On January 28, 2024: Ghazal Manch Surrey organization held a celebration at City Centre – Surrey Public Library to promote Punjabi Literature by launching their website to celebrate the Rich Cultural Heritage.
Davinder Gautam proudly started the program, and he professionally conducted the launch of the Ghazal Manch Surrey website celebration event. Sukhjit Kaur shared her thoughts on the place of technology in Punjabi ghazal poetry, she recognized Rajwant Raj for his tremendous effort in creating this website and she congratulated the team. Rajwant demonstrated navigating the Surrey Ghazal Manch site, displayed all the features, benefits of the tabs, and he discussed expansion in the future.
The Ghazal Manch team spoke one by one, and they were beaming with pride of such an accomplishment in this field: Hardam Maan, ustad Krishan Bhanot, Baldev Seehra, Gurmeet Sidhu, Preet Manpreet, Dashmesh Gill Feroz. Although President Jaswinder was unable to attend due to an unforeseen circumstance, Ghazal Manch Surrey team stated he is here with us in our hearts, voices, and present in our passion.
Dr. Randeep Malhotra entertained the audience by singing ghazal from Ghazal Manch team members’ collection. Jarnail Singh Sekha, member of Lekhak Manch and Mohan Gill, President of Vancouver Vichar Manch, both were ecstatic the website will retain information on Punjabi literature for generations to come. Parminder Swaich, in a humorous fashion, stated that she was jealous of this group as they are the keepers of Punjabi literature, and she commended the entire team.
Several other guests took the stage to say a few words and congratulate the team: Dr. Sukhwinder Virk, Navroop Singh, Preetpal Pooni Atwal, Sukhwinder Chohla, Hari Singh Tatley, Angrej Brar, Jarnail Artist, Bindoo Matharu, Jasbir Mann, and Amrit. All other guests including Mohinderpal Pal offered their best wishes and congratulations to the Ghazal Manch team.
The guests, renowned figures in the literary world, commended the Ghazal Manch Surrey team for their unwavering dedication to promoting the art of ghazal and enriching cultural endeavors. One aspect that garnered special praise was the team's innovative and user-friendly website. The literary guests expressed admiration for the website's design, functionality, and the seamless platform it provided for enthusiasts to engage with the rich world of ghazals. Their high regard for the team's achievements, especially in the realm of digital presence, served as a testament to the Ghazal Manch Surrey team's commitment to fostering a global appreciation for this beautiful form of poetic expression, the Art of Ghazal.
Some of the guests from the media, radio entertainment, artists, and others made the following comments. Ghazal Manch is the only organization in the world outside of India, taking Punjabi literature to new heights with creating this powerful technical resource. There are several key subjects they are promoting in cultural shifts and showcasing literary works by providing a digital space to showcase classic ghazal poetry. It was mentioned, Punjabi literature often struggles to reach a wider audience beyond the regional boundaries. This dedicated website will bridge this gap, offering a centralized hub for Punjabi ghazal poetry, resources, information, and events.
Launching a dedicated website for Punjabi literature is not just a digital endeavor; it is a celebration of a rich cultural heritage. By creating a vibrant online space, we can not only preserve the legacy of Punjabi literature but also introduce it to a global audience, fostering appreciation and understanding including transfer of knowledge to the next generation. Let this website be a testament to the timeless beauty and significance of Punjabi ghazal poetry, serving as a beacon for literary enthusiasts and cultural explorers alike.
City Centre - Surrey Public Library
Ghazal Manch Surrey- Executive Team
Host- Gautam
Rajwant Raj
Hardam Maan
Krishan Bhanot
Baldev Seehra
Gurmeet Sidhu
Preet Manpreet
Dashmesh Gill Firoz
Sukhjit Kaur
Jarnail Singh Sekha
Mohan Gill
Dr. Sukhwinder Virk
Navroop Singh
Preetpal Pooni Atwal
Sukhwinder Chohla
Hari Singh Tatley
Angrej Brar
Jasbir Mann
Amrit
Dr. Randeep Malhotra
Parminder Swaich
Bindoo Matharoo