Mela Gadri Babeyan Da all set to kick off from today

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, October 30

The 30th Mela Gadri Babeyan Da, dedicated to the Babbar Akali Movement and the historic Kisan Andolan will be held on October 31 and November 1. P Sainath will be a keynote speaker at the mela.

Desh Bhagat Yadgaar Committee President Ajmer Singh, General Secretary Gurmeet Singh, cultural wing convenor Amolak Singh, assistant secretary Dr Parminder Singh, vice-president Seetal Singh Sangha and treasurer Ranjit Singh Aulakh today, while addressing a press conference at the Desh Bhagat Yadgaar Hall, said while the mela this year will discuss the historic significance of the Babbar Akali Movement, it will also be dedicated to the Kisan Andolan going for the past one year in Delhi and across the country.

They said the mela would also reaffirm the firm commitment to continue the agitation against the ‘black laws’ and against the government which remains steadfast in its support for the corporate.

Committee leaders said on the first day of the mela on October 31, there will be a discussion on the Babbar Akali Movement and Kisan Andolan. ‘Farm Crisis: Struggle and Solutions’ topic will see Dr Gyan Singh (acclaimed economist, Punjabi University, Patiala) as the key speaker along with assistant secretary of the Desh Bhagat Committee. Dr Parminder Singh, committee member Jagroop and Darshan Khatkar.

In the second session, ‘Babbr Akali Movement’s History’ topic will see Dr Kamlesh Mohan, (retd Prof History Punjabi University, Chandigarh) as speaker. At 4 pm in the evening there will be Kavi Darbar followed by screening of a documentary film.

On November 1, the custom of hosting the Ghadar party flag at 10.30 am in the morning will be held by Senior Trustee Bhagat Singh Jhuggian. Committee President Ajmer Singh and general secretary Gurmeet Singh will address the gathering. Penned by Amolak Singh, an opera-like flag song (jhande da geet) on Babbars, Jallianwala Bagh and labourer-farmer struggle will be presented next. Dr Surjit Patar, Dr Varyam Sandhu’s poetry will be part of the song. A workshop is also being held at the Desh Bhagat Yadgaar hall on October 28.

On November 1, acclaimed journalist, environmental expert, winner of the Ramon Magsaysay Award and founder of the People’s Archive of Rural India (PARI), P Sainath will be the keynote speaker. Acclaimed playwright Gursharan Singh’s ‘Sees Tali Te’will be presented by Chandigarh School of Drama. Folk and cultural performances will mark song- music presentations on the day.

The book, ‘Kirti Party: During the Second World War’ originally authored by Chain Singh Chain and edited by Chairunji Lal Kangniwal will be released. A jago will also be presented in the evening by Phulwari Kala Lendra, Lohian.

The plays to be presented at the mela’s acclaimed night of theatre will include - Prof Ajmer Singh Aulkah’s team Lok Kala Manch Mansa’s “Ain Kiven Hoh Lainge Zameenan Sadian’; Manch Rang Manch Amritsar’s Kewal Dhaliwal directed “Khooni Vasakhi”, Adakar Manch Mohali Dr Sahib Singh’s ‘Dhann Likhari Nanka”, Anita Shabdish directed Italian theatrist Dario Fo’s play’s Punjabi adaptation “Eddan Tan Fer Eddan hi Sahi’ from Suchetak Rangmanch Mohali and Shiv Sihora-Pavel Sihora directed ‘Ghasseya Hoeya Admi’ from Avami Rang Manch Sihora (Ludhiana).

The mela will also be marked by a book exhibition, exhortation for restoring previous look of Jallianwala Bagh.

Watch out for these events

• Discussion on Babbar Akali Movement, farmers protest
• Acclaimed journalist, environmental expert, winner of the Ramon Magsaysay Award and founder of the People's Archive of Rural India (PARI), P Sainath to address the gathering
• Hosting of the Ghadar party flag at 10.30 am in the morning will be held by Senior Trustee Bhagat Singh Jhuggian

Join Whatsapp Channel of The Tribune for latest updates.