CHANDIGARH: Stressing on the exemplary contribution of Punjab in our national history, the Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan on Sunday said that respect for Constitution and Army binds the whole nation in one unifying thread of love for the country.
We Punjabis have always been at the forefront of joining defence forces and making sacrifices for the nation whenever required, Sandhwan said here while addressing the gathering at the second and concluding day of the 7th Military Literature Festival (MLF) 2023, adding that events like MLF go a long way in nurturing the spirit of courage, dedication and discipline amongst our youngsters.
I am sure with the organisation of more festivals like these our future is in safe hands, Sandhwan said while lauding the MLF organisers for their sustained efforts in ensuring our youngsters are motivated to join our defence forces.
Sandhwan who attended the day's first session on the topic 'The Lahore Durbar and its gift of the North West Frontier, Kashmir, Baltistan and Ladakh to India' also asked the organisers to organise more sessions in Punjabi for dissemination of knowledge to masses.
Recalling a saying of Nelson Mandela that if you speak to a person in language he or she knows it reaches their head but if you speak to a person in their mother tongue, it directly strikes a chord with their heart, Sandhwan said that Punjabi as a medium of communication is sacred for us. We need to correct this mindset that English is superior to any language, Sandhwan said.
Thanking the organisers for inviting him, Sandhwan while noting the intensity of the discussion said he should have come early and he would have been more enlightened. Speaking about the contribution of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, he said that his unmatchable significance in Punjab's military and social history is a beacon of light for future generations.
It is in the DNA of Punjabis to fight wars and serve their nation, Sandhwan said adding that history has been written by the sword of the brave.