J S Gandam
India Post News Service
PHAGWARA: On the eve of the 24th edition of International Mother Language Day (IMLD), Punjabi writers and well-wishers of Punjabi language took out a ‘Maa Boli Chetna March’ here, in order to spread awareness on promoting, preserving and taking pride, in Punjab’s mother tongue – Punjabi.
The UNESCO-approved IMLD is celebrated globally, every year on 21st February for promotion and preservation of multi-lingualism and social diversity.
In Phagwara, Aam Aadmi Party leader and former Punjab minister Joginder Singh Mann, religious personality Sant Gurbachan Singh Pandwa, US-based NRI and social activist Pindu Johal and writer NS Shergill flagged-off the March outside Blood Bank office.
Joined by a large number of literary, social, religious, cultural activists, citizens, political leaders and students, the march passed through various bazars including Central town, Gandhi Chowk, Gud Mandi, Sarafan Bazaar, Railway Road and concluded at Town Hall.
Participants sported banners and placards with catchy pro-Punjabi slogans such as ‘Maa boli je bhul jaoge, Kakhan wangu rul jaoge’ (If you forget your mother tongue, you are lost like chaff).
Addressing the gathering, Punjabi writers, including Prof Jaswant Singh Gandam, Gurmit Palahi, SL Virdi, Ravinder Chot, Ashok Mehra, Taranjit Singh Kinra (Rimpy),Parwinderjit Singh, Smt Banso Devi demanded setting up of Punjab State Language Commission with legal teeth for ensuring implementation of Punjabi at all levels. All agreed the Commission should have legal/statutory authority for initiating punitive action against those who did not implement Punjabi.
They praised the initiative of CJI DY Chandrachud in hitherto getting 3,132 judgments of Supreme Court translated in all 22 scheduled languages of the country, including Punjabi.
Speakers demanded such initiative should also be taken in High, District and Sub-divisional level courts.They also appreciated efforts of Punjab Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan for holding parleys with officials and Punjabi writers,to discuss and devise ways and means to promote Punjabi.
Phagwara Sub-divisional Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) cum, municipal Corporation Commissioner, Dr Nayan Jassal, asked for writing sign boards of various businesses and other professions in Punjabi language.
Shiv Sena party stalwarts Rajesh Palta and Inderjit Karwal, religious leaders Sant Hardev Singh Namdhari,Satbir Singh Sabhi, Devinder Kultham, Press Club President Haripal Singh, AAP leader Harmesh Pathak, Congress leaders Gurjit Walia, Tajinder Bawa, Bunty Walia, industrialist Ajit Singh Walia, journalists Gurmit Singh Rattu,Jaswinder Singh Bhagatpur and Ashwani Dasaur also joined the march.
Punjabi Sahit and Kala Kendra, Sangeet Darpan magazine and Punjabi Virsa Trust jointly organized the march. Organizers including Taranjit Singh Kinra, Prof Jaswant Singh Gandam, Shiv Sena party leaders Rajesh Palta and Inderjit Karwal, Model Town Gurdwara President Satbir Singh Sabhi and GS Malwai also attended.
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