Photo Source: Babushahi Bureau

Non-Punjabi students from India and abroad visiting Chandigarh University to study Punjabi language, Gurmukhi script and philosophy of Sikh Gurus

Chandigarh University’s efforts to save Punjab, Punjabi and Punjabiyat are commendable: Ontario Friends Club Canada Chairman Ravinder Singh Kang

Babushahi Bureau

Mohali (Punjab), November 27, 2024: Guru Nanak Chair for Studies in Universal Advancement at Chandigarh University organised the 9th World Punjabi Conference, themed 'Historical and Modern Prospects: The Role of Punjabis in Promoting the Welfare of Humanity', in collaboration with Ontario Friends Club, Canada on Wednesday. 

While Ravinder Singh Kang, Chairman Ontario Friends Club, Canada, attended the Conference as chief guest, the other dignitaries who attended the one-day event included Harpal Singh Pannu, Chairperson of Guru Nanak Chair of Chandigarh University, President of Ontario Friends Club, Canada Gian Singh Kang, Harpal Singh Gill, Director (Punjabi) Haryana Sahitya Academy, Vice Chancellor of Chandigarh University Mohali Manpreet Singh Manna, Prof Vice Chancellor Davinder Singh Sidhu and Joint Director of Higher Education Department, Haryana, Sukhwinder Singh.

The Conference started with Rasbhinna Kirtan by the students of Chandigarh University, who enthralled the congregation with their kirtan. 

On his address, the chief guest, Ravinder Singh Kang, Chairman Ontario Friends Club, Canada said, “I would like to thank everyone and say that today's conference is a great effort to save Punjabi and Punjabiyat. Nowadays, people are getting separated from their language and their heritage, which is not a very good thing. People should connect with their heritage and such conferences are for those people only. Connecting for Punjabiyat also becomes important because Punjabi language has a very beautiful history and it is our heritage. Gurmukhi (Punjabi script) has become so important in today's time that when you want to talk about Punjabiyat, you have to write in Punjabi. We all should study Punjabi and exchange each other's language with people."

Talking about the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji, Kang said, "Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji's martyrdom was for the protection of Hindu religion and that is why he is also called Hind ki Chadar (Shield of India). If Guru Sahib had not been there, Aurangzeb would have turned everyone into Mughals. Whenever there is talk of any sacrifice for the protection of religion, the first thing we will remember is the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji."

Director Guru Nanak Chair for Studies in Universal and Advancement Chairperson Harpal Singh Pannu said, “Chandigarh University is a very big academic institution and there are a large number of students and faculty members from other states besides Punjab. If they get this message, they will discuss it outside the university and they will also have the proof of this. Therefore, we have organized this conference through the Ontario Friends Club, Canada, through the Guru Nanak Chair for Studies in Universal Advancement,”.

Pannu said in the history of the world, Gurmukhi script is the only script that has its own history.

“If we talk about any other script, then there is no history of where it started. Like when were the scripts of Persian, Urdu, Parsi and Sanskrit written? Sri Guru Angad Dev Ji invented Gurmukhi script under the supervision of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. We are proud of this. Guru Nanak Chair was established in Chandigarh University five years ago. Sikh Studies is also taught here.  Eighty five  per cent of students in Chandigarh University are not Punjabi. We are happy that today non-Punjabis are also coming to study our language. They are coming to learn Gurmukhi and to learn the philosophy of the Gurus,” he added.

President of Ontario Friends Club, Canada Gian Singh Gill said the efforts being made in Chandigarh University to spread Punjabi mother tongue is commendable. 

“If we forget our mother tongue, then all academic institutions will remain barren. We have reached this point only by speaking Punjabi, so it is our duty to put Punjab on the path of progress. In the last few years, many of our Punjabis have left India and settled abroad. There has also been a huge shortage of students studying in many universities of Punjab. I am happy to see such an atmosphere. Sikhism respects every religion. Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji has sacrificed his life for the good of all. Punjabis seek the good of everyone, even if they do not have to make any sacrifice. During the time of Covid-19, our Punjabis served by providing langar to the needy in the country and abroad,” he added.

Harpal Singh Gill, Director (Punjabi) Haryana Sahitya Academy, said the Conference was an enriching experience for all participants. “This Conference today had the role of Punjabis in promoting the welfare of humanity' as its theme and Guru Nanak Dev ji has given us three fundamental principles of life — Kirat Karo (work hard), Naam Japo (meditate on the Lord, sing His name) and Vand Chhako (share before you consume). When it comes to Vand Chhako it does not mean just mean sharing food with the community but also it also means how much we spare for others from our earnings. It relates to all aspects of life including economic, culture, religious and political aspects. So by following the pasth shown by Guru Nanak Dev ji, the Chandigarh University has established the On Guru Nanak Chair for Studies in Universal Advancement which is a matter of great joy..,”

During the Conference, two panel discussions were also held. In the first panel discussion, the roles of Punjabis for the welfare of humanity were discussed and the service rendered by Punjabis during Covid-19 was appreciated.The second panel discussion was held on the Sikh history and the teachings, objectives and philosophy of the Gurus.

During the Conference, 10 research papers were also presented by the faculty members, out of which four were presented by the Ontario Friends Club, Canada and six by the researchers of Chandigarh University.

On this occasion, Dr., a member of Ontario Friends Club, Satinderjit Kaur Buttar was honored for her best research paper and the other researchers were also honored with certificates for their research papers.

Ends