International conference on parwasi punjabi sahit begins 

Ludhiana: Parvasi Sahit Adhyan Kendar of Gjranwala Guru Nanak Khalsa College, Ludhiana, in collaboration with Punjab Bhawan, Surrey (Canada), Punjabi Akadmi, Delhi, Indoz Punjabi Sahit Academy, Australia and Sahit Sur Sangam Sabha, Italy, inaugurated its two-day International Conference on ‘Parvasi Punjabi Sahit: in Contemporary Context’. S. Kamaldeep Singh Sangha, M.D, Milkfed, presided over the conference, S. Varinder Walia, Editor-in-Chief, Punjabi Jagran and Dr Jaswinder Singh, Punjabi University, Patiala delivered the inaugural speech and keynote address respectively. The conference commenced with shabad-gayan. Dr Arvinder Singh, college Principal, extended a warm welcome to all present and threw light on ‘Parvasi Sahit Adhyan Kendar’ of the college.

S. Kamaldeep Singh Sangha while appreciating the endeavours of Parvasi Sahit Adhyan Kendar for organizing International Conference every year, said that the people are getting aware of their mother-tongue world-wide but as far as Punjab is concerned, the families here are getting isolated from their mother tongue. He added that by using Punjabi language in family, business, society and the government tasks, it has motivated the people to use their mother tongue. S. Varinder Walia mentioned that Information Technology has transformed the word into a global village which makes it mandatory for the intellectuals as well as the researchers to study and analyse the world class literature. Such types of conferences play a pivotal role in providing a platform to the thinkers, scholars and writers.

Dr Jaswinder Singh, in his keynote address, discussed the contemporary contextual changes in literary field by emphsising on the chief concerns of Parvasi Punjabi Sahit. He further added that this literature has accepted the global PADHARI VARTARE as the organ of its writings. He told emphatically that this literature stands equal to Punjabi literature for which the efficient writings of the Parvasi Punjabi writers must be appreciated. Dr Harchand Singh Bedi, Emeritus Professor, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar and also first Parvasi Punjabi thinker and critic, along with S. Sukhwinder Kamboj, first Parvasi Punjabi Sahit writer were honoured and awarded with 51,000/- rupees for their contribution in this field.

Dr S.P. Singh, honourary General Secretary (former Vice-Chancellor, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar) Gujranwala Khalsa Educational Council said that this institution has been making worthwhile endeavours to promote and escalate Parvasi Punjabi literature, Punjabi language, literature and culture. He stated that the main purpose and objective of this two-day International Conference is to try to decipher the diverse concepts of Parvasi Punjabi literature in contemporary context. He said that this Kendar, which was established in 2011, has organized dozens of International/National level Conferences, Seminars, Discussions and has also released books of Parvasi Punjabi writers successfully. Kendar has also published 07 books in total, based on the criticism of Parvasi Punjabi Sahit, out of which 05 are in Punjabi, 01 in English and 01 in Hindi. He aslo congratulated Punjabi Department and the entire team of Parvasi Punajbi Sahit Adhyan Kendar for the resurgence of ‘Parvas’, a quarterly magazine.

Prof Gurbhajan Singh Gill, former President, Punjabi Sahit Akadmi, Ludhiana graced this event as the guest of honour. He mentioned that it was Gadari Baabe who had initiated the Sahit writing in abroad. It is the need of the hour to ponder upon the writings of those writers but at the same time it becomes the duty of the sociologists, economists and also political scientists to evaluate the social impact of these writings. Sri Sukhi Bath, founder, Punjab Bhawan, Surrey, Canada said that it has been the continuous efforts of Parvasi Sahit Adhyan Kendar and Punjab Bhawan, Surrey to flourish Punjabi language, literature and culture and the tradition would continue in the coming years as well.

Teachers and research scholars from various colleges and institutions presented their research papers in technical sessions of Punjabi and English after the inaugural session. Prof. Gurpal Singh Sandhu, Punjabi University, Chandigarh, presided over the technical session of Punjabi. Dr Paramjit Singh Ramana, former Professor, Central University, Bathinda and Dr. Tajinder Kaur, Punjabi University, Patiala presided two technical sessions of English respectively.

S. Satbinder Singh, President, Gujranwala Khalsa Educational Council, Dr. S.P. Singh and college principal presented award of honour and set of books published by Parvasi Sahit Adhyan Kendar to the eminent personalities and delegates. Dr Bhupinder Singh, Head, P.G. department Punjabi proposed a vote of thanks to all the distinguished personalities, writers from different countries, teachers, research scholars and students. The other esteemed personalities who had spared their valuable time to witness this conference were, Sukhwinder Kamboj (America), Dr. Nirmal Jaura, Dean Youth Welfare, Panjab University, Chandigarh, Nakshdeep Panjkoha (America), Prof. Navroop Kaur, Dr. Tejinder Kaur Shahi (Canada), Chamkaur Singh Sekhon, S. Manmohan Singh Samra, Gurbachan Singh Jagpal (Australia) , Kulwant Sekhon (Australia) , Sukhinder (Canada), Nirpal Singh Shergill (England), Kesar Singh Kooner (Canada), Piara Singh Jhhajj (Canada) Charan Singh, Tirlochan Lochi, Manjinder Dhanoa, Gurcharan Kaur Kochhar, Daljit Shahi, Dr. Gulzar Pandher & worthy members of college management committee Prof. Prithipal Singh Kapur,Ex. Pro-Vice Chancellor, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, S. Kuljeet Singh, S. Bhagwant Singh and S. Hardeep Singh. Prof. Manjit Singh Chhabra, Director, G.G.N.I.M.T and G.G.N.I.V.S. and teachers of Punjabi department, Dr Gurpreet Singh, Prof Sharanjeet Kaur, Dr Harpreet Singh Dua and Prof Harpreet Singh were also present during the conference. Dr Tajinder Kaur, Assistant Professor, PG. department of Punjabi conducted the stage efficiently.