Punjab Education department has decided to organize month-long programmes to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Punjabi Suba before the commencement of festivities on November 1 by the state government.
Punjab Education Minister Daljit Singh Cheema, while presiding over a high level meeting summoned to chalk out strategy for the celebrations at the Punjab School Education Board auditorium, said that the celebrations would be held from mid-September to mid-October.
“The purpose behind these celebrations is to sensitize the young generation about glorious cultural heritage of Punjab,” he said adding that a logo and theme would soon be released regarding these festivities.
Cheema said that the functions would be held from block to state level including curricular, extra co-curricular, traditional and folk sports competitions amongst the students centered on Punjabi Suba.
During the celebrations, Punjabi language, literature, cultural heritage, moral values, folk dances, folk songs, folk instruments and traditional sports of Punjab would form an integral part, he said.
In traditional sports, kotla chhapaki, rumal chukna, rassi tappna, pitthoo garam, peecho stapu, kikli events would be held. He also informed that chaste Punjabi speaking competitions would be the center of attraction, he said.
Cheema said that
events pertaining to poetry recitation, painting, essay, waar gayan, kawishri would be held too.
“During the functions, a booklet to be published by the Punjab School Education Board chronicling the history of Punjabi Suba would also be released which would be made part of the libraries in order to make the next generation aware of the history of the state,” said Cheema.
The Minister said that a Punjabi portal is in the offing to make Punjabi diaspora settled abroad learn their mother tongue. One aspect of this exercise is to enable NRI Punjabis to receive instruction in Punjabi course sitting at home as well as take exam, he said.
The Education Minister also revealed that during the course of celebrations, an exhibition depicting Punjabi culture and traditions would also be held in which Kainthe, Chhajj, Jhanjran, Tavitian, Saggi-Phull, Parandas, Phulkaris, Ukhli-Sote, Bharoley, Khes, Doley, Chataiyaan, Cooch, Panja Hatthiyan, Durriyan, Rath, Gadde, Thokran, Halatt, Tindan, Pairs of Oxes, Pakkhiyan, Naale, Bharoli, Sanglian, Panjalian, Charkhe would be showcased to the children so as to ensure that they are connected with the rich heritage of Punjab.
“Students would also be taken to tour the historical sites of the state,” he said while adding that an organizing committee has been constituted under the Principal Secretary, Education, G Vajralingam for the smooth conduct of celebrations.
Apart from this, a sub-committee has been formed concerning every aspect which has been given the time-frame of one week to formulate the roadmap regarding the celebrations.