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·      PUNJAB LOK MANCH-PUNJAB JAGRITI MANCH ORGANISED EVENT TO FURTHER STRENGTHEN PUNJABI LANGUAGE

·      HONOURS HIGHER EDUCATION & LANGUAGES MINISTER PARGAT SINGH WITH ‘PUNJAB DA MAAN’ AWARD

JALANDHAR, NOVEMBER 27: Punjab Higher Education and Languages Minister Pargat Singh on Saturday said that Punjab Government is fully committed to bring Punjab State Language Commission and Library Act. Soon, there will be a positive outcome in this regard as the Stat Government was working sincerely on these issues.

          While addressing at an event in local Lyallpur Khalsa College being organized by the Punjab Lok Manch and Punjab Jagriti Manch to intensify efforts for further betterment of Punjabi language, the Minister said that the discussions had already been going on regarding library act. On receiving draft of the said act from the office bearers of Punjab Lok Manch and Punjab Jagriti Manch, the Minister apprised them that State Government was already taking suggestions from all stakeholders including writers, intellectuals, renowned literary personalities so that an effective act could be brought out besides incorporating significant views/suggestions from this draft.

          Describing ‘education as real development’, Pargat Singh mentioned that the development of society, state and country is depended upon the level of education being imparted to the youngsters. He called upon all the stakeholders to ensure their contribution in building healthy society by ensuring quality education. Punjab has already been facing several critical problems since long, said the Minister adding that by imparting quality education to coming generations various issues could be addressed. He said that unified efforts are needed to further boost our mother tongue, education system and cultural significance.

Referring to two crucial bills passed in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, the Minister said that 'Punjabi and Other Languages Education (Amendment) Bill, 2021' and 'Punjab State Language (Amendment) Bill-2021' would safeguard the interest of Punjabi language. He said that these bills would ensure Punjabi as a compulsory subject for all students from class I to X in schools across the state besides making it mandatory for officers/employees to conduct all official business in Punjabi language. In case of any violation of these bills at any stage, stipulated fine will be imposed, he added.

          The organizers of the event also honoured the Minister with ‘Punjab Da Maan’ award for his exemplary steps to promote mother tongue. After receiving the award, the Minister said that such awards make us more responsible towards duties for the betterment of education, sports sectors as well as promotion of Punjabi languages. The Minister also announced a grant of Rs. 2 lakh for the Punjab Lok Manch-Punjab Jagriti Manch to carry forward the endeavours for Punjabi language. He also handed over cheque of Rs. 1 lakh given to him by the organizers along with award and asked them to utilize this amount too for their ongoing initiatives.

World renowned Punjabi writer Surjit Patar, President Punjab Jagriti Manch Satnam Manak also spoke on the occasion. They expressed their views on the efforts being made by the State Government to further give a fillip to Punjabi language in schools and offices. Surjit Patar was honoured with ‘Apni Awaz Puraskar-2021’ while poetess Surinder Gill Jaipal was awarded with ‘Kav Lok Puraskar-2020’. District Language Officers of different districts were given away ‘Mat Bhasha Sewa Puraskar’.

          Earlier, Principal of Lyallpur Khalsa College Dr. Gurpinder Singh Samra welcomed all the dignitaries while Chairman of Punjab Lok Manch Lakhwinder Singh Johal, President Punjab Lok Manch Surinder Singh Sunnar, Dr. Kamlesh Duggal, Prof. Gopal Singh Buttar, Secretary Deepak Sharma Chanarthal  etc were present on the occasion.