A historic day unfolded as the world witnessed the first-ever Vishav
Punjabi Diwas (World Punjabi Day / Punjabi Day / Punjab Divas), celebrated
in honor of Baba Farid Ji, the first Punjabi poet and spiritual
luminary. For the first time in history, Punjabis across India and abroad
united to honor their language, literature, and heritage. The
celebration, held on September 23, 2025, has now established a tradition
that will be observed globally every year.
Apna Punjab
Foundation: The Driving Force
The Apna Punjab Foundation, an organization known for its
humanitarian contributions in health, education, and environment,
spearheaded this initiative under the leadership of Dr. Jagjit Singh Dhuri (Founder &
President).
The Foundation’s notable achievements include:
· Mission Hariyali
Campaign, which led to the plantation of hundreds of thousands of trees.
· Holding the world
record for the largest human tree formation.
· Organizing free
cancer check-up camps and artificial limb replacement camps,
highlighting its commitment to public welfare.
In collaboration with the Federation of Private Schools and
Associations of Punjab, the Foundation has consistently launched
initiatives to serve society. Dr. Dhuri, a globally renowned Punjabi writer,
conceived the idea of Vishav Punjabi Diwas after noticing that while Hindi
Diwas was observed in Punjab on September 14, there was no day dedicated to
Punjabi, despite its ancient origins and global presence.
Why September 23? The
Legacy of Baba Farid Ji
The Foundation, after consulting leading scholars, unanimously declared September
23rd – Baba Farid Ji’s Aagman Purab (arrival anniversary) – as World
Punjabi Day.
· Baba Farid Ji’s
contribution to Punjabi literature is unparalleled. Recognized as the first
Punjabi poet, his compositions include 112 slokas and 4 shabads,
enshrined in the Guru Granth Sahib Ji by Guru Arjan Dev Ji.
· His poetry emphasizes
spirituality, humility, and human values, forming a timeless treasure of
Punjabi culture.
· The date of September
23 also symbolizes balance, with day and night nearly equal, reflecting
Punjabi’s essence of harmony and resilience.
The First Vishav
Punjabi Diwas: Celebrations in Patiala
The main event was organized at the Harpal Tiwana Arts Centre,
Patiala, where a packed hall of over 600 Punjabi enthusiasts
gathered, including scholars, poets, writers, historians, intellectuals,
educationists, and students.
Key Highlights
· Lamp Lighting
Ceremony by Foundation directors and senior scholars.
· Unveiling of the
Vishav Punjabi Diwas Logo from the theatre rooftop. The logo, symbolizing the evolution of Punjabi,
depicted Shahmukhi and Gurmukhi scripts integrated on a global globe
and the map of old Punjab. It represents the unity of traditions shaped
by Naths, Jogis, Shahs, Pirs, and Gurus.
· Cultural Performances included Kavishri
vaar by students of Mata Gujri Senior Secondary School, Devigarh; folk
songs by Jagdish Papra; and Gidha by students of Modern Secular
Public School, Malerkotla.
· Mass Participation: Across Punjab, 6,500
schools, 1,650 colleges, and multiple universities observed the day. More
than 4.5 million students wore Punjabi attire, spoke exclusively in
Punjabi, and participated in poetry recitations, essay writing, poster
competitions, and wrote pages in beautiful Gurmukhi script.
Voices of Wisdom
The historic event featured thought-provoking speeches from eminent
personalities:
· Dr. Jagjit Singh
Dhuri (Founder, Apna Punjab Foundation): Declared September 23 as a global
Punjabi Day, urging all Punjabis to accept it without hesitation. He
expressed pride that the day was celebrated in Punjab and across the diaspora,
vowing to continue promoting Punjabi throughout his life.
· Poet Swarnjit Shavi: Welcomed the
initiative, stating, “It is now our responsibility to make Punjabi
compatible with AI and digital platforms. By using Punjabi words online, we can
secure our language’s place in the future.”
· Jaswant Singh Jafar
(Director, Language Department, Punjab): Emphasized that Baba Farid’s
anniversary was the most fitting choice. He criticized the over-reliance on
English in institutions like the Agricultural University, Ludhiana, and
stressed the importance of education in the mother tongue.
· Dr. Harpal Singh
Pannu (Renowned Sikh Historian): Called this a turning point in Punjabi history,
linking Punjabi heritage to ancient Indian epics like the Ramayana and
Mahabharata. He noted that even Lav and Kush, considered Punjabis, left their
mark in these scriptures.
· Prof. Gurmukh Singh
(Head, Punjabi Department, Punjabi University, Patiala): Highlighted
academia’s critical role in preserving and promoting Punjabi.
· Dr. Bhiminder Singh
(Director, Youth Welfare Department, Punjabi University, Patiala): Encouraged youth to
take pride in their identity and carry Punjabi forward.
· Harpal Singh
(Chairman, Modern Group & Vidya Sagar Institutions): Urged blending
modern education with cultural values to strengthen Punjabi identity.
· Director of Apna
Punjab Foundation, including Bhupinder Singh Devigarh addressed the gathering,
reaffirming their commitment to Punjabi culture.
Other prominent literary and cultural figures present included Bhupinder
Bargari, Sattdeep Singh Gill, Jaswant Zafar, Darshan Butter, Darshan Singh
Asht, Palinder Singh, and many others.
Global Celebrations
The first Vishav Punjabi Diwas 2025 was not limited to
Punjab. Punjabi communities worldwide-Canada, UK, USA, Australia, Europe,
and Gulf nations-celebrated with cultural events, seminars, and digital
campaigns. This marked the first time in history that Punjabi had its
own international day of recognition.
Key Highlights at a
Glance
· Date Established: September 23, 2025
· Dedicated To: Baba Farid Ji
(first Punjabi poet)
· Initiator: Apna Punjab
Foundation, led by Dr. Jagjit Singh Dhuri & directors
· Main Event: Harpal Tiwana Arts
Centre, Patiala
· Participation: 6,500 schools,
1,650 colleges, 4.5M+ students
· Global Reach: Celebrated by
Punjabi diaspora in Canada, UK, USA, Australia, Europe, and Gulf countries
· Logo Symbolism: Gurmukhi &
Shahmukhi scripts harmonized on a globe and Punjab map
A New Chapter in
Punjabi History
The establishment of Vishav Punjabi Diwas marks a historic
cultural revival. By dedicating September 23 to Baba Farid Ji, Punjabis
worldwide now have a day that symbolizes their pride, unity, and heritage.
From now on, September 23rd will forever be celebrated as World
Punjabi Day, ensuring that the Punjabi language and culture are not
only preserved but carried forward proudly for generations.
Vishav Punjabi Diwas Celebration Check Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVdj_mnL6v8
