Punjabi month celebrations organized by Punjabi Language Department to promote Punjabi language started with an impressive event at Bhasha Bhawan here today.

While Minister of Health and Family Welfare Dr Balbir Singh was the chief guest, Jaswant Singh Zafar, Director, Punjab Language Department, also presided over the event.

Speaking at the meeting, the Minister of Health stated that Bhasha Bhawan, which is currently occupied by a different government department, will be returned to literature lovers.

He highlighted Prime Minister Bhagwant Mann’s personal interest in promoting the Punjabi language and ensured that the government continued to support these efforts.

He said that despite advances in digital technology, books will always remain a fundamental part of human life and culture.

Encouraging parents to develop a love of reading in children, Dr. Balbir Singh also promised to resolve the personnel and technical issues of the department immediately. NCC announced that its office would be moved from the Language Department building to a new location.

The inaugural ceremony also included the distribution of the Best Punjabi Literary Book Awards from 2021 to 2024, where 30 distinguished writers were honored. Special guests in attendance included Pawan Harchandpuri, president of Central Punjab Writers Association; Atam Randhawa, president of Punjab Sahitya Academy, Chandigarh; and Sarabjit Singh, president of Punjabi Sahitya Academy in Ludhiana.

Dr Balbir Singh inaugurated a book exhibition and hoisted the flag marking the beginning of the month-long Punjab Month activities. The emotional performance of Sufi singers Anujot Kaur and Bikram Sangha captivated the audience and added to the cultural ambiance of the event.

Two publications were also launched during the ceremony: Dr Surjit Patar’s special edition of the Language Department’s Punjabi Duniya magazine and a research book titled Machhiwara Sahib by Raghveer Bharat.

In his speech, Director Jaswant Singh Zafar outlined the ongoing efforts, achievements and challenges faced by the Language Department.

He also noted that the ministry is struggling with a shortage of technical personnel and other resources.