Eminent literary personality Dr. Surjit Patar today assumed charge as the Chairman of the Punjab Kala Parishad (Punjab Arts Council) at the Punjab Kala Bhawan here in the presence of the Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister, Punjab, Mr. Navjot Singh Sidhu. The momentous occasion also saw noted theatre artist Dr. Neelam Mann Singh taking charge as the Senior Vice Chairperson of the council. On the occasion, the President of Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) Mr. Sunil Jakhar, Mr. Bharat Bhushan Ashu, Mr. Balbir Singh Sidhu, Dr. Raj Kumar Verka, Mr. Parminder Singh Pinki, Mr. Pargat Singh, Mr. Kulbeer Singh Zira, Mr. Amit Vij and Mr. Sanjeev Talwar (all MLAs), Mr. Jaspal Singh, Principal Secretary, Tourism and Cultural Affairs were also present.Interacting with the media-persons on the occasion, Mr. Sidhu termed today as the historic day in the annals of Punjab as the command of the council has come into the hands of a literary giant like Dr. Surjit Patar. The minister expressed supreme confidence that Dr. Patar would usher in an era of renewed cultural awakening as he is fully conversant with the glorious literary, cultural and historical heritage of Punjab. He also said that the Punjab Government under the guidance of the Chief Minister, Captain Amarinder Singh is committed to herald an era of cultural renaissance throughout the length and breadth of the state which is amply proven by the approval accorded to the cultural policy.
On the occasion, Dr. Surjit Patar while thanking the Punjab Government for the honour, vowed that he would work with all the more zest and zeal for the further popularization of tremendously rich Punjabi heritage and culture to make it resonate in every nook and corner of the globe. He also assured that his focus would be on helping the youth to connect with their cultural and historical roots. Earlier in a meeting of the General Council of the Punjab Arts Council presided over by the Principal Secretary, Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Punjab, Mr. Jaspal Singh, Dr. Surjit Patar and Dr. Neelam Mann Singh were unanimously elected as the Chairman and Senior Vice Chairperson of the council.Among other prominent personalities present on the occasion included Mr. TK Goel, Mr. Lakhwinder Singh Johal, Dr. Nirmal Jaura, Dr. Satish Verma, Dr. Sarabjit Kaur Sohal, Dewan Manna, Mr. Kewal Dhaliwal, Prof Rajpal Singh, Mr. Pritam Rupal, S. Harwinder Singh Khalsa, Mr. Gurmit Jaura, Dr. Yograj Singh and representative of various Universities, Literary and Culture organisations.