Shiv Kumar Batalvi, pride of Batala: Lal Chand Kataruchak
· Every district to see plantation of 3.50 lakh saplings in commemoration of 350th martyrdom day of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji: Forest & Wildlife Preservation Minister
· Soulful creations of Shiv Kumar Batalvi to keep him alive in people’s minds
· School students showcase their talent in Declamation, Poetry & Sufi Singing categories
Chandigarh/Batala, July 23:
The Shiv Kumar Batalvi Sabhyacharak Kendar in Batala today came alive with the commencement of the month long poetry and declamation contests during a State level function dedicated to the 89th Birth Annniversary of the late poet. Gracing the occasion was the Forests and Wildlife Preservation, Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Minister Mr. Lal Chand Kataruchak who announced Rs. 10 Lakh for the refurbishment and development of the Shiv Kumar Batalvi auditorium. The Minister was accompanied by the Deputy Commissioner Gurdaspur Dalvinderjit Singh, SSP Batala Suhail Qasim Mir, Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Dr. Harjinder Singh Bedi, Brother of Batala MLA and State Executive President AAP Punjab Amansher Singh Sherry Kalsi – Amrit Kalsi and Rajiv Batalvi.
Calling Shiv Kumar Batalvi the pride of Batala who became a force to reckon with by the dint of his endless artistic prowess, Mr. Lal Chand Kataruchak said that the late poet enriched Mother Tongue Punjabi with such soul stirring and immensely beautiful literary creations which would echo in the minds of the people till eternity.
On the occasion, Poetry, declamation and Singing competitions were held. In Sufi Singing category Rajinder Singh (Class Xth) Government High School Gillanwali got the First position while Surinder Singh of Class XIIth Government Senior Secondary School Jaitosarja attained Second and Bhaman, a student of Class XIth at Government Senior Secondary School Rangar Nangal came Third.
In Poetry Recitation, Jasmeet Kaur a student of 10th Class at P.S. Government Senior Secondary School Dhupsari came 1st, Simranjit Kaur a studying in Class 12th at School of Eminence Batala came 2nd while Gurneet Kaur studying in Class IXth at R.D. Khosla Senior Secondary School, Batala got 3rd rank.
In the Declamation Category, Harmanpreet Singh of 12th standard at Government Senior Secondary School Tek Singh came on top, Safalpreet Kaur a student of Class Xth at R.D. Khosla Senior Secondary School, Batala got the 2nd rank while the 3rd rank was attained by Gurinder Kaur, studying in Class XIth at School of Eminence, at Batala.
The occasion also saw the winning students, poets and the Sufi Singer Yaqub being felicitated.
In his address, the Minister revealed that during 2025-26, every district would see the plantation of 3.50 Lakh saplings in commemoration of the 350th martyrdom day of Sahib Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. The rationale is to ensure a healthy and clean & green environment.
Elaborating on the initiatives planned to make environment greener, the Minister added that a Pilot project has been announced to plant flowery saplings initially in highways falling in 5 Districts namely Ropar especially in Sri Anandpur Sahib, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar especially in the area around ancestral village of Shaheed Bhagat Singh viz. Khatkar Kalan, Sangrur, Pathankot and Amritsar. As part of the project, saplings on both sides of the highways at a distance of 500 Metres would be planted with the height of saplings not exceeding 7 ft.
The Minister further added that the Punjab Government led by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann stands committed to give boost to the tourism sector in the State and connect the youth with their rich and glorious cultural heritage.
These contests would be held over a period of one month in the Primary (1st to 5th Class), Secondary (6th to 10th Class), Senior Secondary (11th & 12th) and College categories. The winners of the first stage would exhibit their talent at the State level. Those attaining first 3 positions at the State level in each of the above mentioned 4 categories would be rewarded with the prize of Rs. 51000, Rs. 31000 and Rs. 21000 respectively, added Mr. Kataruchak.
In his address, the Deputy Commissioner Dalvinderjit Singh said that the State Government is undertaking novel initiatives in order to increase the green cover and in keeping with these initiatives, every department in the district has been directed to plant as many saplings as possible so as to make sure that a legacy of healthy environment is bestowed to the younger generation apart from saving the environment from getting polluted.
On the occasion, Mr. Kataruchak also planted a sapling in the complex of Shiv Kumar Batalvi Sabhyacharak Kendar.
Addressing the gathering, Amrit Kalsi, brother of State Executive President and MLA Batala Amansher Singh Sherry Kalsi, said that Amansher Singh Sherry kalsi could not make it to the function due to some prior commitments but he has sent his greetings t all on the Birth Anniversary of Late Shiv Kumar Batalvi. He also lauded the efforts of Mr. Lal Cahnd Kataruchak in making the students aware about importance of planting saplings with a view to make environment cleaner.
Among others present on the occasion included the SDM cum Commissioner Municipal Corporation Batala Vikramjit Singh Panthey, District President AAP Joban Randhawa, Media Incharge Gurdaspur Mukhdev Singh Alowal, Conservator of Forests N.S. Randhawa and Satender Sagar, Tehsildar Arjan Singh Grewal, President Shiv Kumar Batalvi Art and Cultural Society Batala Dr. Ravinder Singh, General Secretary District Heritage Society Gurdaspur Professor Raj Kumar Sharma and Divisional Forest Officer Atul Mahajan.
