The Punjab Go

Department of Public Relations, Chandigarh Administration www.chdpr.gov.in

Press Release

Chandigarh September 24:- The Punjab Governor and Chancellor of Punjabi University, Patiala, today launched Punjabi University’s website on Encyclopaedia of Sikhism and also a CD of this historic document at Punjab Raj Bhavan, here today. Containing reliable information and knowledge of sikh religion and culture, philosophy and history, this Encyclopaedia can be accessed on the website of Punjabi University www.punjabiuniversity.ac.in. Addressing the gathering of educationists, academicians and intellectuals on the occasion, General Rodrigues called upon them to restructure & reorient our education system, so as to encourage our youth to achieve academic brilliance by thinking for themselves to contribute to our nation building activities. It is our collective responsibility to provide them the opportunities to develop qualities of debate and to demonstrate their ability and determination for the evolution of new ideas, and achieving the realization of our dreams. Our emphasis must be to encourage our children to go to our roots, rich traditions and heritage and develop their potential, capabilities and capacities to contribute to Resurgent India. Emphasizing the need for serious introspection and to know where we have gone wrong, General Rodrigues said that we are a 5000 year old civilization with universities like Taxila and Nalanda and we must make serious and sustained efforts to revive those glorious traditions of education. He referred to Lord Maculay’s speech in February 1835 in British Parliament indicating the need to change the system of our education, suiting the needs of British Raj. He said that he had already asked the Vice Chancellor, Guru Nanak Dev University to carry out a study to make our children more complete, with the qualities of head and heart and concerned citizens fully aware of their responsibilities to society and to the Nation. Lauding the effort of Punjabi University, Patiala for preparing this Encyclopaedia of Sikhism, General Rodrigues said that it will prove a monumental work for propagating the thought and teachings of our great gurus. Mr. S.S. Boparai, Vice Chancellor of Punjabi University, Patiala in his welcome address said that this Encyclopaedia of Sikhism is the highest manifestation of society’s thought and intellectuals research work. He said that keeping in view the growing demand of authentic literature on Sikh religion and history in English, the Punjab University resolved to prepare an Encyclopaedia of Sikh religion and the job was entrusted to Professor Harbans Singh, known for his meticulousness and commitment to scholarship. Professor Harbans Singh who was assisted by a small team of equally dedicated scholars, gave better part of his life to the project. It took the University more than two decades to complete the project and the Encyclopaedia in our volumes.

Created with novaPDF Printer (www.novaPDF.com). Please register to remove this message. He said that it was decided to put the Encyclopaedia on the web and scholars from India as well as from other countries have contributed their expertise. He also highlighted the steps being taken by the Punjab University for improving academic environment and upgrading the professional skills of rural students. He also mentioned that the Punjabi University has given major focus to promote Punjabi in education curriculum of the University. Dr. Dharam Singh head of the Department of Encyclopaedia of Sikhism and Dr. Sucha Singh Gill, Dean Punjabi University also spoke on the occasion. Eminent educationists and senior officers of Punjab Government including Mr. N.S. Kang, Secretary to Governor, Mr. Jagjit Puri, Secretary Information & Public Relations Department and medical education were present on the occasion.

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