Dil hai Hindustani

SD Sharma 

Gurbat mein hon agar ham, Rehta hai dil vatan mein 

Samjho hamein vahin tum, dil ho jahan hamara....

The couplet by poet Allama Iqbal endorses the nostalgia reflected in all poems of Canada-based poet Jagwant Gill’s Punjabi book Shabad Ujagar Ho Gye, which was released at Punjab Kala Bhawan-16 recently.

The book release ceremony and symposium organized by Baba Farid Foundation International, Punjab Arts Council and Punjabi Lekhak Sabha was well attended by Chandigarh’s literary fraternity. 

The programme commenced with a welcome note by Pritam Singh Bharowal, chairman, Baba Farid Foundation, who also introduced the author Jagwant Gill, a dairy scientist from a sleepy village Dallah in Moga and now settled at Calgary in Canada. 

Acclaimed poet and secretary-general PAC Lakhwinder Johal presented a critical appreciation on the book. Besides, eminent poet Sardar Panchhi, Sukhwinder Kaur Sidhu and Punjabi Lekhak Sabha president Balkar Sidhu offered their views.

PAC Chairperson and Shiromani Punjabi poet, Dr Surjit Patar, lauded the poet for retaining his passion for writing who used to participate in literary functions as a student at PAU, Ludhiana. Jagwant Gill, however, acknowledged the influence of his parents and Dr Patar on his poetry.