Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu on Wednesday paid tribute to eminent Punjabi scholar and poet Bhai Vir Singh on his 69th death anniversary at the Bhai Vir Singh Sahitya Sadan in Gole Market, New Delhi.
Event Highlights
Addressing the commemorative event as the chief guest, the L-G highlighted Bhai Vir Singh's role in the Singh Sabha movement and his contribution to the revival of Punjabi literature and social reform. He also underscored Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of 'Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi', stressing the need to preserve cultural heritage alongside modern development and urbanization.
Sandhu said institutions such as Bhai Vir Singh Sahitya Sadan play an important role in ensuring that cultural traditions remain a living part of public life in an era of rapid technological change.
Personal Significance
The event held special significance for the L-G, whose father, Prof Bishan Singh Samundri, founding Vice-Chancellor of Guru Nanak Dev University, was honored with the Bhai Vir Singh International Award in 1993 for his contribution to education.
Recalling Bhai Vir Singh's association with the Gurdwara Reform Movement, the L-G spoke about the writer's response to the death of Sikh leader and his grandfather, Teja Singh Samundri, in Lahore Jail in 1926. He noted that Bhai Vir Singh had described Samundri as a 'Param Pavitra Shaheed' (supreme, pure martyr) in the pages of Khalsa Samachar after the latter died in the prison following his refusal to accept conditional release from the British authorities.
Sandhu said Bhai Vir Singh used his writings and poetry to highlight Samundri's steadfastness and commitment to Sikh principles, while also urging the community to channel its grief into strengthening institutions and ensuring transparent management of gurdwaras through the newly formed Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC).
Bhai Vir Singh's Legacy
Born in Amritsar in 1872, Bhai Vir Singh is widely regarded as the father of modern Punjabi literature. In 1899, he launched the weekly Khalsa Samachar, which became an influential platform for promoting Sikh teachings, social reform and education.
