AMRITSAR: The well-acclaimed national-level Amritsar Literary Festival and Book Fair-2022 will kick start on March 5 at historic and picturesque Khalsa College campus. To be inaugurated by His Excellency Governor Punjab Banwarilal Purohit, the festival-cum-fair will offer rare books, talks, debates and cultural bonanza.
This was informed today during the press briefing by the officials from Khalsa College and National Book Trust (MBT), Ministry of Education, Government of India. They said the nine-day-long literacy festival will continue till March 13 and apart from the exhibition of lakhs of books, cultural programs, flower shows, workshops and literary activities including seminars and discussions would be major attractions.
NBT Mayank Surolia said they were happy to collaborate with the historic Khalsa College to organize the festival which will witness arrivals of over 100 publishers from all over the country to exhibit their books in diverse fields in various Indian languages. NBT Chairman honourable Prof.Govind Prahshad Sharma and Yuvraj Malik, Director, NBT will also be coming as special guests for the inauguration of the festival.
Surolia said National Book Trust (NBT) is a national body of the Union Ministry of Education and the aim of the festival is to inculcate the habit of reading and generating interest amongst the younger generation towards books. “The festival is whole bonanza of exhibition of the books, releasing of the new books, holding talks, seminars and intellectual interactions”, said Surolia.
Dr. Atam Randhawa, Head of Punjabi Department said that every possible effort is being made to make the fair a success and interesting for the large participation. “There is tremendous response from publishers, organizations connected with Punjabi language and culture. All possible facilities would be provided to the publishers arriving with their books and we expect book lovers coming in large number”, said Dr.Randhawa.
The authorities said the students from various schools and colleges would also be coming for the participation. Flower shows, organic food stalls and science exhibitions will be the special attraction of this fair. They said the Punjab Kala Parishad, Chandigarh, Punjab Sangeet Natak Academy, Chandigarh are also extending their cooperation to organize the fair.
Dr. Surjit Patar, Chairperson, Punjab Arts Council, Chandigarh, Dr. Yograj, Vice Chairman of Punjab Arts Council, Chandigarh, Dr. Lakhwinder Johal, Secretary General, Kewal Dhaliwal President of Punjab Sangeet Natak Academy, will be the special invitees. Principal Dr. Mehal Singh will deliver the welcome address while Dr. Atam Singh Randhawa, Head of Punjabi Department will say vote of thanks. The 16th edition of Literary Research Magazine “Sanwaad” and the book “Punjab-Search of a Better Future” will be released during the inaugural function A poetry function `Sukhan De Suraj’ will be organized, which will be presided over by Dr. Patar and Dr. Lakhwinder Johal will be the chief guest and Dr. Satish Kumar Verma will be in-charge of the said function. The famous poets including Sarabjit Sohal, Gurbhajan Gill, Vijay Vivek, Swaranjit Savi, Jaswant Jaffar, Darshan Buttar, Gurtej Koharwala, Harmeet Vidyarthi, Satish Gulati, Gurpreet Mansa, Swami Antar Nirav, Jagwinder Jodha, Sushil Dosanjh, Jagdeep Sidhu, Wahid and Tanveer will perform during the in the poetry recitals.
There will be cultural programs in which students of the cultural department of the college will perform Jhoomar, folk poetry, Suhaag and Ghodian. He said that for those who love Khalsa College and Punjabi culture sitting at home and abroad, the sections of Fairs and programs will be aired live on KCGC TV and Facebook page the Festival. Editor, NBT, Navjot Kaur, KCGC Deputy Director, Public Relations, DS Rataul were present.