Patiala, 20 August 2025 Fact Recorder
Punjab Desk: Under the guidance of the Punjab Government, the Language Department Punjab, led by Director Mr. Jaswant Singh Zafar, organized a poetry symposium titled “For the First Time.” The event was presided over by eminent poet and thinker Prof. Ravinder Bhathal. Renowned ghazal writer and novelist Boota Singh Chauhan attended as the Chief Guest, while poet and translator Dr. Amarjit Konke graced the event as Special Guest. More than a dozen poets made the symposium memorable with their poetic recitations in diverse forms.
In his welcome address, Director Mr. Jaswant Singh Zafar introduced the presiding panel and poets and highlighted their literary contributions. He noted that many poets were given an opportunity to perform for the first time on the stage of the Language Department, while some were reciting their poetry in a symposium for the very first time. He emphasized that the department always strives to encourage emerging writers and honor established litterateurs.
Engineer Narinder Sharma opened the symposium with his poem “Through hard work, life finds its way” sung in tune, setting a joyous tone for the event dedicated to the monsoon season. Amarjit Kask presented his philosophical poem “Doors of the Body.” Poetess Raman Virk beautifully depicted the emotional dimensions of husband-wife relationships in her verses. Prominent poet Surjit Judge recited his poem “With the touch of my feet, fields grow grain” portraying the struggles of rural life, and in another poem “If you worship stones instead of flowers, apocalypse is bound to come” he stressed environmental conservation. Harvinder from Chandigarh too expressed environmental concerns with his poems “Fear” and “Deserted Punjab.”
Anu Bala from Anandpur Sahib satirized social structures through her poem “While expressing thirst, I fear water.” Lawyer Sanu Mehmi from Phillaur highlighted the decline of communal harmony in her poem “The State of the City.” Nakash Chittewani from Jalandhar shared his long poem “ण” touching upon various aspects of society, while Shyam Sargundi from Phillaur presented “O Monsoon, bring joy and happiness to our homes” with satirical references to current religious, social, and political issues. Dr. Amanpreet Kaur Kang infused music into the atmosphere with her poetic songs “The month of Sawan seeks you with longing eyes” and “Mother, put me on a swing.”
Special Guest Dr. Amarjit Konke in his poem “Sawan is only for those with a roof over their heads” reflected the plight of laborers and working-class people, while his second poem “Barren Land” expressed concern over Punjab’s environment. Chief Guest Boota Singh Chauhan recited two ghazals and verses reflecting different stages of life, while also appreciating the innovative initiatives of the Language Department. Presiding poet Prof. Ravinder Bhathal shared his poem “What do you know of the joy of girls playing Kikli” highlighting women’s aspirations, and another poem portraying the subtle emotions of a poet.
In the end, Deputy Director Ms. Chandandeep Kaur extended thanks to all. The department honored all participating poets with shawls. Stage conduction was done by Research Officer Dr. Sukhdarshan Singh Chahil. Among the attendees were Additional Director Ms. Harpreet Kaur, Deputy Director Ms. Harbhajan Kaur, Assistant Director Amarinder Singh, Surinder Kaur, Davinder Kaur, Rabia, poets Navdeep Mundi, Gurvinder Aman, theatre artist Rajesh Sharma, poets Kamaljit Nazm and Kamal Sekhon, along with a large gathering of literature enthusiasts.
Photo Caption: Poets participating in the symposium “For the First Time” with Language Department Punjab Director Jaswant Singh Zafar, Prof. Ravinder Bhathal, Boota Singh Chauhan, and Dr. Amarjit Konke.
