BATALA: The Shiv Kumar Batalvi Sabhyacharak Kendar in Batala today came alive with the commencement of the month long poetry and declamation contests during a State level function dedicated to the 89th Birth Annniversary of the late poet. Gracing the occasion was the Forests and Wildlife Preservation, Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Minister Mr. Lal Chand Kataruchak who announced Rs. 10 Lakh for the refurbishment and development of the Shiv Kumar Batalvi auditorium.
The Minister was accompanied by the Deputy Commissioner Gurdaspur Dalvinderjit Singh, SSP Batala Suhail Qasim Mir, Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Dr. Harjinder Singh Bedi, Brother of Batala MLA Amansher Singh Sherry Kalsi – Amrit Kalsi and Rajiv Batalvi.
Calling Shiv Kumar Batalvi the pride of Batala who became a force to reckon with by the dint of his endless artistic prowess, Mr. Lal Chand Kataruchak said that the late poet enriched Mother Tongue Punjabi with such soul stirring and immensely beautiful literary creations which would echo in the minds of the people till eternity.
On the occasion, Poetry, declamation and Singing competitions were held. In Sufi Singing category Rajinder Singh (Class Xth) Government High School Gillanwali got the First position while Surinder Singh of Class XIIth Government Senior Secondary School Jaitosarja attained Second and Bhaman, a student of Class XIth at Government Senior Secondary School Rangar Nangal came Third.
In Poetry Recitation, Jasmeet Kaur a student of 10th Class at P.S. Government Senior Secondary School Dhupsari came 1st, Simranjit Kaur a studying in Class 12th at School of Eminence Batala came 2nd while Gurneet Kaur studying in Class IXth at R.D. Khosla Senior Secondary School, Batala got 3rd rank.
In the Declamation Category, Harmanpreet Singh of 12th standard at Government Senior Secondary School Tek Singh came on top, Safalpreet Kaur a student of Class Xth at R.D. Khosla Senior Secondary School, Batala got the 2nd rank while the 3rd rank was attained by Gurinder Kaur, studying in Class XIth at School of Eminence, at Batala.