Activists, writers welcome allocation of Rs 25 crore for promotion of Punjabi

Charanjit Singh Teja

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, March 24

With the Budget announcement of Rs 25 crore for promotion of Punjabi language, local activists and writers have appreciated the government move.

They have demanded that the amount be spent to encourage research and education of Punjabi. Amritsar is hub of Punjabi literature and language activism. Local literary personalities have sought concrete steps to implement Punjabi in government and private organisations.

The government had allocated the amount in the past, but did not use it for the promotion of the language, said Bhupinder Singh Sandhu, president of Aalmi Punjabi Virasat Foundation and secretary, Punjabi Sahit Akadmi.

“There are several rare publications of Punjabi, which need government’s support to reprint. Research work is needed to strengthen Punjabi routes,” he added.

“Dictionaries and online tools are required to attract Punjabi youth towards language. The language will get its status in the state if the government creates employment in Punjabi field,” he said.

“We welcome the government’s move, but it is bitter truth that no political party is concerned with the promotion of Punjabi language. The state government should change its policy to teach English from Class I. The basic education should be in Punjabi for all. The government should strengthen the Language Department,” said Deepdavinder Singh, a story teller and vice-president of Punjabi Lekhak Sabha.

Meanwhile, several other Punjabi writers have demanded the announcement of annual awards.