Indo-Pak trade be restored immediately and common heritage of Punjabiyat be promoted in both the nations says Ishtiaq Ahmed,a Swedish scholar .
Ludhiana 12-04-20224
In an interactive session under the theme “Ludhiana to Lahore -A peep into divided Punjab” arranged by Punjabi Sahitya Academy, Ludhiana, the key note speaker Mr. Ishtiaq Ahmed Professor Emeritus of Political Science from Stockholm University Sweden spoke candidly for better ties between India & Pakistan. After introducing the visiting professor, the general Secretary of academy, Dr. Gulzar Singh Pandher welcomed him and his wife amongst other impressive gathering at Punjabi Bhawan. Dr.Amarjit Singh Hayer while presiding over the session said that Mr Ishtiaq Ahmed studied politics at Stockholm University in Sweden and he had been also Honorary Senior Fellow of Studies at the National University of Singapore.
Mr. Ishtiaq Ahmed said that Punjabis have a different and a proud identity and a common heritage but have been separated by the circumstances at the time of partition by the narrow thinking of some political leaders with whom Britishers colluded with. His mind always aches for Punjabiyat. Answering the questions from the audience, he said that Ludhiana and Lahore had close relations. Sahir Ludhianvi went to Pakistan and returned within a year after seeing the extreme fundamentalist leanings of their rulers. Similarly many other prominent other Muslims too came back to live in India. Due to the partition of Pakistan and India, we are suffering till today, he said. People at large want peace and good relations. Ishtiaq Ahmed wanted that the borders of Punjab should be opened for passenger and commercial traffic immediately. People should not be deprived of seeing their old heritage places also.
One of the prominent scholars who also spoke was Professor Dr. Surjit Singh of Patiala who said that there is human sharing between the two Punjabs. Dr. Hari Singh Jachak, Office Secretary and Jasveer Jhaj earlier welcomed Mr. Ishtiaq Ahmed with a bouquet of flowers. He was also presented with some books. On the occasion, Mr. Randhir Kanwal sang a Ghajal of Sahir Ludhiana. Other who attended were . Gurpreet Singh Toor, Deep Jagdeep Singh, Ramesh Kaushal, R. K. Goyal, Balwinder Singh Galaxy.
Other writers and authors who were present were : Surinder Kaile, Dr. Gurikbal Singh, Sahajpreet Singh Mangat, Janmeja Singh Johal, Karamjit Singh Grewal, Amarjit Singh Grewal,Swaranjit Svi, Satish Gulati, Ram Singh, Dr. Gurcharan Kaur Kochhar, Inderjitpal Kaur, Mandeep Kaur Bhamra, Surinder Deep, Kulwinder Kaur Kiran, Bhagwan Dhillon Malakiat Singh Aulakh, Paramjit Kaur Mahek, Deep Ludhianvi, Amritbir Kaur, Anil Fatihgarjattan, Surjit Singh Lambra, Balkaur Singh Gill, Hardeep Ladhar, Meet Anmol, Ravi Ravinder, Sarabjit Singh Virdi and Gurpreet Kaur
Later,speaking to reply of another question by Brij Bhushan Goyal for finding ways to strengthen civil society in both the countries , Mr Ahmad said that Punjabi language spoken as well as written is the common link which should be promoted and all well-meaning persons should engage themselves positively using social media platforms by building bridges of commonality. In the end the visiting professor sang one of Sahir’s compositions in his melodious voice which was appreciated by all. Ishtiaq Ahmed said being fan of Sahir Ludhianvi he also named his eldest son as Sahir.