Debut book on poetry, collection of short stories released at Virsa Vihar

Akhar Sahit Academy, Amritsar, in collaboration with Virsa Vihar Society, launched a debut poetry collection, Dard-e-Dil, by expatriate Dr Harpreet Gill at Virsa Vihar. Sufi poet Bakhtawar Singh attended the function as the chief guest while Akhar Sahit Academy president Dr Karnail Sher Gill, Dr Vikramjit, eminent poet Nirmal Arpan and the author of the book Dr Harpreet Gill were present as guests of honour.

Dr Baljit Singh Dhillon’s collection of short stories, “Gamle Mikh Laga Bohar”, was also released by the Pragatisheel Lekhak Sangh. Gill, while speaking about his book, said, “Punjabi language has a rich vocabulary and I wanted to present the language of my roots and culture while planning my first book. The poems are based on my own reflections and emotions, with a commentary on social and cultural challenges that Punjabis have been facing.”

Dr Dhillon, who started his career as a research assistant at Guru Nanak Studies Department, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, in 1979 and retired as a professor and Director, Centre for Studies in Guru Granth Sahib at GNDU, has been writing on Sikh history and related issues.

His latest book is a compilation of short stories. He has been investigating the old historical documents in libraries and archives of India and abroad and has been instrumental in organising healthy academic debates on contemporary Sikh issues.