Tribune News service Amritsar March 2 Prominent writers and literary personalities marked their presence at the four-day national literary festival and book fair at Khalsa College on Wednesday. The inaugural day began with a poet convention led by Padma Shri poet Surjit Patar who expressed his happiness over the increasing interest that Punjabi literature has piqued interest of the younger generation. Patar along with Khalsa College Governing Council Secretary Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina and Principal Dr Mehal Singh inaugurated the festival. The book exhibition panorama had more than 50 publishers from all over the country lead by National Book Trust (NBT) and the collection include books from different genre. Patar in his inaugural address said that Punjabi language needs to be promoted through literary festivals. `Banda ann paani naal hee nahi banda bo- baani naal vee banda hai (A person is not merely identified by what he or she eats but by what he speaks)” said the noted writer and poet. Another eminent literary personality Lakhwinder Singh Johal too addressed the session and said books have remained the integral part of Punjabi culture and the festival is an opportunity to indulge with the books and immerse into the world of literature. Patar also gave an account of his literary journey and recited his popular poetry. The poetry convention had recitals by Jaswant Jafar Sukhwinder Amrit Swaranjit Sawi Darshan Buttar Wahid Balwinder Sandhu Jagwinder Jodha and Chamnandeep Deol. NBT Director Yuvraj Malik informed that Punjab Art Council Chandigarh and NBT had joined hands with Department of Punjabi Studies Khalsa College to arrange this national event.

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