Patiala Witnesses The Maiden Military Literature Festival -

– Intellectuals steal the show at Mil Lit Fest

PATIALA, 28 JANUARY 2023 : It was houseful at the auditorium of Khalsa college, the venue for the Patiala heritage festival opening ceremony. During his opening address, Dr Balbir Singh, the chief guest for the ceremony, and the Punjab health Minister, strongly told the youth to shun drugs and contribute to nation-building by joining the coveted profession of the armed forces. Dr Balbir Singh said that the Punjab government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is fully committed to eradicate the drug menace and gangsterism in Punjab.

Lt Gen T S Shergill, the Chairman of the Military Literature Festival (MLF) was effusive in his appreciation for the unique initiative and cooperation of the Deputy Commissioner, Sakshi Sawhney who has set the benchmark for all the Deputy Commissioners of the state to follow. Lt Gen Shergill also expressed his gratefulness to the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for his approval to take the festival forward by allowing the districts and universities to carry the baton forward to further extend the outreach of the armed forces to the last rural segment.

Major General Puneet Ahuja, commander of the Patiala-based Black Elephant Division of the Indian Army, said that the presence of military veterans in this military literature Festival and the full involvement of the youth have made it wonderful. He said that Patiala holds a special place in the context of military history, so the army will provide all possible support to the civil administration for such events in future also.

On this occasion, 10 brave women, who lost their beloved ones in Armed Forces, belonging to the district were also honored. Addressing the opening ceremony of the Military Literature Festival, the Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney thanked the Military Literature Festival Association and the Indian Army for their efforts and support.

Lt Gen Chetinder Singh, the Vice Chairman of MLF and Lt Gen JS Cheema have been the major guiding force for MLF with Col PS Grewal outstandingly doing all the spade work. Panel discussions were organized on three contemporary topics which generated immense interest amongst the youth as part of the military literature festival, an off-shoot of the ongoing Patiala heritage festival.

Carefully selected topics by the organising committee on Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Pak, China & Ukraine with implications for India, and the Contribution & role of Patiala state State Forces in the 1947 war is exactly what drew the crowds. Eminent speakers, viz Dr Manpreet Mehnaz, IAS Officer RK Kaushik, Dr Harjeshwar Singh, Jaswant Jaffar, Lt Gen K Davar, Lt Gen KJ Singh, Lt Gen Anil Ahuja, Maj Gen AP Singh, Maj Gen Harvijay Singh, Dr Kamal Kinger, Lt Gen HS Panag, Dr AS Sekhon, and Brig Advitay Madan with their in-depth knowledge enlightened the audience to some hitherto unknown facts.

The gallant history of ‘Rajindra Sikhs’ now known as 15 Punjab received a standing ovation from the young crowd as they learnt about the bravery of Patiala Sikhs during world war I, world war II and the first war immediately after independence.

Other events like ‘Clarion Call’ theatre, war drums & martial dances and archery arena were show stoppers at par. Many youngsters were seen climbing onto the tanks lined up for the equipment display and felt so motivated to join the army. The most attractive stall was that of the recruitment counselling centre where several youths were seen asking queries to join the armed forces.

Scores of youngsters were also seen in Patiala revving up their bikes for the Brave Hearts Bikers Rally starting from polo ground tomorrow morning. The ‘Kavi Durbar’ has been scheduled on 30th January at the ‘Languages department. Aero modelling show has been planned at the Civil Aviation Club on 3rd February.