Sapt Sindhu Literature Fest Delves into Punjab's Rich heritage and cultural history

Chandigarh, March 1, 2024: In the second phase of Sapt Sindhu Literature Fest, there was a detailed discussion on the contribution of Sapt Sindhu, i.e., Punjab, the land of seven rivers, to India becoming the world leader, and the present litterateurs expressed concern that their culture and heritage might get lost due to the introduction of artificial intelligence.

 In the first session, Dr. Varinder Garg, Amarjeet Grewal, Dr. Satnam Sandhu, Padmashree Surjit Patar, and Vice Chancellor of Panjab University, Dr. Renu Wig, gave detailed information about their 3000-year-old culture to the literature lovers present. Amarjeet Grewal said that Kalyug has ended in 2022 and a new yug has begun, which can be called the Knowledge Era. In this era of artificial intelligence, if we are not alert and forget the heritage of dialogue ethics and values, then in the next 5 years, we may lose our existence. He said that India can move towards becoming a world leader in the future only by harmonizing its ancient history and culture with artificial intelligence.

Dr. Varinder Garg left the literature lovers present astonished with his detailed presentation on the heritage and cultural history of Punjab from 3300 BC,  Takshashila University, Charak Samhita, Rigveda, Sri Guru Granth Sahib, etc. 
Giving detailed information, Vice Chancellor of Panjab University, Renu Vig, described Sapt Sindhu as the first place of Aryans and described in detail of oldest Sanatan Dharma in the world. He said  that India's first university, Takshashila University, used to have 10500 students and had 300 lecture halls, and students from all over the world used to come here to get diverse education.

Punjab Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwa, the chief guest of the second session, said that we are all lucky to have been born on this Sapt Sindhu, i.e., the land of Punjab. He said that our culture is rooted in the Vedas, and it is only by reading the Vedas that we can achieve success.  Padma Shri Dr. Surjit Patar discussed the differences in the views of poets and politicians. He said that the poet is concerned about the harmony of the common people. Describing the Sanskrit language as the mother of all languages, he said that we cannot speak it, but it is Sanskrit only. Which is what connects us all to each other.

The second day of the second round of the Sapt Sindhu Literature Festival focused on Rigveda. Punjab Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwa attended the session sitting in the audience gallery. In the third session, Haryana Assembly Speaker Gyan Chand Gupta was also included among the special guests. In the first session, Dr. Rawail Singh said that Rigveda is not just about one sage; it contains the summaries of many sages. Sanskrit is our ancient language and has tied the whole world together in one sutra. Dr. Ravinder Singh said that the Sapt Indus civilization is the base, and Rigveda is the ocean of knowledge and is inspiring knowledge to the whole world.

Dr. Nandita talked about Vedanta philosophy; she said that whatever we see, it all confuses us; the whole world is like an illusion.Chief guest Dr. Jagbir Singh, Chancellor of Central University Bathinda, talked about the importance of Sanskrit. Indian philosophy can be known only by fully understanding Gurbani, and for this, Sanskrit is necessary. Instead of following Western culture, we should follow our ancient culture, which cannot be inferior to modern civilization in any way.

While thanking the organizer, Nivedita Trust, Dr. Virendra Garg requested Punjabi folk singer Sukhi Brar to compose a song in Punjabi by rhythmizing Asat Nahi Si Tadon Nahi Sat Si, sung by Chief Guest Dr. Jagdish Singh, so that today's Punjabi youth can also benefit from it. Japji Sahib and Upanishads were discussed in the second session.Dr. Yograj expressed his thoughts about Japji Sahib, the first Patshah Guru Nanak Dev Ji. He repeated the importance of chanting the name, remembering the truth, doing Kirat, and waving the wand. Dr. Jagdeep Singh talked about linking the tradition of Shruti with speech.

Thereafter, Dr. Alankar, head of the Sanskrit department, said that on the occasion of the World Sanskrit Conference in Vancouver in 2018, in a special session, the special relationship between Punjab and Sanskrit was being discussed. If culture is discussed in any festival, then Punjab should be discussed. It is necessary to come.Explaining in detail about Waheguru, Dr. Alankar said that Wahe means to take the knowledge forward, and Guru means the Supreme Lord. Giani Hardeep Singh, while explaining in detail about Jainism and Buddhism, said that Brahma is one, Brahma's knowledge is also one, and knowledge is incarnating along with Brahma.

Prominent among those who received the Sapt Sindhu Award in today's session were Dr. Anshu Kataria, Aryans Group of Colleges, Surinder Singh, folk singer Sukhi Brar, SC Ralhan, Jitendra Mittal, Dr. Mukul Arora, Dr. Rachna Sharma, Baba Surinder Singh, Yadvinder Singh, Gurpreet Singh, Ranjit Sohal, Kanika Jindal, Anjum Moudgil.

On behalf of organizer Nivedita Trust, Meenakshi Agnihotri, Dr. Harish, Dr. Parveen, Dr. Jatinder Grover, Kalyani Singh, Monica Jindal, Anju Bala, Kunwar Jagmohan, Dr. Vimal Anjum, Shivani Singh, Gaurav Jindal, Advocate Prabhjot, Advocate Khushbir Bhullar, Shivani Aggarwal, Dr. Baljeet Singh, etc. were present.