Speakers for unified world to solve global crises

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, April 22

The Apeejay College of Fine Arts, Jalandhar, has been transformed into the “assembly of the United Nations”, with its most-awaited event Apeejay Stya Model United Nations 2017.

The mega event is being organised from April 22 to 24 in collaboration with the United Nations Informations Centre for India and Bhutan and the Indira Gandhi National Organisation.

Eminent personalities like Mani Shankar Aiyer, former Union Cabinet minister, Sandeep Dikshit, former Member of Parliament, Rana KP Singh, Speaker, Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Lt-General (retd) TS Shergill, Chief Advisor to Chief Minister Punjab with rank of Cabinet Minister of Punjab and Adtiya Berlia, co-founder and pro-chancellor of the Apeejay Stya University enlightened the gathering as the keynote speakers.

MS Aiyer opined that the root of all wars in the world was the lust for dominance and feeling of otherness. He said the United Nations Organisation (UNO) was formed to unite the diverse countries and spread the message of peace as the world had faced World War I and World War II in which millions of innocent people lost their lives. But even after the establishment of the UNO, the world has seen more than 150 wars like India-Pakistan conflict, wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria etc. which were the result of man’s lust for power. Sandeep Dikshit said a major threat to the world peace was intolerance and discrimination on the basis of caste, creed, complexion, gender, religion etc and only the power of educated youth could bring in the transformation.

Rana KP Singh said the problems of poverty and hunger were increasing by leaps and bounds around the globe and only a unified world could eliminate many crises. TS Shergill put forth the view that education was the only tool that could bring sophistication and tolerance in our civilisation.

Aditya Paul Berlia was upbeat to see the successful beginning of ASMUN and said the world had seen a major change in the past two decades and ASMUN was the right way to observe the depth of world’s changing scenario.

Principal Dr Sucharita expressed her gratitude to all dignitaries for sharing their valuable experience with students. In the three-day enterprise, students will throw light on the social issues related to international human rights based on discrimination of sexual orientation, illicit use of medicinal drugs, after-effects of demonetisation, politicalisation of educational institutes like the JNU and DU.

In this venture, 500 students from various institutions of the nation will participate as delegates. These include the National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management, Delhi, Amity IP, Delhi, JIIT Noida, DPS, Bangaluru, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun, Jindal School of International Affairs, Sonipat, St Stephen’s Delhi and many more. In the inaugural ceremony, students of the college mesmerised the audience with their impressive cultural musical performance.

Punjab Literary Festivala crowd-puller

The Punjab Literary Festival (PLF) showcased an unprecedented lineup of outstanding writers, artists, poets, academics and performers from all over India on its second day.

The day started with lamp lighting done by dignitaries, chief guest Sheetal Vij – chairman Dainik Savera, Gursaran Singh Sihra- chancellor of GNA University, Gurdeep Singh Sihra- Pro-Chancellor, Dr Prem Kumar - Vice Chancellor, Panchhi – guest of honour and keynote speaker and Dr Disha Khanna- secretary of the Punjab Literary Festival.

Dr Prem Kumar welcomed all dignitaries and guests and shared the vision and mission of the festival. He said the festival was a step to revive the literature and culture of Punjab. Panchhi, the guest of honour and an eminent poet and author, appreciated the efforts of the university to promote literature.

Dr Ankur Sharma shared his happiness to be part of this event and gave a productive session on “Craze of theatre amongst youngsters and its nitty gritties”. Pali Bhupinder Singh interacted one-on-one with the audience delivering on his named “The Page to Stage Process of Leading Punjabi Theatre”.

A cultural presentation, a Bhutanese dance by students of GNA University and a play named “Jhanah De Paani” directed by Vinod was also presented on the occasion. Another play was presented by Swami Sarabjeet on the theme of corruption.

On the second day also, literary talks were held. A talk on “What does it take to be a woman?” was hosted by Dr Tejinder Kaur, Manjit Indra and Mandeep Kaur Sidhu. Another talk on “Transformation of a bibliophile into an orator” was done between Brig RPS Sandhu and Guneet Paul.

Short stories from the real world on the topic “How to spin a yarn in today’s world?” were narrated by Dr Varinder Singh Gogna, Dr Sukhpreet Singh Udhoke, Shantanu and chef Arjun Pratap Singh. In the poetry session, poets and writers Ezhilvendan, Narinder Kaur, Jatinder Sharma, Dr P Thareja, chef Varinder Singh Rana, Dr Amit Sharma, chef Arjun Pratap Singh, among others, participated in the event.