6th Amritsar Sahitya Utsav kicks off

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, February 24

The 6th edition of Amritsar Sahitya Utsav was inaugurated by Naad Pargas at Khalsa College. Dedicated to the promotion of Punjabi language and literature, educationists and writers put forth their thoughts.

Prof Rajesh Sharma from Punjabi University, Patiala, was a keynote speaker and Dean Academic Affairs of Guru Nanak Dev University Prof Sarabjot Singh Behl was a chief guest on the occasion.

Several books, including Dr Sarabjot Singh’s “Khalsa Panth: Post-Modern Perspective”; poetry composed by Kishan Singh titled “Karona Kal Handhaundian”; Sukhpal Singh’s collection of essays titled “From Sakhni Kharot to Vegas” and the latest issue of poetry by Naad Pargas were released.

During the course of the events, a dialogue on ongoing farmers’ movement and its relevance was also initiated.

Speaking on the subject “Farmer in Punjabi Society: Relationships and Crisis”, Dr Paramjit Singh from Panjab University said problems of Punjabi farmers were being understood more from the emotional side than from the intellectual and ideological perspective.

He said real issues with farming community were related to small farmers and working class. “Punjab’s agriculture is on the path of capitalism, represented by rural elites, which derives its strength from rural working class and small farmers. Therefore, we have to abandon the traditional consciousness towards agriculture,” he said.

Dr Surjit Singh from Punjabi University said the relative issue in farmers’ stir was about Punjabi culture and social behaviour. “Victory of the peasant movement can only be accepted if it succeeds in redefining social status and mindsets as well,” he said.

The inaugural day had speakers and participants from Delhi University, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Jamia Millia Islamia University, Jammu University, Central University of Kashmir, Srinagar; Panjab University, Chandigarh; Punjabi University, Patiala; Guru Nanak Dev University and Khalsa College.