Day 2: World Punjabi meet takes up community issues

Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, February 16

Discussions on the diverse socio-economic, cultural and political issues of the Punjabi community living in India and abroad marked the Day 2 of the second edition of the World Punjabi Conference at Punjab Kala Bhawan here today. 

Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, the first turbaned Sikh MP in the UK, said the conference provided a platform for self introspection by Punjabis the world over as they could jointly discuss, review and evaluate the challenges ahead. We must preserve, promote and propagate our pristine Punjabi culture. 

Academician, scholar and thinker Dr Sukhdev Singh Sirsa said they would have to take their supporters and detractors for the growth of their multicultural and multicoloured community. Presiding over the session, Dr. Sadhu Singh from Canada lamented, “Despite the doctrine of mutual brotherhood, caste prejudice and gender parity still ail our so-called civilised society.”

Authors Mohan Bhandari, Siri Ram Arsh, Shiv Nath, Taran Gujral, Sarvan Jafar, Gurcharan Singh Boparai and Swaran Singh were honoured for their literary contributions. 

In the evening session, Indra Jai Singh, senior advocate in the Supreme Court, read out a paper on ‘Indian woman, challenges and struggle’. Similarly, Balwinder Kaur Arora presented views on ‘Punjabi woman - Present and future’. 

A Punjabi play, ‘Pul Serat’, written by playwright Swarajbir and directed by Kewal Dhaliwal was also staged.