The Faculty of Social Sciences and Languages at Desh Bhagat University organized a two-day International Punjabi Literature Conference in collaboration with Punjab Sahitya Akademi, Chandigarh, an affiliate of the Punjab Kala Parishad. The theme of the conference was “Samkali Punjabi Sahit De Sarokar.” The conference aimed to discuss and contemplate contemporary concerns as depicted in recent Punjabi literature. It was a gala event attended by renowned literary luminaries of Punjabi Literature such as Dr. Surjeet Pattar and Mr. Amarjit Singh Grewal on the campus of Desh Bhagat University.
In the inaugural session Dr. Zora Singh, Honourable Chancellor Desh Bhagat University formally inaugurated the conference. In his address, he welcomed the conference panellists and assured them that he would help them organise similar grand events in the future.Dr. Devinder Kumar, Director, Faculty of Social Sciences and Languages, formally welcomed DBU dignitaries and chief guest Dr. Surjeet Pattar and introduced the audience to other panellists like Dr. Sarabjeet Kaur Sohal, President Punjab Sahit Academy, Keynote Speaker Dr. Satish Kumar Verma, Professor Emeritus DBU, S. Jagroop Brar, MLA, British Columbia, Canada, Shri Madhav Kaushik, Vice President Sahitya Academy, and Dr. Rawail Singh, Secretary Punjab Sahit Academy. All the panellists deliberated on the issues and themes arising in contemporary Punjabi literature. A book entitled “Easy Way to Learn Punjabi,” written by Dr. Dharmnder Singh, coordinator of the Centre for Punjabi Language, Folklore, and Literature, was released in the inaugural session.
The inaugural session was followed by Technical Session I, where Dr. Raj Kumar Hans, Balbir Madhopuri, Dr. Manjinder Singh, Des Raj Kali, Dr. Gurmeet Kallr Majri, and Mr. Satpal Bhikhi were the panellists who discussed how current Punjabi writers are taking up issues of Dalits in their writings. In Technical Session II, which concentrated on female concerns in contemporary Punjabi writings, the panellists—Dr. Pal Kaur, Dr. Navjot Kaur, Dr. Sarabjit Sohal, Dr. Kuljeet Kaur, Surinder Neer, Artinder Sandhu, Nigat Sahiba, Satinder Kaur Kahlon, and Dr. Karamjit Kishanwal—deliberated how modern females are still victims in society and face issues of discrimination.
On second day, three technical sessions were planned back-to-back. The third technical session concentrated on diasporic concerns in contemporary Punjabi literature. The panellists of the session were S. Ajayab Singh Chathha, Shri S. Ashok Bhaira, S. Mota Singh Saraye, Dr. Yograj Angreesh, Surjeet Kaur Toranto, Dr. Parveen Kumar, Daljit Singh Gaidu, and Dr. Gursewak Lambi, who deliberated in detail about the thematic concerns of contemporary Punjabi diasporic literature. The IVth Technical Session, which was based on issues concerning farmer-related themes, had panellists like Dr. Sukhdev Singh Sirsa, Sukhdarshan Natt, Balwinder Grewal, Balbir Parwana, Dr. Kuldeep Singh, Jaspal Mankheda, Arvinder Kakra, & Dr. Kuldeep Singh Deep.
The panellists for the technical session were Shri. Varinder Walia, Dr. Lakhwinder Johal, Shri Kewal Dhaliwal, Dr. Sushil, Jasvir Ran, Professor Lakhvir Singh, Professor Gurdeep Singh, and Dr. Sandeep. This session deliberated upon contemporary communication models and their usage in the depiction of literature.
In the valedictory session, Dr. Zora Singh, honourable Chancellor of Desh Bhagat University, was the chief guest, and Dr. Tajinder Kaur, honourable Prochancellor, was the special guest of honor. A valedictory address was presented by S. Amarjit Singh Grewal, who discussed that a collaboration of nature, artificial intelligence, and man will pave the way for the future progress of the world. Dr. Sarabjit Kaur Sohal proposed thanks on behalf of Punjab Sahit Academy, and Dr. Dharminder summed up the conference and thanked everyone on behalf of Desh Bhagat University. Dr. Devinder Kumar, the director, congratulated the faculty members for their tireless efforts to make this historic event a grand success.
