Punjab to promote Punjabi language

Punjab Chief Minister Capt. Amarinder Singh today reiterated his firm resolve to give due recognition and status to the Punjabi language but at the same time he also underscored the need to promote English as a link language to enable our youth to compete globally because English was the universally accepted language world over.

Presiding over the annual function of Wishav Warta, the first Punjabi news service, Capt. Singh said that his forefathers rendered a yeoman service for the promotion of the Punjabi language because Punjabi was introduced as an official language in the erstwhile Pepsu state by his grand father Maharaja Bhupinder Singh. Enunciating his humble initiative to promote the concept of Punjab, Punjabi and Punjabiat, Capt. Singh said that he attended the World Punjabi Conference at Lahore in 2003 at the invitation of Chairman World Punjabi Conference Fakkar Zaman and established World Punjabi Centre at Punjabi University Patiala and Punjab University Lahore to promote Punjabi language as a bridge to strengthen the age-old cultural ties between the Punjabis of Indian and Pakistani Punjab. He categorically said that he should not be misconstrued or misinterpreted for pleading the case of English language merely for political reasons rather he had all regards and respect for Punjabi language being our mother tongue.

Justifying the cause to promote English language, Capt. Singh said that China had recently employed the 2,40000 English speaking teachers to train their students to speak and write English from Class I. "It is all due to their visionary approach to capture the world market and the knowledge of English language was pertinent to achieve this goal", said Capt. Singh. He said that in the changed scenario with the WTO world has become a global village and our youth could be versatile only if they had adequate knowledge of English language.

Capt. Singh further urged the journalists to do objective reporting and should develop a self mechanism to sift between the element of truth and negative factor highlighted by the politicians just to gain cheap popularity thereby giving a backward push to the developmental activities in the State. He categorically said that print media had a major role to play in this aspect because it had an element of permanence and deep impact on the minds of the readers as compared to electronic media because visuals last only for few seconds and unable to register long lasting impression on the minds of the viewers. To substantiate his statement, he cited the example of Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), how the opposition had blown this issue out of proportion. "Here comes the role of media to project the case before readers in true perspective without an element of subjectivity", said Capt. Singh.

Capt. Singh exhorted the media persons to discharge their duties with a sense of professional commitment, dedication, devotion and sincerity because they owe a moral responsibility towards the general masses in sensitizing them for their rights and duties.

On the occasion Capt. Singh announced to extend the facility of free bus travel to the recognized correspondents on the pattern of accredited ones. He also announced to set up a committee for the organization of state level workshop-cum-interaction programme at Chandigarh to apprise the field journalists working in the different part of the state with the latest developments in the field of journalism and mass communication. He also authorized the committee to make recommendations for the promotion and development of Punjabi language. He assured the journalists that he would direct the district administration to extend full cooperation and support to them and also promised to honour the Veteran journalists in the state for their outstanding services in the field of journalism.

On the occasion, Capt. Singh along with Deputy Chief Minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal and Advisor BIS Chahal released the souvenir of Wishav Warta.

Earlier, in his welcome address Director Wishav Warta Davinderjit Singh Darshi highlighted the demands of the working journalists in the field and urged the state Government to allot land for the press clubs at the district headquarters at the earliest. He also demanded to rationalize and simplify the procedure of accreditation.

In his keynote address, former Assistant Editor Punjabi Tribune Karamjit Singh appreciated the services of Wishav Warta and its growing popularity within a span of just one year. He impressed upon the Government to extend financial help to this first Punjabi news agency to make its functioning more efficacious and result oriented.

On the occasion, Capt. Singh honoured Punjab Tribune Editor Shingara Singh Bhullar, Editor Akali Patrika Ratnesh Singh Sodhi, Editor Chardi Kala Jagjit Singh Dardi, Editor Aaj Di Awaz Gurdip Singh, Acting Editor Aaj Di Awaz Baljit Singh Brar, Editor Nawan Zamana Jagjit Singh Anand, Editor Apna Punjab New York Gurmit Singh, Editor Daily Ranjit Gurcharan Singh Mani, Chairman Punjab Today J.K.Jain besides many journalists from the field, desk and the staff of Wishav Warta.

Prominent amongst others who were present on the occasion included Local Government Minister Ch.Jagjit Singh, Health & family Welfare Minister Ramesh Dogra, Revenue Minister Amarjit Singh Samra, Finance Minister Surinder Singla, Director Information & Public Relations B.S.Sudan, Director Wishav Warta Harpreet Singh besides many MLAs and Congress leaders.