Deep-deep discussions on the topic of ‘Partition of Punjab and Punjabi mentality’ at Literature and Book Fair
AMRITSAR: The second day of the 10th Amritsar Literature and Book Fair began with discussions on the topic of Punjabi mentality by various scholars and a gathering of poets who had come from different parts of Punjab.
At the beginning of the event, the Principal of the college, Dr. Atam Singh Randhawa, welcomed the prominent personalities who had come to this event with great honor.
After this, the Head of the Punjabi Department, Dr. Parminder Singh, while sharing information about the event, said that today’s program is divided into four parts.
In the morning, after a discussion by renowned scholars on the various aspects of the division of Punjab and the mentality of Punjabis, poetry of various poets will be presented in the afternoon.
In the afternoon, Gurpreet Singh Bathinda will participate as a guest in the live painting program. In the evening, a performance of folk instruments will be presented by the students of the college under the theme of folk songs.
In the first session of the event, a panel discussion was held on the topic of ‘Punjab Division and Punjabi Mindset’, which was chaired by the Vice Chancellor of Khalsa University, Dr. Mehal Singh. In his presidential address, he recalled the difficult moments of the partition of Santali and shared its painful and emotional moments with the audience. He said that every person affected by the partition of Santali is a story. After the partition of Santali, the geographical bases of its political division have also caused a great deal of damage to its literary field. The mentality of Punjabis includes both destructive and constructive tendencies. Presenting the example of Guru Nanak Dev Ji's principle of solidarity, he inspired and said that the basis of our culture should be mutual understanding and cooperation, rising above caste differences.
After this, Dr. Kulvir Gozra, Head of the Punjabi Department of Panjab University, Delhi, former I. P. S. S. Gurpreet Singh Toor and Sanwal Dhami, Head of the Punjabi Department of Government College Hoshiarpur, had a deep discussion on the effects and causes of the partition of Santali and identified the reasons behind it.
Presenting his views at this time, Sanwal Dhami said that while examining the partition of Santali, many aspects emerge. Many people affected by the partition openly tell the incidents that happened, but many people remain silent due to fear or resentment. The emotional feelings of the events of partition still shake the heart.
Gurpreet Singh also shared with the audience the problems faced during his profession due to the events of partition. He said that if examined, various aspects of the partition emerge before us. Punjabis share many aspects from which it is clear that they never thought or imagined such a partition. The various aspects of the impact of the partition shake our mentality.
Dr. Kulvir Gozra, while presenting his views, said that this unexpected partition did not happen between any external invaders or any enemy, but rather our own people brutally killed and displaced their own people. Even today, Punjabis shudder to remember such a terrifying atmosphere. At the end of the panel discussion, the book ‘A few meetings about the fury of Santali’ edited by Gurpreet Singh Toor was released.
In the afternoon, the Kavi Darbar organized by the Language Department was presided over by renowned poet Ajaib Hundal and the Language Officer of the event was Dr. Sukhdarshan Chahal. Poets like Ravinder Sehra, Ambarish, Darshan Buttar, Dr. Ravinder Batala, Biba Balwant, Prof. Kulwant Aujla, Jagwinder Jodha, Davinder Saifi, Suhinderbir, Vishal, Piara Singh Kuddowal, Atinder Sandhu, Jaspreet Ludhiana, Ritu Vasudev, Simrat Gagan etc. presented their poetry in the event. After this, Director of Language Department, Punjab, S. Jaswant Zafar thanked the poets and chief guests for coming. After this, Ravinder Sehra's book 'Lahore Naal Galan', Ekwak Singh Bhatti's 'Wah Ustad Wah', Lovepreet Singh Virk's 'Jaani Door Gaye' were released. In the afternoon, live painting guest artist Gurpreet Singh Bathinda was honored by Kuldeep Singh Dhillon by welcoming him. At the top of the event, while performing folk tunes, the college students enlivened the event with a beautiful presentation of folk instruments, Dhad and Sarangi.