Open House Will the call for having all signboards in Punjabi help promote the language in the state?

Follow NEP to promote mother tongue

The move can help promote Punjabi in the state, but to a limited extent only. It can be considered as a secondary measure for upgrading the position of Punjabi in comparison to that of other languages. To promote Punjabi in true manner, the literacy in Punjabi should start at the grassroots level of education, with equal emphasis laid on teaching the mother tongue as is laid on teaching English. The preparations for the implementation of the guidelines listed in the National Educational Policy (NEP) 2020, with respect to promotion of imparting education in the mother tongue, must be started at the earliest. Declamation, debate, reading and writing competitions in Punjabi can be organised in a systematic manner regularly, at the district and state levels, with eminent Punjabi scholars, writers, benefactors constituting the jury or the consultation team. Scholarships should be provided to those excelling in the language; these could be the school or college-going students or the aspiring Punjabi connoisseurs. Book fairs can be held from time to time, where literature of great, revolutionary authors can be showcased so that the public becomes aware of the splendid literary works in the holy language and are able to enhance their Punjabi lexicon. To make the subject more interesting and enthralling, comic textbooks, audios, videos on remarkable stories, poems, plays, lessons and biographies, should be made accessible for the students. All these suggestions, if enforced in an efficient way, could contribute effectively in the promotion of Punjabi in the state.

Anshika Kohli

Draw lessons from France, Germany

There is no denying the fact that the Punjabi language is gaining foothold in foreign nations, especially Canada and the UK. But in our own nation, it is looked down upon in echelons of society. In educational institutions like schools and colleges, it is yet to get due respect and acceptability. We should not be averse to learning English, Hindi, French or any other language, but not at the cost of mother tongue. We should not treat the vernacular language in such a way that it becomes alien to the next generation. The latest move by the government to display all signboards in Punjabi is laudable. But much more needs to be done. First and foremost, the licence of educational institutes discouraging Punjabi should be cancelled. Cultural and creative clubs should be constituted wherein accomplished exponents from the field of films, music and literature hailing Punjabi can be involved to educate, entertain and encourage youth to embrace the language. Incentives and rewards can given away to Punjabi language aficionados who help promote it holistically. We must draw lessons of wisdom from the people of France, Germany, Spain, etc, who love their language from the core of their heart. It is the moral duty of every resident of the state to promote their language.

Simranjeet Singh Saini

Make it compulsory subject, not elective

The prosperity of any language depends on the number of people who speak it. The mother tongue should always be preferred over other languages in any state. Therefore, in Punjab too, Punjabi should be the first preference. We welcome the Chief Minister’s call for the mass movement for displaying all signboards across the state in Punjabi. But this one step alone is not enough to promote Punjabi. Along with this, it is important to make Punjabi a compulsory subject instead of it being elective. Co-curricular activities in schools should be encouraged to be conducted in English as well as in Punjabi. There should be no penalty for speaking Punjabi in schools, and instead should be encouraged as a medium for education. Participation of children in discussions in their first language has been found to be effective in the overall development of a child. Office work should also be done in Punjabi. Mandatory Punjabi paper for competitive examination is also a good initiative by the government. Use of Punjabi in parliamentary proceedings and its live telecast instills the confidence and hope among the native speakers. Stigma and inferiority complex associated with speaking Punjabi should be shunned and one must take pride in the vast vocabulary and rich literature written in Punjabi language.

Khushkaran Singh

Include edu institutes, private establishments

The Punjab Government’s long-awaited decision to get all signboards written in Punjabi language (Gurmukhi script) is laudable and needs to be implemented strictly in the state. Punjab cannot afford any laxity, deviation or any further delay on the subject which is emotionally linked with Punjabis all over the world as the language is still victim of apathy and discrimination at the hands of successive administrative machineries. The government needs to go further in getting the order implemented at all Central Government offices and its boards and corporations, including Railways and highways, falling within the state boundaries. The formula of three languages with punjabi prominently at the top, Hindi in the middle and English may or may not at the bottom, be made applicable to such signboards. The latest order needs to be strictly applied to all shops, private business establishments and all educational institutions in a time-bound manner while providing penalties for the defaulters.

Jagdish Chander

Promote Hindi & English equally

Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s decision to have signboards in Punjabi across the state is a welcome. The government’s working and functioning and other correspondence is already in Punjabi. Now, the latest decision will further boost promotion of the vernacular language. However, let’s not forget that people from across the country and abroad visit Punjab, and for their benefit signboards should be in all three languages — Punjabi, Hindi and English. It’s equally important to promote Hindi and English as the former is our national language and the latter global. The number of IELTS centres is increasing rapidly because the youth want to go abroad for a bright future; this is the reason that other languages be also promoted in Punjab. In Canada, along with English, Punjabi is also mentioned on the signboards. Punjabi culture can be promoted through folk dance and music, especially songs sung by late Surinder Kaur, late Parkash Kaur and other Punjabi Singers decades ago.

