Ambala, December 31:- National President of Rashtriya Punjabi Mahasabha Ashok Mehta said that if Punjabis abandon their mother tongue, they will also be deprived of their rich Punjabi heritage. Mr. Mehta was talking to this journalist after presiding over an event late yesterday evening.
Mr. Mehta said that in 2010, his organization had issued a notification of Punjabi as the second language in Haryana from the then Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda. He said that of course, Punjabi was given the status of second language in Haryana before this, but no notification was issued in this regard, which was done during the Hooda government.
He said that after this notification, now anyone can write their letter in Punjabi for any office or other government work and the reply will also be given in Punjabi. Punjabis of Haryana should write their letters in Punjabi for official work. He also said that earlier the name plates of ministers in the secretariat were only in Hindi and Ne, but now Punjabi is also displayed on these plaques.
He said that the names of the stations at railway stations should be written in Punjabi along with Hindi and English and for this his organization is trying. If Punjabi (Gurmukhi) is seen written everywhere, then the prestige and promotion of Punjabi mother tongue will increase. Mr. Mehta said that apart from Haryana, his organization is also trying to give due place to Punjabi language in other states.
Mr. Mehta said that Sehajdhari Sikhs believe in Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Sri Guru Granth Sahib is our greatest heritage. If our new generation does not know Punjabi (Gurmukhi), then one can imagine the great danger to Punjabiyat. He said that if we want to keep our traditions, culture, customs and especially Punjabiyat alive, then every Punjabi should speak Punjabi at home and especially with children, and should learn to read and write.
The National President said that the sacrifices made by Punjabis for the independence of the country and the suffering they have endured are unparalleled in the world. He said that during the great partition, they came from West Punjab (Pakistan) to East Punjab (Hindustan) because they had only one country, India and religion in front of them. There was no other greed, but unfortunately, no government has valued the sacrifices of Punjabis and Punjabis have not extended their hands to anyone, but have made progress due to their hard work and dedication.
Mr. Mehta said that on January 9, he is organizing a big event in Ambala city and on January 12, he is celebrating Lohri for girls at the state level in Shahabad.