Karnal, May 26: In today's fast-paced and stressful times, one must learn to laugh, for a smile is what makes life effortless and positive. This sentiment comes from Prem Sethi—a renowned humor poet and litterateur of the country—who, for nearly 55 years, has been bringing both laughter and meaningful messages to people through his literary writings and poetry recitations.
Having authored over 25 collections of poetry and satire, Prem Sethi first rose to prominence with his acclaimed satirical collection, *Hanuman Ji Ka TA Bill* (Hanuman Ji's TA Bill); subsequently, several of his satirical and poetic works became subjects of widespread discussion within the literary world. He has also made significant contributions toward giving a new identity to Punjabi literature, alongside his work in Hindi literature.
In an exclusive interview, Prem Sethi observed that people today tend to get stressed over trivial matters, whereas life ought to be lived with ease and humor. He remarked, "The joy found in living life with hearty laughter is simply incomparable to the misery of living a stifled existence."
Advising the youth and fellow litterateurs to cultivate a friendship with books, he emphasized that extensive reading and study are absolutely essential to becoming a good poet. He urged poets to uphold their dignity and strive to steer society in a positive direction.
Having served the banking sector for a considerable period, Prem Sethi retired from Punjab National Bank holding the position of Manager. He has also authored several books on banking-related subjects. For his remarkable contributions to the fields of literature and social service, he has been honored by numerous institutions across the country, including the Hindi Sahitya Akademi and the Punjabi Sahitya Akademi. Most recently, he was also conferred with the Hari Singh Smriti Award. Beyond the realm of literature, he demonstrated the versatility of his talent by acting in a Multani-language film. During the conversation, he also recited a few lines of his own poetry: "Where there is no water, there is no life;
There is no solution within this system.
In the battleground of these systems,
Only those who lack dishonesty and deceit are destined to lose." He said that humor is not merely entertainment, but also a powerful medium for holding up a mirror to society.