Govt should promote Punjabi: Scholars

Charanjit Singh Teja

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, November 22

The two-day 37th Prof Mohan Singh Memorial Cultural Mela concluded today at Punjabi Bhawan. A large number of folk, art and culture lovers visited the mela and enjoyed the performances.

The gathering at Mela passed a resolution to save the Punjabi language, cultural and traditional values. The organisers demanded from Punjab Government to draw Punjab Cultural Policy to punish singers and lyricists for promoting vulgarity and violence in Punjabi songs.

They also demanded implementation of Punjabi Language Act-2008 and take action against those schools which punish students for speaking Punjabi in schools.

Pargat Singh Grewal, president, Mohan Singh Memorial Foundation, said, “The state government should provide pension who contributed to promotion of cultural and art. Punjabi names on most of signboards in state and National Highways have been written incorrect and government should take care of such matters.”

Meanwhile, Prof Mohan Singh Memorial Foundation awarded Dr Ragbir Singh Bains with Giani Ditt Singh Memorial Award, Gurmeet Singh Baidwan was awarded with Mohinder Singh Randhawa award, Folk Singer Kaler Kanth was awarded with Jagdev Singh Jassowal Sur Sehzada Award, Lyricist Pargat Singh was awarded with Inderjeet Hasanpuri Award, Kirpal Singh Dardi was awarded with Giani Sohan Singh Seetal award and Lyricist Janak Sharmeela awarded with Professor Mohan Singh Life Time Achievement Award.

Several folk artists including Ravinder Grewal, Harjit Harman, Kaler Kanth, Prabh Gill, Kulwinder Jhinger performed in the event.

Folk dance teams from Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh also performed their traditional dances. Gatka team of North Zone Cultural Centre also performed Gatka.

It is worth mentioning Prof Mohan Singh Memorial Cultural Mela started 36 year ago by Jagdev Singh Jassowal in memory of his friend and eminent poet Prof Mohan Singh. Prof Mohan Singh Memorial Foundation has been trying to keep the Mela alive even after the death of Jagdev Singh Jassowal last year. This year the Mela is dedicated to Jassowal.