Anmol Gagan Mann and MP Sanjiv Arora to chief guests in World Heritage Day function at Kothi Bassian on Tuesday

Raikot (Ludhiana), April 17, 2023: In order to connect the young generation abreast with rich culture, heritage, history and tradition of Punjab, a Punjabi Cultural Art Festival will be organised in Maharaja Dalip Singh Memorial, popularly known as Bassian Kothi in unprecedented manner with full enthusiasm on the eve of World Heritage Day tomorrow. 

The Cabinet Minister Anmol Gagan Mann and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjiv Arora will be chief guests of the festival. 

Reviewing the preparations of the festival, Raikot MLA Hakam Singh Thekedar said that to raise awareness among the young generation about the diversity of cultural heritage, a Punjabi Cultural Art festival will be held in the Bassian Kothi which is a more than 200-year-old monument of Sikh heritage. He said that the festival would be organized under the supervision of Maharaja Dalip Singh Memorial Charitable Trust headed by Chairman Gurbhajan Singh Gill. 

MLA said that the festival would be inaugurated by Deputy Commissioner Surabhi Malik at 11 am followed by folk music performances by Chairman Punjab Genco Limited Navjot Singh Mander, Folk instrument playing and Malwai Giddha will be performed by eminent poet and folk artist Amritpal Singh Pali Khadim. A team of International Sikh Martial Art Council led by Chairman Harjit Singh Grewal will show Gatka skills. 

The MLA said that there would also be traditional Sialkoti folk dance Bhangra performances by Trustee Pirthipal Singh President Surjit Memorial Foundation Batala and Professor Balveer Singh Kola. Danveer, who lives in Toronto and Dalbir Singh Kathuria, Chairman of Vishwa Punjabi Sabha Toronto, will give turbans as gifts. The winners of the senior and junior category students in the turban competition will be given cash prizes sponsored by Sahil America, with the support of Virsa Shavna Sirdari Lehar Punjab.

Hakam Singh Thekedar further said that from 5pm to 7pm on Tuesday, the district administration will meet with the leading industrialists of Punjab regarding the promotion of art and culture. 

Deputy Commissioner Surbhi Malik said that the Cabinet Minister Anmol Gagan Maan will be chief guest and it will be presided over by Member of Parliament Sanjiv Arora.

Famous Sufi singer Mohammad Irshad from North Zone Cultural Center Patiala will also enthral the audience with his soulful sufi performance. 

Malik said sincere efforts would be made to restore the pristine glory of the Maharaja Dalip Singh Memorial. A documentary film about Maharaja Dalip Singh Memorial Kothi by renowned photo artist Harpreet Singh Sandhu will also be released. A selfie point has been set up at this place for people. 

Prominent amongst present on the occasion included SDM Gurbir Singh Kohli,  Secretary Parminder Singh Jattpuri and others.