Punjab Education, Higher Education and Languages Minister Pargat Singh, on Monday, said that state Government will constitute a State Language Commission to strictly implement the provisions of Punjabi Language Act.Speaking on the topic of 'Challenges to Punjabi Language and Journalism' organized by Punjab and Chandigarh Journalists Union in association with Punjabi Lekhak Sabha and Punjab Kala Parishad at Punjab Kala Bhawan to mark the National Press Day, the Sports Minister said that libraries will also be set up adjoining sports stadiums and grounds by issuing ordinance of the Library Act to bolster literary culture among the youth of the state.Mr. Pargat Singh, while paying rich tributes to the great Ghadar Movement Martyrs Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha and his six companions Shaheed Bakhshish Singh, Shaheed Surain Singh (elder), Shaheed Surain Singh (younger), Shaheed Harnam Singh and Shaheed Vishnu Ganesh Pingale, who were martyred in first Lahore conspiracy case on this day, said that Shaheed Sarabha was also a role model for journalists as he used to publish Ghadar newspaper.
Mr. Pargat Singh said that press was the fourth pillar of democracy and Punjabi journalism played a vanguard role in the development of Punjab. He called upon all the writers, journalists, academics and educationists to come forward so that they could be included in the commissions and committees for the appropriate implementation of the Punjabi Language Act at the state and district level.The Minister for Higher Education and Languages said that out of 23 District Language Officers in Punjab, 21 posts were vacant which have now been filled on deputation.Speaking on the occasion, Punjab Press Club President Satnam Singh Manak said, our mother tongue Punjabi was being neglected, which needs to be given due respect. Secretary Punjab Arts Council Dr. Lakhwinder Singh Johal lauded the amendments made by the state government in the Punjabi Language Act besides discussing the challenges facing by the media these days.Punjab and Chandigarh Journalists Union President Jai Singh Chhibbar extended gratitude the dignitaries. Earlier, Balkar Singh Sidhu of Punjabi Lekhak Sabha welcomed the guests, while the program was moderated by Deepak Sharma Chanarthal.