NEW DELHI: Heading forward to execute its decision taken recently, The Punjab Language Department has initiated the installation of photos of renowned Punjabi literary writers at Punjab Bhawan, New Delhi. In the first phase, 10 photos were unveiled today in the verandahs and galleries of Block A of the Bhawan.
The entrance floor features photos of Bhai Vir Singh, the founder of modern Punjabi literature, and celebrated Punjabi writer Amrita Pritam.
The first floor, near the Chief Minister's office, showcases photos of three prominent Punjabi poets namely Shiv Kumar Batalvi, Pash, and Surjit Patar.
Similarly, the second floor features photos of Ishwar Chander Nanda, the father of Punjabi theater, and Dr. Mohinder Singh Randhawa, known for his pioneering work for Punjabi art and culture.
Lastly, the third floor displays photos of progressive poets Bawa Balwant, Lal Singh Dil, and Firoz Din Sharaf.
Director of the Language Department Punjab, Jaswant Singh Zafar informed that approximately 100 photos of prominent Punjabi poets, writers, thinkers, and language experts will be installed on all floors of both A and B blocks of Punjab Bhavan in the near future.
He also said that with the exhibition and sale of books by the department inside the Punjab Bhawan Premises, the literary people and readers has showed positive response and an increase in the sale of books has also been witnessed.
Resident Commissioner, Punjab Bhawan, Shruti Singh said that more plans are in the pipeline to display Punjab's cultural essence through art pieces inside rooms of the Bhawan. She said that they will also seek assistance from the Punjab Arts Council in the same manner as the Punjab Language Department has taken initiative to display these photographs. Resident Commissioner also revealed that to maintain and renovate the Punjabi Sahit Kendar of Language Department, Punjab will be considered on priority basis.
On this occasion, Assistant Director of the Language Department Alok Chawla, Deputy Resident Commissioner, Asita Sharma, Local Office incharge Karuna were also present.