BBC documentary series producer visits Panglian village
Lovleen Bains
Doraha, April 10
Producer of popular BBC history and travel documentary series “Great Continental Railway Journeys” Lauren Bennie was at Pangalian village of the district today, where he shot a few scenes for his documentary.
Since Boundless Productions was granted permission by the Government of India to film a new series of this BBC travelogue and history series in India, Lauren is travelling from Amritsar to Shimla and stopped en route at Ludhiana.
“As wheat production is an integral part of Punjab’s economy, we visited the wheat farm of Pavittar Pal Singh Pangli, a progressive farmer, today. We not only filmed at his farm, but also enjoyed cooking and eating chappatis along with other delicacies. It was indeed a wonderful experience as we were taken in by the hospitality shown by Pangli, his family and villagers,” said Lauren Bennie.
“The series will be broadcast later this year to coincide with the 70th anniversary of India’s independence. Our presenter Michael Portillo, who is touring India by train, is following an antique guidebook published for railway travellers in 1913. He is visiting places mentioned in the guide, discovering natural wonders, historic buildings, industries, agriculture and cultural experiences enjoyed by travellers a century ago and learning what has changed since then. Along the way, he will learn about the role of the railways in Indian life then and now and explore themes in the 20th Century Indian history,” he said.
Pavittar Pal Singh Pangli, whose farms the BBC team visited, said: “The transformation in farming and farm techniques from 1930s till date was discussed at length. The change from cultivators to farm workers and finally to multiple land owners, where we could extend beyond our limits, was shared with the team. Then the way in which we at Pangli farms engaged in the transfer of technology at the time of Green Revolution adding new varieties of seeds for the enhancement of production and landed property was also shared with Lauren. I further told him about my association and collaboration with the PAU.”
