Higher Education & Languages, Rural Development and Panchayats, Women and Child Development, Information and Public Relations, Sports, NRI and Department of Welfare of Freedom Fighters would spearhead the half centenary celebrations. Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy Chief Minister S. Sukhbir Singh Badal would attend all these functions in which National and International dignitaries would also be invited. Dr. Cheema said that during these half centenary celebrations rich tributes would be paid to those selfless warriors who have sacrificed their lives for the creation of Punjabi Suba .
Dr. Cheema further said that on October 20 ‘Punjabi Suba Student Festival’ would be organized at Ludhiana in which more than 30 thousand students would participate. During the course of these celebrations the historic road leading to Sri Darbar Sahib, which has been beautified and artistically decorated, would also be inaugurated. A Dhadhi War recitation programme would be organized on October 27 at Badiala (Bahinda) to mark the birth anniversary of Sant Fateh Singh. He said that a mega cultural event would be organized on the night of October 31 at Amritsar and these Punjabi Suba celebrations would be culminated on November 1 at Amritsar where a massive conference would be organized.He said that the Punjab Government is doing every effort to establish connect with every citizen of the state in order to educate, inform and sensitize them about the Punjab’s rich Historical and Cultural legacy and the sacrifices made for the creation of Punjab Suba.
The main focus of these functions would be showcasing the importance of mother tongue, Punjabi Folklore, History of Punjabi Suba and the sacrifices made for its creation. Exhibitions, Fairs, Documentary Films, and Publication of books relating to the history of Punjabi suba would be the main attraction. Dr. Cheema said that with a motive to teach Punjabi to all the Punjabis living in India and abroad, The Punjab Government has been working on the setting up of a ‘Punjabi Portal’ and it would be launched shortly.Prominent amongst those who were present in the meeting included Mr. Sanjay Singh, Principal Secretary, NRI Affairs, Mr. Rahul Tiwari, Secretary, Information & Public Relations, Rahul Gupta, Director, Sports,Mr. Sukhwinder Singh, Special Secretary, Finance, Mr. Uma Shankar, Joint Secretary, Information and Public Relations, Mrs. Senu Duggal, Director, Information & Public Relations Department, Mr. Balbir Singh Dhol, DPI (Secondary Education), Mr. T.K Goyal, D.P.I (Colleges), Mr. MS Kang, Programme Manager, Social Security and Women & Child Welfare, Mr. KL Malhotra, FCS, Tourism and Cultural Affairs.