Akademi successful in spreading Punjabi

PANCHKULA, March 21: The Haryana Punjabi Sahitya Akademi, Panchkula, organised a bhangra competition on the occasion of its third sthap...

PANCHKULA, March 21: The Haryana Punjabi Sahitya Akademi, Panchkula, organised a bhangra competition on the occasion of its third 8220;sthapna divas samaroh8221; at Satluj Public School, Sector 4, today.

Seven teams took part in the competition. These included teams from Satluj Public School; M. R. A. Public School, Sector 7; Guru Gobind Singh High School from Safidon, near Panipat; Guru Tegh Bahadur Middle School from Jind; Moon Public School from Karnal, Government High School from Karnal; and Government Senior Secondary School from Vaid Wale, Sirsa.

Renowned dramatist Harcharan Singh was the chief guest.

Talking to 8220;Newsline8221;, S. S. Arshi, president of the Akademi, said that that the main objective of the Akademi was to develop Punjabi language and culture in Haryana a goal in which it has been quite successful.

He informed that the function was an annual affair and such programmes always got a tremendous response from participants as well as the audience.

The function began with students of Satluj Public School presenting a 8220;shabad8221; which was followed by the formal inauguration by the chief guest.

Arshi delivered a brief introductory speech and said that the closing ceremony would be held tomorrow at Tagore Theatre, Sector 18, Chandigarh. The three winning teams would perform at the function.

The host school wore a festive look with participants attired in colourful dresses. The compere Harvinder Chauhan, a primary teacher at Satluj Public School, took on the stage with eloquent Punjabi.

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The team from Guru Gobind Singh School, Safaidon, was the first to perform. The audience could be seen dancing to the foot-tapping Punjabi numbers.The first prize was bagged by M. R. A. Public School and the second prize by Guru Tegh Bahadur Middle School. Two schools 8212; Satluj Public School and Guru Gobind Singh High School won the third prize.

Speaking on the occasion, Pritam Singh Serai, principal, Satluj Public School, talked about the popularity of 8220;bhangra8221; throughout the world.