Prize planned in memory of Bhagat Singh’s teacher

Vishav Bharti

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 25

Punjabi University, Patiala, is working on a proposal to institute an annual prize in the honour of Principal Chhabil Das for the development of Punjabi language.

Principal Chhabil Das was the Principal of National College, Lahore, set up by Lala Lajpat Rai in 1921, where Bhagat Singh was a student. Das was instrumental in shaping Bhagat Singh’s revolutionary personality.

The proposal regarding financing the award was submitted by Prof Chaman Lal of Centre of Indian Languages, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.

As per the proposal, an annual prize of Rs 10,000 and a medal will be given for any manuscript/book/research paper/thesis written originally in the Punjabi language (Gurmukhi or Shahmukhi scripts) on Shaheed Bhagat Singh or any other significant revolutionary/revolutionary movement of Punjab till Independence in 1947 after proper evaluation by university experts.

The university has agreed to examine the proposal. In response to Prof Lal, Vice Chancellor Prof BS Ghuman said he was forwarding the offer letter to the university Registrar for necessary action.

“I have great respect for three great personalities in the field of science and social science — Principal Chhabil Das, Ruchi Ram Sahni and Prof Brij Narain, all of whom delivered public speeches in Punjabi and wrote in the Punjabi language that could be understood by the common man.

“I wish I could contribute to institute a prize each in their names, but my financial resources allowed only for one. It may happen in future,” said Prof Lal.