Panjab University celebrates International Mother Tongue Day with poetic fervour
Scholars and Poets Converge at PU to Honor Mother Tongue; Call to Link Punjabi with Employment
Mother Tongue is the Foundation of Identity: Swarnjit Savi at Panjab University
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, February 20, 2026: To mark the celebration of Mother Tongue Day, the Punjabi Literary Society, School of Punjabi Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh organized a lecture and Kavi Darbar on 20th February 2026.
The program featured a special lecture by noted poet Swarnjit Savi along with poetic presentations by students from various departments, showcasing the richness and emotional depth of their mother tongue.Former Police Chief G. S. Aujla graced the occasion as the special guest.
The program began with welcome remarks by the department’s Chairperson, Prof. Yog Raj. He warmly welcomed the keynote speaker and the student poets who had come from various departments, and shared his thoughts on the importance of the mother tongue.
He said that it is a matter of pride for the Punjabi language that today it has become the ninth largest language in the world. At the global level, there are approximately 310 million Punjabi speakers across different countries.
At the same time, he expressed concern that Punjabi has not yet secured its rightful place in the fields of employment and administration.
Main speaker Swarnjit Savi, in his lecture, stressed that a mother tongue is the foundation of personal identity and cultural belonging. He encouraged students to express their thoughts and emotions through poetry and creative writing in their native language. He also highlighted the role of young writers in keeping literature relevant by addressing contemporary social issues through their works.
As the special guest, former Punjab Police Chief G.S. Aujla congratulated the students on presenting beautiful poems and emphasized the need for them to recognize the strength and power of their mother tongue.
The main attraction of the program was the Kavi Darbar in which students from various departments recited their poems in Hindi and Punjabi. These poems offered heartfelt expressions of social concerns, cultural values, and personal experiences.
Dr. Parmjeet Kaur Sidhu, faculty in-charge of the Punjabi Literary Society and Associate Professor of the department, thanked the student poets and the keynote speaker for participating in the program and congratulated the Punjabi Literary Society on organizing the event. Sharing her views on the cultural, intellectual, and emotional significance of the mother tongue, she said that language is not merely a means of communication, but also a carrier of our cultural identity and social values.
The stage was conducted by Daya Singh, President of the Punjabi Sahit Sabha, who ensured the smooth flow of the program and kept the audience engaged throughout the session.
At the end of the program, certificates were distributed to all participating students in appreciation of their contributions. A memento was also presented to the guest speaker, Swarnjit Savi, as a token of gratitude.
Punjabi short story writer Harpreet Channu, Punjabi poet Kamaljeet, Prof. Dr. Akvinder Kaur Tanvi, Dr. Pawan Kumar, Ravi Kumar, and Jaspal Singh from the department, along with research scholars and a large number of students, were present at the event.
The event concluded on a note of pride and inspiration, reaffirming the importance of nurturing and celebrating one’s mother tongue.