Ludhiana ( Gurvinder sidhu)
The 47th Prof. Mohan Singh Memorial International Cultural Festival concluded this year with simplicity and reverence as floral tributes were offered at the statue of Prof. Mohan Singh near Punjabi Bhavan. The festival, held annually to mark the birth anniversary of the legendary poet, was initiated decades ago by Late S. Jagdev Singh Jassowal in memory of his close friend, Prof. Mohan Singh.
In view of the recent floods across the state and the unfortunate demise of Punjab’s eminent folk artists Dr. Jaswinder Bhalla and Rajvir Jawanda, all other programs associated with the festival had been cancelled earlier. The chief guest for the occasion was Ashok Parashar Pappi, MLA from Ludhiana (Central), who, in the presence of Foundation members and other dignitaries, laid floral garlands at the poet’s statue.
Among those present were Foundation Patrons Pargat Singh Grewal and Krishan Kumar Bawa, President Rajeev Kumar Lovely, Chairman Gurnam Singh Dhaliwal, Advisor Dr. Jagtar Singh Dhiman (Pro Vice Chancellor, Guru Kashi University), Dr. Nirmal Jaura (Director, Students’ Welfare, PAU), Amrinder Singh Jassowal, Master Karamjit Lalton, Mohi Amarjit, Amarjit Sherpuri, Principal Manisha Gaba (AVM Public Senior Secondary School), Madam Jaswant Kaur, Vandana Sood, Kuldeep Kaur, Tarnjeet Kaur, Sharanpreet Kaur, Rita Monga, Poonam Gill, Jaswant Kaur, Mandeep Kaur Bhawnra, and Dr. Gurcharan Kochar, among others.
Addressing the gathering, President Rajeev Kumar Lovely and Chairman Gurnam Singh Dhaliwal said that, in light of the recent floods and the loss of Punjab’s beloved folk artists, this year’s 47th Prof. Mohan Singh Memorial International Cultural Festival was observed in a simple yet heartfelt manner by offering floral tributes and remembering the poet’s immense contributions. They also urged that the statue of Prof. Mohan Singh be reinstalled at Aarti Chowk on the Ludhiana–Ferozepur Road, a request fully supported by MLA Ashok Parashar Pappi.
Speaking on the occasion, MLA Pappi said that Prof. Mohan Singh’s contribution to Punjabi language and culture can never be forgotten. He assured that the demand to reinstall the statue at Aarti Chowk would be fulfilled and emphasized that the Punjab Government is consistently working to promote Punjabi art, literature, and culture.
Dr. Nirmal Jaura and Krishan Kumar Bawa recalled that this festival has continued even during challenging times, including the years of militancy in Punjab. They noted that Late S. Jagdev Singh Jassowal, the doyen of Punjabi Culture, had started this festival to honour his dear friend Prof. Mohan Singh, adding that next year, the festival will once again be celebrated with its traditional cultural programs and full vibrancy.
Dr. Jagtar Singh Dhiman shed light on the life and literary legacy of Prof. Mohan Singh, mentioning that he has also translated several of the poet’s selected works into English which will be released in due course.
The staff of AVM Public Senior Secondary School also paid their respectful tributes to Prof. Mohan Singh through heartfelt poetry recitations.
Leave a Reply