GOOD NEWS: Punjab Govt to constitute Censor Board for screening content in videos and lyrics

Chandigarh, August 23: Sarwan Singh Phillaur, Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister Punjab emphasised the need of preserving and promoting rich cultural heritage of Punjab by taking certain strategic decisions involving various renowned Punjab related Intellectuals, writers and artists from across the country and abroad.

While presiding over a high level meeting of the officers of the department and renowned artists of Punjab, Phillaur said that the Punjab Government has already chalked out extensive plan to formulate Cultural Policy aiming at  curbing the practice of piracy of Punjabi music by making and enforcing the related law.

He regretted the vulgar words/lyrics used in the various latest songs by some particular singers these days and also the obscenity in the video content of Punjabi songs and movies diverting the mind and actions of youth from the basic ethos of Punjab. The real Punjabi culture lies in the folk songs, folk instruments, drama, literature and the rich heritage of Punjab, said Phillaur.

A censor board for screening the content shown in videos and the lyrics would be set up so that the censored content reaches the public, said Phillour

A step forward towards checking the audio-video piracy, the Minister said that Punjab government would strengthen the already constituted state level anti piracy cell headed by IGP/Crime for ensuring proper coordination and the multi-pronged action against Audio/Video Piracy.

Adding, he said that the state government had been receiving a large number of complaints from genuine manufacturers and producers of Audio/ Video cassettes, CDs regarding large scale unauthorized copying and sale of this material by certain unscrupulous and anti-social elements.

Speaking on the occasion, S.S.Channi, Principal Secretary Cultural Affairs said that with a view to encouraging youth towards preserving and promoting rich cultural values, the Cultural Affairs department together with the department of Education would organise workshops, fairs, events, etc. being organised at various schools and colleges of Punjab.

Dr. Karamjit Singh Sra, Director Cultural Affairs mentioned that the meeting held will prove to be a turning point and a milestone for the Culture of Punjab. He also mentioned that the Government is very serious about conserving and promoting the culture and was happy and satisfied that not only in Afghanistan, but in Goa, Mumbai and across the globe the Punjabi music is people’s favorite.

Dr. Sra also assured that such meetings would take place on regular basis to keep the follow up on the suggestions and to improvise and add more ideas and suggestions to make things flow more effectively.

Famous Singer and Chairman, Mohali Planning and Development Board, Harbhajan Mann said, the children and youth of Punjab need to be to be guided thoroughly about the rich cultural heritage of our state and deflect them from listening vulgar music. He also suggested that renowned artist and noted singer Gurdas Mann should be made the brand ambassador of Punjab to promote culture of Punjab across the country and world.

Mann also suggested, various cultural melas/fairs should be organized and the new and upcoming artists should be given a platform to perform in such melas along with the legendary ones.

Balvir Singh Ghunas, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Ravel Singh from Delhi, Vice Chancellor of GNDU, Amritsar, Dr. Inderjit Singh, renowned folk artist Pammi Bai, Dr. Sarabjit Kaur Sohal, Raj Brar from Mumbai, S. G. S. Sandhu from Ferozepur also present in the meeting and stressed on the need of constituting a cultural policy and strengthening the anti-piracy law.