JAMMU: A two-day Punjabi writers seminar on the topic ‘Samkali Punjabi Sahit, Jammu-Kashmir’, organized by J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (JKAACL) commenced today at K L Saigal auditorium.
Principal Secretary of Culture, Suresh Kumar Gupta, was the chief guest on the occasion.
Secretary, JKAACL, Bharat Singh and former Additional Secretary, JKAACL, Dr Arvinder Singh Amn besides others were also present.
Ajit Singh Mastana, senior Punjabi writer and ghazal poet was the guest of honour at the function while Popinder Singh Paras, Senior Editor Sheeraza Punjabi, JKAACL shared the dais.
The programme organized under the guidance of Secretary JKAACL was attended by a large number of intellectuals, writers, poets, faculty students and scholars of Jammu University and colleges besides lovers of the Punjabi language.
The Principal Secretary appreciated the Academy for promoting local languages and the cultural legacy of the region besides encouraging the youth in this regard. He also appreciated the regular publication of Sheeraza Punjabi of JKAACL.
The Secretary said that the Academy is organizing literary, cultural and art events in different parts of the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir to provide a platform to young and senior artists. He added that the Academy has organized many such Punjabi literary programmes at district and tehsil levels in J&K.
He emphasized that the seniors should encourage the young generation to pursue art, culture and literary pursuits, so that the next generation is prepared to make their contribution in the field.
In his presidential address, S Ajit Singh Mastana appreciated the Academy for organizing literary activities of the Punjabi language at the tehsil and district levels. He also applauded the regular holding of Punjabi literary activities during the last two years.
During the first academic session of the seminar, three research papers were presented by Dr. Harbhajan Singh on the theme ‘Samkali Punjabi Kahani: Sarvekhan Te Mulaankan’, Dr. M P Singh on the theme ‘Jammu-Kashmir Vich Punjabi Bhasha Di Vartmaan Stitthi’, and Dr. Gurpreet Kour on the theme ‘Samkali Ate Jammu-Kashmir Di Punjabi Kavita Ik Jaiza’. Senior Punjabi writers including Khalid Hussain, S. Joginder Singh Paandhi and Dr. Monojit gave their impressions on the content of the papers presented and other aspects of the session.
During the second session of the day, Punjabi short story writers Khalid Hussain, Surinder Neer, R S Rajan, Dr Satwant Singh, Jasmeet Singh and Antarjit Kour presented their short stories. Veteran Punjabi writer Dr Baljit Singh Raina and Professor Rajkumar were present in the praesidium. They expressed their views on the short stories presented during the session and the other related aspects of the seminar.
The proceedings of the programme were conducted by Dr. Anuradh, Probhjot Kour and Amanpreet Kour while S. Popinder Singh, Senior Editor Sheeraza Punjabi presented a vote of thanks.
