Patiala, November 14 - The Language Department of Punjab had recently decided to display the portraits of eminent stars of Punjabi literature, language and thought in Punjab Bhawan located in Delhi. As the first installment, 10 portraits were displayed today in the verandas and galleries of A-Block of Punjab Bhawan.
The entrance floor was adorned with portraits of the founder of modern Punjabi literature Bhai Vir Singh and world-renowned Punjabi writer Amrita Pritam. On the first floor, portraits of three eminent Punjabi poets Shiv Kumar Batalvi, Avtar Pash and Surjit Patar were displayed near the Chief Minister's office.
On the second floor, portraits of the father of Punjabi drama Ishwar Chandra Nanda and the Shahjahan of Punjabi art Dr. Mahendra Singh Randhawa were displayed. On the third floor, portraits of progressive poets Bawa Balwant, Lal Singh Dil and the poet Firozuddin Sharaf, the poet of Punjabi language, have been displayed.
On this auspicious occasion, Director of Language Department Punjab Jaswant Singh Zafar said that in the coming time, the pictures of a total of about 100 late Punjabi poets, writers, thinkers and language workers will be installed on all floors of both blocks of Punjab Bhawan. He said that with the exhibition of books published by the Language Department in the Deodhi of Punjab Bhawan, the trend of readers at the book sales center at the local office of the department has increased significantly and the sale of books has increased significantly.
On this occasion, Resident Commissioner Mrs. Shruti Singh said that art works reflecting the soul of Punjab will also be displayed inside the rooms of Punjab Bhawan. Just as the Language Department has taken the initiative in installing these pictures, they will also take the services of Punjab Kala Parishad. He also said that the work of maintaining and improving the appearance of the Punjabi Literature Center located at Punjab Bhawan will be done on priority basis.
On this occasion, Assistant Director of the Language Department Punjab, Alok Chawla, and the in-charge of the local office of the department, Karuna, and Deputy Resident Commissioner, Asita Sharma, were also present.