London/Glasgow (Mandeep Khurmi Himmatpura) A function was held at Norwood Hall, Southall, to launch the novel ‘Jhalli’, published in Gurmukhi, by Shagufta Gimmi Lodhi, a writer born in West Punjab.This event, which gave the status of a united Punjab to the eastern and western Punjabs, created something very new. The beginning of the eventShagufta Gimmi Lodhi, during her opening address, paid tribute to Lali Kussa, the late daughter of world-renowned novelist Shivcharan Jaggi Kussa. At the request of Shagufta Gimmi, the audience stood up, observed a minute’s silence and offered flowers of respect to Lali Kussa. It is with great pride that it is worth mentioning here that Shagufta Gimmi Lodhi’s husband Sehzad Lodhi, son Hamza Lodhi, daughter Dr. Saman Hewa are deeply connected with literature.
First of all, on behalf of the Gimmi Lodhi family, stage manager Jasvir Jass invited Mota Singh Sarai, chief servant of the European Punjabi Sath Walsall, novelist Shivcharan Jaggi Kussa, Punjabi Tehreek founder Mudassar Iqbal Butt on behalf of Punjabi Media Group Lahore and Virendra Sharma, who has served as a member of Parliament for five times from Southall Ealing, to be inducted into the presidium. Mayor Karen Smith and her husband attended as the chief guests. Among the speakers, UK-born writer Roop Dhillon presented his views on the novel ‘Jhalli’. After this, Darshan Bulandvi discussed various aspects of the novel in detail.
The congratulatory message sent by Dr. Amar Jyoti, Chairman of Punjabi Pen and Art Group, was read out by Shayara Kitty Bal. Councilor and translator Raj Kumar Sood presented his views in a very interesting manner and the review written by scholarly writer Mangat Bhardwaj ji was read out. Renowned columnist Dr. Harish Malhotra had a constructive discussion by very boldly discussing each aspect of the novel ‘Jhalli’. His boldness is to be praised for raising the issue of absence of ethics in Punjabi literary events. Mota Singh Sarai congratulated Shagufta Gimmi Lodhi on the arrival of the novel ‘Jhalli’ and assured all possible support from the Punjabi Sath in the future.
‘Panj Darya’ UK Editor and TV Journalist Mandeep Khurmi Himmatpura said that while even two words of sympathy are missing from any literary event in the UK with the Shivcharan Jaggi Kussa family, it is a very commendable step for Shagufta Gimmi Lodhi to dedicate the public launch event of her novel to the late Lali Kussa. Renowned novelist/businessman and film producer Gurcharan Saggu in a very emotional and unique way motivated the audience to read the novel ‘Jhalli’. Renowned novelist Mahinderpal Dhaliwal discussed in detail on topics like taking advice from friends before publishing a book, not being in a hurry, and taking special care while translating. Former Mayor and Councillor of Ealing Council, Mahinder Kaur Midha, expressed her happiness.
Congratulations on the arrival of the novel in style. Mudassar Iqbal Butt called this embrace of the writer of the eastern and western Punjab a blessed step towards raising the glory of the Punjabi mother tongue. Lord MK Pasha emphasized the need to increase literary activities in the UK as well as in European countries. Shivcharan Jaggi Kussa said in his address that of course by talking about the eastern and western Punjab, we create the basis of the divisions of the united Punjab, but I will remain indebted to the sister born in the western Punjab, Shagufta Gimmi Lodhi and her family, who have healed the wounds of the Kussa family. While most of the literary figures and institutions considered by him did not utter even two words of sympathy. Former Member of Parliament Virendra Sharma reiterated his commitment to support and cooperation towards the Punjabi mother tongue. Poet Manjit Kaur Padda praised the efforts of the Lodhi family and said that the Lodhi family has fulfilled its duty of being true sons of the mother tongue. In the last moments of the event, the atmosphere became emotional when Rani Malik, the life partner of the world famous late writer Amin Malik, remembered the separation of her husband in a poetic style. She said that Punjab used to beat in the breath of Amin Malik and every small effort of Punjabi lovers would have soothed the soul of Amin Malik. Shivdeep Kaur Dhesi, on behalf of Shivcharan Gill Memorial Trust London, attended. Darshan Singh Dhillon Muradwala, editor of the international discussion magazine, said that our society is in dire need of such Jhallis and Jhallis like the Jhalli in Gimmi Lodhi’s novel. At this time, along with the novel Jhalli, the ceremony of dedicating Gurcharan Saggu’s novel “Karmaan Wali Dhi” was also held.
At the end of the event, the Lodhi family expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the success of the public launch of the novel ‘Jhalli’.