March 29, 2025 (Yes Punjab News)
The Charhda Punjab Foundation proudly hosted its first-ever Conclave at Punjab University on Saturday, as the event was attended by a host of distinguished personalities, served as a platform for critical discussions on the future of Punjab.
Former Speaker of the Punjab Legislative Assembly, Rana Kanwarpal Singh, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. Senior dignitaries, including Harcharan Bains, former Political Advisor to Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal, retired Special Chief Secretary Karan Bir Singh Sidhu, and Lt. Gen. Kamal Jit Singh, were also present as Guests of Honour.
Renowned figures from the Punjabi Film Industry, including Shamsher Sandhu, Pali Bhupinder Singh, Iqbal Singh Dhillon, Davinder Singh Gill, Dalvinder Lidher, and Advocate Parminder Singh Vig, also attended the event, highlighting the diverse representation.
The Conclave featured insightful sessions from eminent intellectuals. Dr. Surinder Singh Jodhka, a renowned sociologist, and Dr. Sumail Singh Sidhu, a respected historian, shared their expertise on their respective subjects, enriching the conversation with their knowledge.
The Founder of the Charhda Punjab Foundation, Vinayak Dutt, emphasized the importance of introspection for Punjab’s return to normalcy. “The Punjabi community is known for its progressive mindset, pluralistic culture, and positive spirit. However, continuous negative propaganda has derailed this spirit.
We need to introspect, accept our faults, and make the necessary course corrections to restore Punjab to its former glory,” said Dutt. He stressed the need for reconnecting agriculture with industries to revive the state’s economy and bring back its golden days.
Rana Kanwarpal Singh, the former Speaker, highlighted the need for solution-oriented leadership in Punjab. “Punjab requires leadership that dares to think outside the box, offering innovative ideas to resolve the state’s debt trap and break the vicious cycle,” he stated.
Harcharan Bains echoed this sentiment, pointing out that Punjab has always demonstrated the resilience of a Phoenix. “Time and again, people have written off Punjab, but the spirit of its people has helped the state rise from the ashes and rebuild,” Bains remarked.
Karan Bir Singh Sidhu, the former Special Chief Secretary, emphasized the importance of learning from Punjab’s history and fostering a stronger connection between agriculture and the food processing industry. “Only by linking agriculture with food processing can we ensure better remuneration for our farmers and secure a prosperous future for the state,” Sidhu concluded.
The event proved to be a catalyst for the much-needed dialogue on Punjab’s future and the role of its people in steering the state back towards prosperity.
