Punjab gears up to promote Punjabi language

Punjab government today announced plans to promote Punjabi language at all levels, especially at the level of higher education, with an aim to restore the pride and prestige of Punjabi folklore, culture and heritage.
A meeting was today held under the chairmanship of state Chief Secretary Sarvesh Kaushal in which Registrar, Punjabi University, Patiala, was also present, to draft a blueprint in this regard, an official spokesman said.
In the meeting, the chief secretary reiterated the state government's resolve to implement Punjabi at every rank and file in the government offices, colleges, schools and other institutions and described the various initiatives undertaken to promote the language. However, he said, a lot more still needs to be done.

Registrar Davinder Singh said the university's language department has a collection of good books written in Punjabi by renowned scholars and authors to which Kaushal suggested that the university get the historical books digitized.
The option to make available the digital versions of these historical books on popular ecommerce portals should also be explored which will help Punjabi diaspora to be acquainted with the Punjabi culture, heritage and language, he said.
The chief secretary asked the university to improve the outreach of the varsity's language center to all colleges and schools of the state in coordination with Department of Higher Education and Department of School Education.

Kaushal also constituted a committee under the Secretary Higher Education to prepare an action plan of activities to be performed in the coming year to promote the language.
The committee will comprise Director Culture, Director Languages and Vice Chancellors of all government and private universities.