Rajat Kumar Mohindru

Mother tongue has unique significance

Before the Partition, Punjabi culture was at the pinnacle of glory. Punjabi language was widely spoken over a vast territory by the majority of people and many renowned saints, Sufis and revered Gurus nurtured the language vide their recitals and preaching. Punjabi language and culture got a fillip during Khalsa Raj of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Later, when Greater Punjab was divided and its larger part went to Pakistan, its rich heritage was subjected to a lot of sufferings, but sustained dignified existence despite the shift of epicentre. To utter dismay, the state was divided second time in 1966, arising many controversies on linguistic lines. Though Punjabi was recognised as the official language of Punjab, yet it transcended to second fiddle in some elite circles. Although one can undisputedly learn any number of languages to gain knowledge, yet in overall development of an individual mother tongue carries a unique significance. Sadly, many schools, clubs and social organisations blatantly ignore to accord due recognition to the vernacular language it deserves. In an attempt to promote the mother language, CM Bhagwant Maan has urged all establishments in the state to display signboards in Punjabi at prominent places by February 21, International Language Day. The initiative of the government is, indeed, praiseworthy and must be accorded due welcome by one and all.

Nirmaljit Singh Chatrath

Make it mandatory in government offices

Like the previous governments, the Bhagwant Singh Maan-led AAP dispensation has also reiterated its commitment to promote the Punjabi culture and language in the state as it is the symbol of the identity and pride of all Punjabis. The CM’s call to the residents for starting a mass movement for displaying all signboards on private and public buildings across the state in Punjabi before the coming International Mother Tongue Day on February 21 is timely. Likewise, he has also exhorted the Punjabi community living abroad to promote the language. This ‘noble practice’ once followed will certainly restore the lost glory of the language and give it due respect. Unfortunately, people who have embraced modernity are drifting away from their mother tongue and prefer either Hindi or English for general conversation at the cost and status of Punjabi. But promoting Punjabi is the primary as well as the moral duty of all Punjabis. The government should ensure that the language is implemented in totality in government offices. It should also raise awareness of the rich heritage of the Punjabi language and culture. Educational institutes should employ trained teachers who can use new technologies to enhance language learning.

Tajpreet S Kang

Signboard move may trouble tourists

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s call for the mass movement to promote Punjabi through signboards is laudable. Before him, only Lachlan Singh Gill as Chief Minister promoted Punjabi in the government circles. However, Punjab is visited by people from across the country and even abroad. They visit and pay obeisance at the Golden Temple in Amritsar as well as the Jallianwala Bagh. Hindi is our national tongue and English lingua franca. So, having all signboards only in Punjabi may not be feasible and even advisable. In countries like England and Canada, there are several signboards in Punjabi with Gurumakhi script to facilitate expatriates. The government must find some other better ways and strategies to promote Punjabi than to convert all signboards in Punjabi.

Dr JS Wadhwa

Teach it seriously

in schools, colleges

People belonging to various communities in Punjab have always taken great pride in their history, culture, language and identity. Despite the tyrannical Muslim rulers suppressing and subduing them and imposing Urdu and Persian on them, they have been in the forefront of major national movements. Punjabi has been the language of the masses with high literacy due to Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s schemes. There is no doubt that Punjabi is the official language of the state. But for some years, it has taken a back seat vis-a-vis English and Hindi. Many elite and educated parents, particularly those living in cities, do not converse in Punjabi at home. They consider it a downgraded language which is spoken and read only by backward people. Concerned over the issue, the AAP government’s initiative to have all signboards, including public hoardings, traffic rules or other posters on roads, written in Punjabi to promote the language and culture of Punjab is heartily welcome. For Punjabi language to prosper and be popular, it should be taught more seriously in all schools across the state. It will expose the new generation to the importance and beauty of Punjabi language and its rich literature. The government should also promote Punjabi tourism to spread the language and its culture and traditions.

D S Kang

Welcome step, but must Respect all languages

CM Bhagwant Mann’s decision to put all sign-boards in Punjabi is welcome. We must promote our Punjabi culture. Punjabis are present all over the world and there is a need to spread our culture. The issue should not become a political one. Our politicians always spread regionalism for getting votes, but then they go abroad to seek treatment. The children of our politicians study only in foreign universities. We must understand that not just Punjabi, other languages are also important.

Harvinder Singh Chugh

QUESTION

With an aim to make the state a world-class medical education hub, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann recently gave approval to the construction of 16 more medical colleges across the state. Do you think the decision will put the state on the global map of medical education?

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