Ludhiana, May 05, 2018: Eminent Punjabi poet and former president Punjabi Sahit Akademi Prof Gurbhajan Singh Gill was honoured with maiden Harbhajan Halwarvi Memorial Award during Comrade Ratan Singh Halwara Memorial International Literary function held at village Halwara, near here on Saturday.
The function was organised by Comrade Ratan Singh Halwara Memorial International Trust in association with Indoz Sahit Sabha Brisbane, Australia. Punjab Arts Council Chairman and eminent poet Dr Surjit Patar was the chief guest and the guest of honour was Sukhi Bath, the founder of Punjab Bhawan, Surrey,Canada.
On this occasion, Prof Gurbhajan Singh Gill’s latest book titled “Sandhoor Dani” was also released.
Spokesman of the trust and Australia based NRI Dalbir Singh Suman Halwarvi and Chief Organiser of the function Dr Nirmal Jaura informed that Prof Gurbhajan Singh Gill has been honoured with 1st Harbhajan Halwarvi Memorial Award for his contribution towards Punjabi language and culture.
The award comprises of a cash award of Rs 21,000, a citation and a shawl. The award ceremony was also attended by Harbhajan Halwarvi’s wife Dr Pritpal Kaur, younger brother Dr Navtej Singh and other family members.
While speaking about Prof Gurbhajan Singh Gill, poet Mrs Sukhwinder Amrit stated that he has always promoted Punjab, Punjabi and Punjabiat through his writings. She said that Prof Gill has not only contributed towards literature, but is also working for promoting Sports culture in different parts of the state.
Prof Gurbhajan Singh Gill has remained President of Punjabi Sahit Akademi Ludhiana for four years (2010-14). Besides, he is actively associated with Prof Mohan Singh Memorial Foundation, Kila Raipur Sports Surjit Sports Association Batala (Gurdaspur), besides several others. In the year 2016, he was awarded fellowship by Punjabi University Patiala and by Punjabi Sahit Akademi in 2018. He also played an instrumental role in the development of Punjab Bhawan in Surrey (Canada).
On this occasion, a Kavi Darbar was also organised at Guru Ram Das College for Education Halwara in which Dr Surjit Patar, Sukhwinder Amrit, Prof Ravinder Bhathal, Trailochan Lochi, Jaswant Zafar, Sulakhan Sarhaddi, Manjinder Dhanoa, Prof Gopal Singh Buttar, Dr Lakhwinder Johal and Bhagwan Dhillon.
UK-based NRI’s Tara Singh Alam and Ranjit Singh Rana, Amrik Singh Talwandi, Satish Gulati, Buta Singh Chauhan, Janmeja Singh Johl, Pritam Singh Bharowal, besides other poets participated.