Ratia, March 9:- The Lok Chetna Manch, Haryana, organized a discussion and felicitation ceremony at the Sahitya Chetna Library in Ratia, focusing on the short story collection *Dilon Ki Saanjh* (The Communion of Hearts) by Sahitya Akademi Award winner Dr. Naib Singh Mander.
On this occasion, Sant Baba Gyani Inderjit Singh attended as the Chief Guest and Honored Personality, while the ceremony was presided over by the Manch's President, Captain Gurmukh Singh Bhullar.
Serving as the keynote speaker, Assistant Professor Kuldeep Singh Pandher presented his research paper on the short story collection *Dilon Ki Saanjh*. He stated that all the stories included in the collection are imbued with universal concerns and effectively articulate the sentiments of the common people. He noted that while Dr. Mander is active as an author, thinker, and literary critic, his original writing style—characterized by artistic craftsmanship—weaves real-life societal events into its narratives. Through this approach, his work gives voice to the sentiments of the downtrodden and marginalized sections of society, thereby exposing the human condition—encompassing both joys and sorrows—as well as the tormented state of the human psyche.
Contributing his thoughts to the discussion, the Manch's General Secretary and renowned artist, Krishna Singh Panwar, remarked that he designed the book's cover only after conducting an in-depth study of all the stories within it. He observed that, through this collection, Dr. Mander has successfully endeavored to bind people of all religious faiths together, much like beads strung together to form a garland of unity.
Indeed, all these short stories truly express the "communion of hearts" among people. During the felicitation ceremony held on this occasion, the internationally renowned *Katha Vachak* (religious storyteller) Sant Baba Gyani Inderjit Singh was honored with a memento, a citation, and a traditional shawl (*Loi*) as part of the 'Bapu Gurbachan Singh Khalsa Award for Punjabi Heritage Service.'
Presenting the citation, the organization's President, Dr. Naib Singh Mander, remarked that Gyani Inderjit Singh has rendered immense service over the past 50 years—spanning Canada, the USA, England, and India—by working as a *Katha Vachak* to disseminate the teachings of *Gurbani* and Sikh history to the masses.
Speaking at the ceremony, Amandeep Singh (Canada) discussed Dr. Naib Singh Mander's short stories, noting that humanity is currently grappling with various challenges on a global scale; Dr. Mander's work, he observed, articulates the inner anguish associated with these problems through profound reflection, expressed in a very simple and accessible vernacular.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Happy Singh Sethi delivered the vote of thanks. Prominent figures and members of the *Lok Chetna Manch*—including Thanedar Sher Singh Khokhar, Sukhdev Singh Sidhu, Paramjit Singh (JCB), Mani Singh, Beant Kaur Mander, and Mata Baldev Kaur—were present on this occasion.