THEME - ‘Mother Language and Literature: Various Concerns’
Int’l Mother Language Day celebrated with literary zeal at Ferozepur
FEROZEPUR, February 22, 2026: The Language Department organized a grand seminar to celebrate International Mother Language Day, in accordance with the directives of the Director, Language Department Punjab, at DAV College for Women, Ferozepur Cantonment. The event brought together eminent scholars, poets, and artists to deliberate on the theme: ‘Mother Language and Literature: Various Concerns.’
The keynote address was delivered by eminent thinker and poet Harmeet Vidyarthi, who emphasized that language is far more than a mere tool for communication; it is the primary vessel for human emotion and identity. Drawing a compelling parallel to Rasul Hamzatov’s world-renowned book ‘Mera Dagestan’, Vidyarthi discussed the practical importance of the mother tongue in shaping human life. This was further expanded upon by researcher Surinder Kamboj, who traced the historical evolution of the Punjabi language while highlighting its contemporary economic and social relevance, specifically noting the growing employment opportunities within the field.
Adding to the intellectual depth of the session, noted essayist Narinder Singh spoke on the collective ownership of language, asserting that it belongs to the community as a whole rather than any single individual.
The academic discourse was elegantly balanced by cultural performances from renowned singers Tarsem Armaan and Kamal Dravid, whose soulful rendition of Sufi and literary music left the audience spellbound.
In his presiding remarks, translator and poet Prof. Jaspal Ghai utilized the linguistic theories of Saussure—specifically the concepts of Langue and Parole—to simplify the relationship between speech and language for the students, while also praising the ongoing efforts to promote Punjabi in Pakistan.
District Language Officer Dr. Jagdeep Singh Sandhu welcomed the guests by reflecting on the historical sacrifices made for linguistic rights, particularly the martyrs of Bangladesh. He stressed that in the modern era, preserving the uniqueness of mother tongues is the only way to maintain a nation’s distinct identity.
Principal Dr. Seema Arora lauded the Language Department’s initiative, noting that such programs are vital at a time when students are increasingly drifting away from their native roots. She thanked the organizers for bringing such a meaningful dialogue to the college campus.
The event, which was seamlessly moderated by Dr. Amritpal Kaur, also featured a specialized book exhibition organized by Vinod Kumar and Cell Incharge Chetan Kumar. The exhibition drew significant interest from the academic community. The seminar concluded with the honouring of distinguished guests with publications from the Language Department, Punjab, in the presence of social worker Harish Kumar, litterateurs Om Prakash Saroy and Sukhdev Bhatti, and the dedicated staff and students of DAV College.