CULTURE

Pak artistes stage play on women’s plight
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana,October 14
The plight of the women seems to be same everywhere, at least in different countries of the subcontinent. The artists from Pakistan led by ace theatrist Rukhsana Khan staged a play "Assi Saayian Naina Waliyan" at the Guru Nanak Bhawan here yesterday night. The play was organised by the Baba Farid Foundation International.

The play narrated the sorry plight of women everywhere, particularly their sufferings at the hands of men. The play was not chauvinistically feminist, but certainly realist. It reflected the sorry state of cultural affairs in the subcontinent where despite so much symbolic power conferred on women, they are not given a fair deal.

Rukhsana Khan had also staged the play,” Bullah”, about Baba Bulle Shah, at the Guru Nanak Bhawan earlier. That is why she felt homely with the audience.

Among others present on the occasion was minister for culture and tourism Hira Singh Gabria. The play is being staged in various cities of Punjab and is sponsored by the cultural department of the state government.

Stop tarnishing image of artistes: Walia 
Our Correspondent

Mandi Ahmedgarh,October 14
The Global Punjab Foundation apprehending humiliation of Punjabi folk artistes on international level, allegedly due to exploitation of foreign cultural tours for meager economic gains, has called upon intellectuals and office-bearers of social and cultural organizations to educate youth about consequences of going abroad through illegal means.

Showing concern over the recent Dolly Malkit Singh episode, foundation’s chairman Harjinder Singh Walia, apprehended the trend, if allowed to continue would tarnish the image of prominent artists and cultural promoters at the international level. He urged the authorities in the cultural affairs department to initiate steps to regulate constitution of such groups that wanted to go abroad on the pretext of presenting shows in various countries.

“Now, when we have come to know that tainted people with vested interests have crept in cultural groups, the government should streamline the system and coordinate with embassies of the countries of craze,” Walia said after convening a foundation’s meeting here today.

Commenting on the alleged irresponsible role played by a section of electronic media in flashing the news with a similar name Walia advocated that the reporters should verify facts before passing on the information to their headquarters. 

Mangal Dhillon vows to fight social evils
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, October 14
The campaign against drug abuse got momentum, when ace actor Mangal Dhillon, got his film “Sarvnash” screened at Narangwal village and here yesterday. The movie got much response in rural and urban areas. “The fight against drug abuse will get more acceleration in coming times and the film will be shown in a large number of villages and educational institutions in Punjab to create awareness among the youth to fight drugs " Mangal Dhillon said.

Film was screened at Government College for Women,Ludhiana. Speaking on the occasion, Mangal Dhillon asked the youth to fight social evils like drug-abuse, female foeticide and dowry. He promised to launch movies against female foeticide and other social issues of Punjabis, including sufferings of Punjabi farmers" in the near future. "Such social problems and social evils can be countered by sticking to Gurbani, Sidhant and by following the teachings of great gurus and paigambers" said Dhillon.

"So as to save cultural heritage of Punjab, we have to save our youth from drugs, vulgarity and other social evils," said Punjab Cultural Promotion Council, Director Davinder Singh Chhina.

Minister for cultural affairs Hira Singh Gabria was the chief guest and Paramjit Singh Sidhwan (political secretary to Sukhbir Singh Badal), was the guest of honour. Gabria appreciated Dhillon's movies and films. He promised to take Dhillon's services for the cultural upliftment and cultural-preservation of the state.

PCPC honoured Mangal Dhillon, Gabria, Sidhwan and principal Prabhjot Kaur on this occasion.