The Languages Department, Punjab Government, has chalked out various programmes during ‘punjabi week’ to inculcate the feeling of love towards literature and to make people more aware about the richness of Punjabi language. The programmes will begin on 15thNovember at Bhasha Bhawan, Patiala. The Punjabi week and book exhibition will be inaugurated on the same day at bhasha bhawan at 10 AM by the Higher Education and Language Minister, Punjab, Surjit Singh Rakhra.Disclosing this Mr. Rakhra said that a state advisory committee to select literatteurs, journalists and folk artists for the conferment of ‘SHROMANI SAHIT AWARDS’ will also be given shape during the Punjabi week and a meeting will be called soon. He said that the Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has taken personal interest in organizing functions during this week and released a special package of 20 lakh rupees for this purpose.
The Director, Languages department, Mr. Chetan Singh said that the programmes will be started on 15thNovember by Mr. Surjit Singh Rakhra. The function will be presided over by the Vice Chancellor of Sri Guru Granth Sahib World University, Dr. Gurmohan Singh Walia and Ex- Minister Surjit Singh Kohli will be the guest of honour. The function will be conducted by Punjabi Sahit Rattan Dr. Rattan Singh Jaggi. During the function, a book fair shall also be organized apart from flag hoisting, literary and musical programme. The book fair will last till 29th November.
Chetan Singh further informed that the next programme will be held on 17th November at bhasha bhawan, patiala which will be a literary seminar during the course of which the contribution of sewapanthi, udasi and nirmala sects towards Punjabi literature shall be discussed. Sant Paramjit Singh Rohtak will be the Chief Guest and it will be presided over by Mr. Baldev Singh Balluana. Mahant Kahan Singh and Sant Teja Singh will be the Special guests on this occasion. The next programme in this series shall be held on 20thNovember at Punjabi Bhawan, Ludhiana in which state level quiz competitions featuring students will be held. Mr. Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, Irrigation Minister, Punjab shall be the Chief Guest on this occasion while Mr. Sarup Singh Alag will preside over the proceedings. A Drama Festival will also be held on 23rd November. He also informed that poetic recitals and various other literary competitions will also be held on this occasion and the week would end on 29th November at bhasha bhawan, Patiala.