Chandigarh, November 10:- Punjabi Writers' Association organized a literary festival dedicated to the memory of the founder of the association, Tera Singh Chan, at Punjab Kala Bhawan. Exhibitions and presentations related to literature, art and culture in the festival delighted the visitors in large numbers.
Chief guest Gurpreet Ghuggi said that literature makes us creative and a house with books itself remains comfortable. Dr. Sukhdev Singh Sirsa described Tera Singh Chan's literary contribution as unique. Dr. Sarabjit Singh called his organizational work inspiring. Surjit Singh Dhir described the association as one that will achieve new achievements by following in the footsteps of Chan ji. Swaranjit Swai, Darshan Buttar, Deepak Sharma Chanarthal and Bhupinder Singh Malik also appreciated the contribution of Chan ji.
A booklet containing history and annual activities was released by the Sabha. Punjabi Sahitya Akademi Ludhiana released ‘Tera Singh Chan Siryan Te Sangram’. Books by Suresh Kumar, Dr. Deepa and Avi Sandhu were also launched.
Eminent folk artist Balkar Sidhu was honored with the Tera Singh Chan Memorial Award (cash, medal and letter). Mandeep Singh, Dildar Singh, Nitasha and Dr. Amir Sultana attended from the Chan family and Mandeep shared his memories related to Chan ji.
Audience members Usha Kanwar and Surinder Kumar were given cash prizes and medals by Balwinder Singh Uttam. Former office bearers Gulzar Singh Sandhu, Dr. Deepak Manmohan Singh, Dr. Labh Singh Khiva, Dr. Shinderpal Singh, Dr. Swaraj Sandhu, Dr. Gurmail Singh and Sham Singh Ang were honored.
The assembly passed four resolutions. Sukhwinder Singh Sidhu presented a motion on making Punjabi the administrative language of Chandigarh. Manjit Kaur Meet presented a motion on fully implementing the Punjabi language law in Punjab. Dr. Avtar Singh Patang presented a motion on saving Panjab University through a joint struggle and Gurnam Kanwar presented a motion on condemning attacks on freedom of expression.
Dolly Singh, along with Gurwinder Lovely, Rajinder Singh and Karam Chand, presented a folk song mehfil. Cultural exhibitions, book exhibitions, painting and calligraphy were the center of attraction. Personalities who contributed to the success of the fair were honored. Pal Ajnabi proposed the vote of thanks.
The audience present included B.N. Sharma, Malkiat Rauni, Shivinder Mahal, Bharat Bhushan Verma, Paramjit Pallu, Pammi Sidhu Sandhu, Jang Bahadur Goyal, Captain Narinder Singh, Jasbir Bhullar, S.K. Aggarwal, J.S. Khushdil, Jagtar Bhullar, Navdeep Gill, Deepti Babuta, Avtar Singh Pal, Gurdev Pal, Paramjit Param, Harbans Sodhi, Amrao Singh Gill, Surjit Kaur Bains, Malkiat Basra, Shayar Bhatti, Simarjit Grewal, Anu Sharma, Rohan Sharma, Navneet Matharu, Narinder Nasreen, Shamsheel Singh Sodhi, Ajit Hamdard, Gurjodh Kaur, Labh Singh Lehli and Harminder Kalra etc. were included.