History conference ends on positive note

PATIALA, MARCH 21: The three-day Punjab history conference organised by the Punjabi University Department of Punjab Historical Studies, c...

PATIALA, MARCH 21: The three-day Punjab history conference organised by the Punjabi University Department of Punjab Historical Studies, concluded here today. The conference was inaugurated by Narinder Singh, Minister for Public Health and Civil Aviation.

In the conference, 75 research papers on various aspects of Punjab8217;s history were presented relating to ancient, medieval, and modern times. In his key keynote address, Dr D.N. Jha discussed the communal harmony aspects of the land of five rivers.8217;

The valedictory function was jointly presided over by eminent historians Dr B.R. Grover, former director, ICHR, Dr Kirpal Singh and Dr M.L. Gupta. While sharing their impressions on the three-day conference, Dr Chattar Singh, of Kurukshetra University said the ideas expressed were quite thought provoking. Dr Gulati of Delhi was equally confident of a positive response from all the participants while Dr Mohinder Singh Bajwa from Guru Nanak Dev University, stressed the need for involvement of more college teachers for better reorientation.

Dr Param Bakhshish Singh, head, Department of Punjab Historical Studies, while thanking the delegates, moved two resolutions. He requested the ICHR to enhance grants for such conferences and in another resolution mourned the demise of Dr S.K. Bajaj, a reader.

Earlier in the day, while presenting his paper on Punjab8217;s Unacknowledged Freedom Fighters Abroad,8217; Dr Shiv Kumar Gupta, head, History Department, Punjabi University, highlighted the role of Pritam Singh, who was the founder of the Indian Independence League in Bangkok and even instrumental in convincing General Mohan Singh in the formation of the Indian National Army.

Dr Jaspreet Walia of GND University read a paper on Master Tara Singh8217;s views on the Nehru report. She brought out that he had advocated the complete abolition of separate communal representation.

Dr Mohinder Singh of Punjabi University in his paper on Biswadari in PEPSU State,8217; spoke at length about the prevailing Biswadari system in princely times. He said that PEPSU was the first state to impose land ceiling in India.

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Dr Chaman Lal, Dr Rai Jasbir Singh, Dr Surjit Singh Hans, Dr Mohinder Singh Bajwa also presented papers.