Kaputhala:- The District Language Office, Kapurthala organized a literary and cultural programme titled “Sabbhiacharak Rang – Sahit De Sang” in the courtyard of British Victoria School, Sultanpur Lodhi, Kapurthala to celebrate Punjabi Month. The event was presided over by S. Surinder Sunnar (Director, Apni Awaaz). Eminent Punjabi poet S. Darshan Singh Butter (President, Kendri Punjabi Lekhak Sabha) attended as the chief guest, while renowned poet Dr. Amarjeet Kaunke (translator and editor of “Pratimaan”) was the special guest.
On this occasion, Dr. Kuldeep Chauhan delivered a special lecture on the challenges and possibilities of the Punjabi language in the present era, in which he provided very important information about the influence of other languages on Punjabi. Presiding over the event, S. Surinder Sunnar praised the initiative of the District Language Office, Kapurthala for the promotion and propagation of Punjabi literature and art. Dr. Amarjeet Kaunke said that connecting the younger generation with Punjabi heritage and culture through such events is a very significant step. S. Darshan Singh Butter advised the students that along with studies, they should always remain associated with some literary, artistic or cultural activity, as it will add colour to their lives.
In the first part of the programme, painting, slogan-writing and essay-writing competitions were held among students. A total of 18 students who secured first, second and third positions from Class VI to VIII (Category O) and Class IX to XII (Category A) were awarded certificates and books as prizes. The winning students who received the maximum prizes belonged to M.G.N. Public School Kapurthala, Cambridge International School Sultanpur Lodhi, Christ Jyoti School Sultanpur Lodhi, The Hakwarld School Talwandi Chaudhrian, British Victoria School Sultanpur Lodhi and Baba Darbara Singh Collegiate School Tibba.
In the second phase, a cultural programme was presented in which school students gave beautiful performances of folk songs, folk dances, Mirza, Giddha and Bhangra. Internationally acclaimed Dhadi Jatha led by S. Gurjeet Singh Gauri and his companions opened with shabads in remembrance of the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib and then captivated the audience with poems explaining Punjabi dialect and everyday relationships. Managing Director of British Victoria School, S. Arshdeep Singh thanked all the guests, students from various institutions and their representatives for participating in the event. The judging duties were performed by Dr. Kuldeep Chauhan, S. Arjunjeet Singh, Smt. Munnaza Irshad, S. Harjinder Singh Khanowal and S. Harjinder Singh. Shri Shahbaz Khan very ably conducted the stage. Staff members of the District Language Office, Manish Kumar and Salman, managed the entire programme excellently. Employees of British Victoria School Sultanpur Lodhi – Satwinder Singh, Jyoti, Rajneet, Sangeeta, Ramandeep Kaur, Kusum and Harpal Singh – performed their duties with full dedication.