Cultural identity

The World Punjabi Heritage Foundation will be organising a special mega award ceremony, Virsa De Waris, in November. The foundation has collaborated with various cultural organisations in Punjab and abroad. During the ceremony Punjab Shri Award and Kala Shri Award will be given to deserving Punjabis working anywhere in the world. Also, senior artistes will be honoured with Lifetime Achievement Awards, and financial assistance will be provided to artistes facing financial difficulties.

The announcement was made during a press conference at the Chandigarh Press Club on Saturday by famous Punjabi folk singers Sukhwinder Kaur Brar, also known as Sukhi Brar, Pammi Bai and Hardeep Bai, and actor Malkeet Rauni.

They talked about how Punjab, known as the land of five rivers, is currently battling issues such as migration, drug addiction, barren land, underground water scarcity and debt. To rescue any society or state from such crises, it is essential to revive its culture, folk traditions, and heritage. The World Punjabi Heritage Foundation is taking on the responsibility of restoring Punjab to its former glory and prosperity through this effort. Sukhi Brar, the brain behind this initiative, shared, “We will also include the youth who are making efforts to preserve the true cultural identity of Punjab through their extensive work. Not only will they perform at the ceremony but will also be honoured. We are yet to decide the jury members and finalise the date of awards. We hope that just like our initiative Punjabi Maa Boli Da Mela was success two years back, this too will become a hit.” He also appealed to the global Punjabi community to support this initiative.