Fatehgarh Sahib: The three-day international Punjabi conference, organized jointly by the Department of Punjabi at Sri Guru Granth Sahib World University and the Sikh Education Council, UK, to commemorate International Mother Language Day, successfully concluded on February 20, 2026. The main theme of the conference was “Punjab and Sikhism: Concerns of Homeland and Diaspora.”
On the concluding day, two sessions were held under the chairmanship of Vice-Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) Prit Pal Singh. In his presidential address, he described the concerns of migration and homeland (Avas-Parvas) as a major contemporary challenge for Punjab, emphasizing the need for in-depth academic discussion to find appropriate solutions.
Highlights of the Fifth Session
In the fifth session, Prof. Ranjit Singh Ghuman (Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar) shed light on the positive dimensions of migration and its economic contributions. He argued that effective solutions require systemic reforms rather than individual efforts, underlining the importance of a strong work culture and legal migration channels.
Dr. Gurpreet Singh Brar (Punjabi University, Patiala) considered migration an inherent aspect of human nature. He analyzed the impacts of the market and the current state of school and higher education. Pointing towards current challenges, he advocated the principle of “Come to learn, go to serve.” During this session, research papers were also presented by Dr. Harneet Billing (Education Department), Dr. Harpreet Kaur (Punjabi Department), and Dr. Ramandeep Kaur (Political Science Department).
Key Points of the Sixth Session
In the sixth session, the following scholars presented their views:
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Dr. Khushwinder Kumar (Khalsa University, Amritsar): Discussed the social, political, and psychological dimensions of attitudes toward migration in Punjab.
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Prof. Gurmukh Singh (Punjabi University, Patiala): Addressed Punjab’s encirclement by both external and internal migration and the quest to rediscover “our land” and “existence.”
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Dr. Sewak Singh (Sikh Thinker, Sri Anandpur Sahib): Highlighted the concepts of expansion and contraction in Punjab’s religious-cultural heritage amidst migration.
Panel Discussion
The panel discussion was efficiently moderated by S. Harbhakhsh Singh (Bibekgarh, Mohali). It featured Sikh thinker and writer S. Amandeep Singh Sandhu (Bangalore), who discussed in detail the role of Sikh migration in different regions of India, their historical contributions, and emerging contemporary concerns related to artificial intelligence.
Other Important Presentations
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Dr. Swaraj Raj (Former Professor, English Department): Age and gender-related concerns in Punjab’s migration.
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S. Jasbir Mand (Prominent Writer and Thinker, Ropar): Specific concerns of farmers and laborers.
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Dr. Vinod Kumar (Jagat Guru Nanak Dev PSOU, Patiala): Intersections of literature and migration issues.
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Dr. Gurmeet Singh (Punjabi University, Patiala): Migration concerns as reflected in Punjabi poetry.
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Research Scholar Biba Manpreet Kaur: The possibilities and challenges of return in Punjabi migration.
Closing Ceremony
The sessions were smoothly conducted by Dr. Harpreet Kaur and Dr. Charanjit Kaur of the Punjabi Department. The event saw active participation from faculty members and students, including Department Heads Dr. Hardev Singh (Religious Studies), Dr. Harneet Billing (Education), Dr. Ramandeep Kaur (Political Science), Dr. Rupinder Pal Singh (Food Technology), and District Language Officer S. Ranjit Singh.
At the conclusion of the program, Head of the Punjabi Department, Dr. Sikander Singh, expressed heartfelt gratitude to all the scholars, teachers, and students who contributed to the resounding success of the conference.
