Youth continued to energize various political movements: Vice Chancellor Dr. Mehal Singh
AMRITSAR: The ‘10th Literary Festival and Book Fair’ at the autonomous institution historic Khalsa College concluded today leaving unforgettable memories. The inaugural session of the fifth day of the said fair, organized under the leadership of College Principal Dr. Atam Singh Randhawa and with the support of Punjabi Department Head Dr. Parminder Singh and the entire Punjabi Department, began with the interpretation of the verse of Gurbani ‘Ghali Khai Kichhu Hathhu Dei’.
The function was inaugurated by Principal Dr. Randhawa, Dr. Parminder Singh, College Registrar Dr. Davinder Singh, Dean Academic Affairs Dr. Taminder Singh Bhatia and Dean Student Welfare Dr. Daljit Singh welcomed the guests by presenting them with the college’s badge and a bouquet of flowers.
Dr. Varinder Bhalla and Mrs. Ratna Bhalla USA were the chief guests and Mr. Surinder Singh, Additional Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Amritsar were the special guests. Apart from this, Dr. Davinder Singh Chhina, Member of Khalsa College Governing Council and Convener of Khalsa Global Alumni Association, who was present, highlighted the glorious history of Khalsa College and its very influential alumni and shed light on the educational and cultural activities of the college.
At the beginning of the event, under the title of ‘Ghali Khai Kichhu Hathhu Dei’, Dr. Varinder Bhalla USA remembered his late father and said that he is making efforts to keep his father’s memory, leadership, guidance, rituals and works alive. He said that he went to USA in 1969 for higher education. His father helped the needy students who were blind. Under this tradition, he started organizing an eye camp under Chaman Lal Bhalla Lane in Chheharte Amritsar. Under this series, he started giving scholarships under Chaman Lal Bhalla Scholarship to students who have made a name for themselves in various fields. These scholarships are given to students who excel in sports, music and other fields. At this time, scholarships were given to students affected by floods. He said that the students who received the scholarships should continue this series and reach higher positions and help other needy students.
He also said that students should contribute to it so that this scholarship can become a movement.
After this, Ratna Bhalla USA thanked Principal Dr. Randhawa and said that he gave us the opportunity to maintain the tradition of our father. At present, he is helping the students who have passed away due to eyesight. He recalled his mother Agyavati Bhalla's inspiration to help the people affected by the Delhi floods. He said that this spirit of our family is an effort to keep alive the memory of father Chaman Lal Bhalla ji and his philosophy. After this, scholarships were distributed to students who have achieved fame in various fields in different departments. Student Najuk thanked the Bhalla family on behalf of all the students.
In the second session of the event, a panel discussion was organized under 'Punjabi Youth and Theatre'. Playwright Mr. Jagdish Sachdeva shared his life experiences with the audience. He said that education is very important for students. It is necessary for a student to have some spark of art. There is a need to highlight the creative feelings of students. Art acts as a shield. Education in life provides employment. But it is also necessary to have a combination of art, art also provides employment. If art is embraced, the world will welcome arts. It is necessary to make art a part of life.
After this, Kewal Dhaliwal presented his views and said that the youth create theatre and take it forward. Earlier, theatre was not taught but now theatre has become a part of college education as a subject. Theatre makes a person responsible. Theatre is the work of responsible people who are responsible towards the society. How to address the issues of the society is the work of theatre. Theatre tells how to make life worth living. He talks about giving a definite order to Punjabi theatre. He says that theatre gives self-confidence and order to life. According to him, theatre can be done only by a person who has something burning inside. The traditions of theatre have to be carried forward by the younger generation. The actor of the play should be educated and experienced.
In his presidential speech, Nirmal Jaura gave a message to the youth to refresh their minds by getting involved in any literary genre, be it a novel, story, poem or play.
He said that Punjabi playwrights, Dr. Atamjit, Pali Bhupinder, Gursharan Bhaji were informed about the contribution of Punjabi theatre to the audience. At the end, he asked the youth to focus on directing the play and working on the script. Dr. Parminder Singh, Head of Punjabi Department, thanked the guests who came.
The third session of the event was conducted by Dr. Hira Singh. On this occasion, Onkar Singh Teje Project Incharge, Rajwinder Kaur District President Amritsar, Nirmaljit Kaur District President Tarn-Taran attended. After this, the school students presented a poetry recitation. After the presentation, to motivate the students and instill literary consciousness in them, they were honored with medals and books.
In the farewell ceremony of the event, on the topic of ‘Farmer and Book’, Khalsa University Vice Chancellor Dr. Mehal Singh informed the students about the history and great contribution of Sikh heritage. He reminded them of the rich tradition of the Punjabi nation.