Transcripted and published in Shahmukhi, Gurbhajan Gill’s poetry books “Khair Panjan Panian Di” and “Surtal” released by luminary intellectuals Dr. Ishtiaq Ahmed and Dr.S.S.Johal in presence of other prominent writers.
Ludhiana 3 June
Punjabi poet Gurbhajan Gill’s two poetry books “Khair Panjan Paniyan Di” and “Surtal” which are published in Shahmukhi were released by a Sweden-based world-famous scholar Dr. Ishtiaq Ahmed in the presence of a prominent economist Dr. S. S. Johal, Dr. S. P. Singh, Dr. Surjit Patar and Dr. Lakhwinder Singh Johal at Punjab Studies Centre at GGNIMT Ludhiana .
Introducing these poetry books, the convener of Punjab Study Center, Dr. Mandeep Kaur Randhawa said that these two books, Surtal and Khair Panjan Pani have got the honor of being published simultaneously in India and Pakistan. Books have been translated and given decorative touch in Shahmukhi script by the famous poet Muhammad Asif Raza who lives in Sheikhupura (Pakistan).
On this occasion, Dr. Ishtiaq Ahmed said that to strengthen Indo-Pak relations, literature printed in Gurmukhi should be translated in Shahmukhi and similarl the books printed in Shahmukhi should be available in Gurmukhi to the readers on both sides.
Dr. S. S Johal while giving his blessings for the Shahmukhi format of both the books said that our writers should also learn Persian script. Urdu studies are conducted by the language department in the whole of Punjab which should be taken advantage of.
Gurbhajan Gill said that his three poetry books ‘Raavi, Surtal and Khair Panja Paania Di’ have been published in Shahmukhi so far.On June 10, at Lahore with the courtesy of Punjabi literary fraternity including Baba Najmi, Afzal Sahir, Ali Usman Bajwa, Amjad Salim Minhas and Asif Raza at Punjab Institute of Language and Culture-PILAK will have interactive discussions on the book ‘Khair Panja Paania Di’ .
Prof. Gurbhajan Gill assured Dr. Ishtiaq Ahmed that he would help publish at least one book in Gurmukhi annually through Punjabi Lok Virast Academy. Even now, the work of translating in Gurmukhi the poetry of famous Pakistani poet Jafar Iqbal is on.
On this occasion, Dr. S. P. Singh, former Vice Chancellor of Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar and President Gujran Wala Guru Nanak Educational Council, Dr. Surjit Patar, Chairman, Punjab Kala Parishad, Dr. Lakhwinder Singh Johal, President, Punjabi Sahit Academy, Ludhiana congratulated Gurbhajan Gill.
Winding up the event, Prof. Manjit Singh Chhabra, Director GGNIMT. formally thanked everyone . Other luminaries present on the occasion were Dr. DR Bhatti, former DGP Punjab, Dr. Amarjit Singh Hayer, Punjabi poet Prof. Ravinder Bhathal( former president, Punjabi Sahit Academy, Ludhiana) Dr. Gurikbal Singh, General Secretary, Punjabi Sahit Academy, Prof. Jagmohan, a nephew of Shaheed Azam, Bhagat Singh. Singh, famous thinker and dramatist Amarjit Grewal, poet and painter Swaranjit Sawi, Dr. Gulzar Pandher ,the editor Nazria, Mandeep Kaur Bhamra ,the editor Par Hit, Balkaur Singh Gill, Dr. Balwinder Singh Aulakh Galaxy, Dr. Sarjit Singh Gill former director PAU, Balram playwriter from Patiala, Rajdeep Singh Toor, Mr. Gurpreet Singh Toor, Harish Maudgill, Harsharan Singh Narula General Secretary College Management Committee, DM Singh, Dr. Charanjit Kaur Dhanju, Dr. Satinderpal Singh Sangha Former Dean Guru Angad Dev Veterinary University, Dr. Ajaim Singh PAU, Dr. Amarjit Singh Bhullar Canada, Brij Bhushan Goyal, Dr. Gurritpal Singh Brar USA, Prof. Jagjit Kaur, Jagdishpal Singh Grewal Sarpanch Village Dad, Dr. Tejinder Kaur, Dr. Gurpreet Singh, Dr. Dalip Singh, Rajinder Singh Sandhu, Surinderdeep Kaur, Prof. Sharanjit Kaur, member of Gujranwala Khalsa Educational Council S .Kuljit Singh and faculty members of the institutes running under the council also attended the function.