“Akhar Akhar”- 2nd Edition Book of Gurbhajan Gill’s anthology of ghazals written during last fifty years released 

Ludhiana, May 1, 2024: Punjabis all over the world need to build a popular people ‘movement to promote book reading culture. These views were expressed by Dr. S P Singh, a former VC of Guru Nank Dev University and Chairman of the management board of the Gujranwala Guru Nanak Khalsa College, Ludhiana who presided over the function in its Postgraduate Punjabi department. The 2nd edition of the book which is titled as “Akhar Akhar” is an anthology of Ghazls of Gurbhajan Gill written by him during last 50 years from 1973 to 2023. Gill has been a student of this college.  

Dr S P Singh informed that only last year, Ist edition of this anthology was released in this college and it’s matter of great satisfaction that 500 copies of books have been read by interested readers after purchasing the same. Its second edition is even more beautifully printed, he said. He also said that he is proud of his student Gurbhajan Gill, who is always well versed with societal issues and always gives creative and profound literary writings.

Prof. Ravinder Bhattal, a former president of Punjabi Sahit Akademi Ludhiana, Dr. Gurikbal Singh General Secretary Punjabi Lok Virasat Academy, Dr. Tejinder Kaur Assistant Professor Punjabi Department and Poet Trailochan Lochi also gave valuable comments on Gurbhajan Gill’s book.

On this occasion, Gurbhajan Gill recited his selected ghazals and said that Gujranwala Guru Nanak Khalsa College has inspired me on the path of literary creation and has continuously supported me in my journey.

Gill gave gratitude to his parents, elder sister Manjit Kaur Waraich, elder brothers Prin. Jaswant Singh Gill and Prof. Sukhwant Singh Gill and his family including granddaughter Asis Kaur Gill, who have always encouraged me profoundly. Book also contains an artistic outline creation by Aasis Kaur Gill.

Speaking as a special guest, Harjinder Thind, the chief presenter of Radio FM ,and an important name in  Canada's broadcasting world  said that they have been  friends from the time of studying in Government College, Ludhiana and have been meeting continuously in Punjab and abroad for the last  fifty years. Prof Gurbhajan Gill's contribution in connecting Punjabis with book culture in Surrey and getting build Punjab Bhawan there from Sukhi Bath will be remembered in history.

A literature lover and a businessman from Houston (USA). Raghubir Singh Ghun said that I have not come to this college as a special guest, but to express my gratitude as this college has taught the rural children of Punjab to have new dreams. Friend, Gurbhajan Gill who graduated from this college was our fellow student at Government College, Ludhiana and their association is also 50 years old. He informed that he is purchasing 200 copies of the book for distributing in memory of his mother Pritam Kaur. He also promised to send an amount of rupees one lac to the college for its Parvaasi Sahit Adhyan Kender of the college.  

Raghubir Singh Ghun and Harminddr Singh Thind were honoured on the occasion too.  

The principal of the college Dr. Arvinder Singh Bhalla thanked the writers and guests who came and said that it was a matter of pride to see them all at the book release function, the book which is an entire ghazal anthology of Gurbhajan Gill who not only was a student here but has also been actively involved on every occasion for this organization. He also thanked donors for providing financial support for Pravasi Sahitya Adhyan Kendera.

In the event, Dr. Satish Sharma who was the national director of DAV educational institutions for a long time was also present. Others present were Krishan Kumar Bawa of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Foundation, famous Sikh thinker Dr. Anurag Singh, Balwinder Singh Boparai, Editor-in-Chief of Jujhar Times , Dr. Nirmal Singh Jora Director of Student Welfare of Punjab Agriculture University, Ashwini Bhalla, Deputy Director (Colleges) of Punjab, Dr. Sunita Rani (Kharar) Kanwaljit Singh Shankar, Prof. Sharanjit Kaur, Dr. Hargunjot Kaur, Dr. Mandeep Kaur Randhawa, Dr. Gurpreet Singh, Dr. Rajinder Kaur Malhotra, Rajinder Singh Sandhu and many other literature lovers were present also.