Ludhiana, November 12, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, organised a literary discussion on Panj Saal Patar Naal, a prose work by renowned Punjabi writer Ninder Ghugyanvi, offering insights into his five-year association with eminent poet Padma Shri Dr. Surjit Patar.
The programme was organised by the Dr. Surjit Patar Chair at PAU. Ghugyanvi, currently serving as a Senior Fellow of the Union Ministry of Culture, documented his experiences with Dr. Patar during his tenure as Media and Cultural Officer at the Punjab Kala Parishad.
Eminent folk scholar Professor Jalaur Singh Khiva, while discussing the book, appreciated the author’s detailed account of his interactions with Dr. Patar. He said the work captured the poet’s multifaceted personality, warmth, simplicity and magnetic charm, while bringing out lesser-known aspects of his life, including the nuances of office culture.
Sharing his experiences, Ghugyanvi said his association with Dr. Patar allowed him to understand the poet from different perspectives. He described him as a personality marked by simplicity, sensitivity, seriousness and warmth, adding that the book sought to preserve memories of their association and document aspects of the poet’s everyday life and personal conduct beyond his literary contributions.
Chief guest Harkirat Kaur Chahal, a short story writer, appreciated the Chair’s efforts to encourage students to engage with literature and eminent literary personalities. She said such programmes help nurture reading habits and deepen students’ understanding of Punjabi literary figures.
PAU Director of Student Welfare Dr. Kamaljit Singh Suri observed that literary activities organised by the Chair help connect students with literature and culture while contributing to their overall personality development.
Participating in the discussion, Dr. Jagwinder Jodha described Panj Saal Patar Naal as a serious literary work deserving thoughtful deliberation and praised Ghugyanvi’s sensitive portrayal of different dimensions of Dr. Patar’s personality.
Earlier, Dr. Nirmal Joura, Chairperson of the Dr. Surjit Patar Chair, welcomed the guests, scholars and students. He said the book brought forward lesser-known facets of Dr. Patar’s personality and offered readers a closer understanding of his life and literary legacy.
The programme began with a musical presentation by Joban Randhawa. Dr. Stalinjit Singh Brar conducted the proceedings, while Dr. Rupinder Kaur Toor, Associate Director of Culture at PAU, proposed the vote of thanks.
Several writers, academics and other guests attended the event, including Gurcharan Kaur Kochar, Ravinder Ravi, Er. D.M. Singh, Gurpreet Singh Toor, Sukhwinder Virk, Principal Kishan Singh, Charanjit Singh, Tej Pratap Sandhu, Paramjit Sohal, Gurinder Gary, Apinder Brar, Harpreet Sidhu and Registering Officer Satvir Singh.
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