Patiala, November 5: The Punjabi Month celebrated by the Department of Languages ??Punjab for the promotion of the mother tongue Punjabi was launched today at Bhasha Bhavan Patiala here in an impressive function. Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balveer Singh, who arrived as the chief guest on this occasion, said that no matter how many digital communication tools come; But books will always play a role as a true partner in every field, that's why we should keep our children connected with book culture.
He promised to convey the information given by the Director of Language Department Jaswant Singh Zafar regarding the needs of the department to the government and assured to solve the problems soon. He assured that soon the office of NCC will be shifted from the language department building to another place. Dr. Balveer Singh congratulated the award winners describing the writers and artists as a mirror of the society and encouraged them to write more good literature with their pen.
Jaswant Singh Zafar, Director of Language Department, Punjab, while presiding over the event, gave detailed information about the activities, achievements and needs of the Language Department. He said that the present government is showing full interest to implement the activities and plans of the department. He said that the department is making great efforts to bring Punjabi language to the people of the world through modern network platforms in order to make the Punjabi language suitable for the digital age.
He said that the department is struggling with lack of technical staff and printing related tasks. He congratulated the award winning writers. On this occasion Pawan Harchandpuri, President of Central Punjabi Writers' Association (Sekhon), Darshan Buttar, President of Central Punjabi Writers' Association, Dr. Atam Randhawa, President of Punjab Sahitya Academy Chandigarh and Dr. Sarabjit Singh; Pradhan Punjabi Sahitya Academy Ludhiana arrived as special guest. Harpreet Kaur, joint director of the department, welcomed the guests, writers and Punjabi lovers.
 Gurmukh Singh Musafir Award (Poetry) under the Best Literary Book Awards in Punjabi related to the year 2024 awarded on this occasion; To Randhir's book 'Khat Jhon Shihna No Rah Gaye'; Prince Sujan Singh Award (Story/Mini Story); Jasvinder Dharamkot's book 'Melanin'; Gurbakhsh Singh Pritladi Award (Essay/Travelogue); Dr. Satnam Singh Sandhu's book 'Shabadan de Chirag'; Bhai Veer Singh Award (Biography/Anthology/Dictionary); Prof. (Dr.) Paramjit Singh Dhingra's book 'Shabdo Vanjario'; Prince Teja Singh Award (Ed.) Sarabjit Singh Virak; To Advocate's book 'Sagittien Lichtan Shaheed Bhagat Singh'; Dr MS Randhawa Award (Knowledge Literature); To Paramjit Mann's book 'Sumandranama- Chhallan no Abarat'; Sri Guru Harikrishna Award (Children's Literature) to Jagjit Singh Ladda's book 'Pyara Bharat'; Prof. Gurdayal Singh Award (Translation); Teja Singh Tilak's book 'Occupation of Punjab; and to Maharaja Dalip Singh (Nand Kumar Dev Sharma); Dr Attar Singh Award (Criticism); Dr. Gursevak Lambi's book 'Bastiwad Uttar Bastiwad te Punjabi Natak (Criticism)' was provided.
For the year 2023, Giani Gurmukh Singh Musafir Award (Poetry) to Lakhwinder Johal's book 'Pani Hoy Vakhar', Nanak Singh Award (Novel) to Aziz Saroy's novel 'Pwade Lok', Gurbakhsh Singh Pritaldi Award (Essay/Travel Letter) to Baldev Singh Dhaliwal. Book 'Kanj-Kwari Dharti' (Journey to Puducherry and Andaman Islands), Bhai Veer Singh Award (Biography/Criticism/Dictionary) Rakesh Kumar's Book Krantikari Sher Jung: Shiran Varga Sher, Dr Attar Singh Award (Criticism) Dr Saravan Singh Pardesi's book Social Model of Sufi Movement (Dreams of Open Eyes), Prince Teja Singh Award (Ed.) Hardeep Kaur Bawa's book 'Na Nar Na Nari', Dr MS Randhawa Award (Gian Literature) Principal Dr. Inderjit Singh Vasu's book 'Gurmati Sampurna Jeevan da Marg', Sri Guru Harikrishna Award (Children's Literature) Simrat Sumaira's book 'Sunhri Pipa', Prof. Gurdayal Singh Award (Translation) Buta Singh Chauhan's book 'Chor Uchakke' (Laxman Gaikwad), Bhai Kanh Singh Nabha Award (Grammar/Linguistics/Hawala Grant) awarded to Nihal Singh Mann's book 'Gurbani Lipi Gughe Bhed'.
Under the best literary book awards related to the year 2022, Giani Gurmukh Singh Musafir Award (Poetry) to Vijay Vivek's book 'Chhin Bhangar Vi Kalateet Vi', Prince Sujan Singh Award (Story) to Arvinder Kaur Dhaliwal's book 'Jhanjaran Wale Par', Gurbakhsh Singh Pritladi Award (Essay/Travelogue) to Jagtarjit Singh's book 'Guru Nanak in Painting', Bhai Vir Singh Award (Biography/Commentary/Dictionary) to Navdeep Singh Gill's book 'Udna Baaz', Dr. Attar Singh Award (Criticism) to Dr. Manjit Kaur Azad's book 'World Culture Vs Local Culture', Principal Teja Singh Award (Editing) Dr JB Sekhon's book 'Chautha Pahar', Dr MS Randhawa Award (Knowledge Literature) Dr Vidwan Singh Soni's book 'Interesting Story' Earth-Amber Di', Sri Guru Harikrishna Award (Children's Literature) to Sudarshan Gaso's book 'Kinna Sohna Ambar Lagdai', Prof. Gurdayal Singh Award (Translation) to Bhajanbir Singh's book 'Moya Da Raah' and Ishwar Chandra Nanda (Drama) /solitary) provided only to Dhaliwal's book 'Gadi Chamkaur Di'. The Nanak Singh Award (Novel) of the year 2021 was given to Baldev Singh's book 'Suraj Kaidi Marda Nahin'.