PLEA CELEBRATED THE 7TH ANNUAL MOTHER LANGUAGE DAY
Harpreet Sekha

On February 15th, the Punjabi Language Education Association (PLEA) celebrated its 7th International Mother Language Day at the Haweli Restaurant in Surrey. The uniqueness of this year’s program was the participation of the Pakistani Punjabi community. Many students learning Punjabi in school also participated in this function.

On behalf of PLEA, Sadhu Binning welcomed those present and then spoke of the evolution of mother language and PLEA’s goals. He said that students who learn Punjabi at school with their other subjects instead of outside of school, connect to the language at a different level. This is the reason why PLEA continues to promote the teaching and learning of Punjabi in as many schools as possible. Mr. Binning emphasized that Punjabi should also be given the status of a Canadian language. He said that Punjabi writers in Canada are stuck between being thought of as foreign writers by writers in Punjab as well as writers of a foreign language in Canada.

Sukhwant Hundal invited the panel from the Pakistani community to come to the stage. The participants were Dr. Saif Khalid, Mohammed Rafiq, Nighat Shahnaz, Fauzia Rafiq, and Ghulam Mujtaba. Mohammed Rafiq suggested that joint functions should be held in the future. Fauzia Rafiq said that dividing Punjabi into two scripts was the plot of the English. She said that we should learn both scripts. Dr. Saif Khalid said that we should find the root of the problem first and then only can a solution be found. He further stated that the literature and art of all nations are the same. Nighat Shahinaz said that Punjabi language has not been encouraged in Pakistan. Ghulam Mujtaba said that he disagree with the opinion that the script was divided because of a ploy by the English. He reasoned that the English only continued the use of the Farsi language following Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

Several audience members also participated in this discussion. Afzal Malik said that in Canada, Punjabi language is synonymous with the Sikh community. Prabsharanjit Singh said that when we are asking for the rights of Punjabi then we are also talking of the enriching the culture of Canada. Vishavjit Singh said that there should be a greater push to teach Punjabi at the university level in order to increase its development. Shahzad said that Indian Punjabis should act as elder brothers and accept the Shahmukhi script as well. Dr. Raghbir Singh said that Punjabis from both Punjabs are not proud of the mother language. Sohan Pooni said that Punjabi language belongs neither to Sikhs nor Muslims, rather it belongs to Punjabis. He replied to Ghulam Mujtaba’s remarks that the ploy of the English to divide can still be seen today. Pritam Singh Aulakh said that the problem of script has been solved by the computer. Surinder Kaur said Punjabi is in more danger from our own community. Dr. Sadhu Singh offered his own services towards the issue of script. Fauzia Manaan’s opinion was that Pakistani Punjabis are not proud of their mother language and use it only for the purpose of swearing. Many speakers believed that language should not be made a servant of religion. Sukhwant Hundal concluded this discussion by suggesting that there be further discussions of this sort in the future for the development of Punjabi.

Sadhu Binning displayed and discussed some recent anthologies in which there are writings by writers from both Punjabs. He informed that organizations such as Punjabi Sath are bringing both Punjabs together by publishing these types of books. Aman Taggar with a slide show discussed the lack of signs in Punjabi in front of local Punjabi stores and businesses. He appealed that these signs should also be in Punjabi.

In the next part of the program, young Punjabi learners expressed their love of the Punjabi language through poetry, songs and speeches. Aman Taggar ran this part of the program. Participants were Vugeesh Sekha, Vuneet Sekha, Prabhjot Sekha, Arshpreet Grewal, Harmanjeet Grewal, Japnoor Grewal, Raja Insaanveer Singh, Raja Sanmaanveer Singh, Seema Rani, Sabrina, Gagandeep Sidhu, Harshleen Bhuttar, Arshbir Bhuttar, Jaspreet, Brandon, Manpreet Matharu, Simarjot, Vijay, Gurita, Harleen Kaur Dhami, and Balraj. Sabrina charmed the hearts of the listeners by singing a song in a beautiful voice to Ravi Binning’s dhol. Saajan Singh Maan and his children presented songs warning Punjabis not to forget their language. Gian Anjan Academy students entertained with their riveting instruments and songs, poems, and speeches. PLEA encouraged the students by presenting them with certificates, T-shirts and pens.

In conclusion, Sadhu Binning thanked the media, Haweli Restaurant and also the PLEA volunteers Raminderjit Dhami, Sukhi Bains, Paul Binning, Dr. Anne Murphy, Bobby Sidhu, and Priya Binning. PLEA’s president Balwant Sanghera and member Ranbir Johal could not attend the function due to being on trips to India.

Translated from Punjabi by Preet Hundial