Conscious Keepers Among Academics And Intelligentsia Delve Upon Punjab’s Socio-economic Predicaments In A Book Review Session

Apr5,2025 | Gautam Jalandhari | Ludhiana

Ludhiana Book Club at its monthly meeting held last Friday seriously delved upon a book titled’ Punjabian de Athah Te Fazool Kharche’ edited by Gurpreet Singh Toor IPS (Retd). The keynote speaker was a Former Vice Chancellor and a renowned agro scientist and academician Dr MS Aulakh. The author himself and dozens of other scholars viz professors, scientists, bankers and environmentalists also discussed at length the predicaments which the Punjab state is facing currently. Dr Aulakh quoted extensively from Toor’s book and his own experiences. Later, a pained Toor sought cooperation of intellectuals to sensitize people at large in their respective fields of work. Also present on the occasion were Dr M S Toor , Dr Puran Singh, Dr S S Aulakh, Dr B S Brara, Prof Bahadur Singh, Prof Lakhi Ram Anand ,Prof Rajinder Singh, Dr Gurcharan Singh, Prog G S Ahluwalia, Karam Jit Singh Kainth, Brij Bhushan Goyal, Prof S K Shoree, Prof Harcharanjit Singh, ColC L Lakhanpal and M S Benipal

All the scholars echoed the sentiments of Aulakh and Toor that we Punjabis are wasting our money extravagantly mindlessly succumbing to the western culture forgetting our own culture and serenity.Even in our solemn occasion like childbirths, marriages and other family ceremonies the expenditure is exorbitant and many poor families just in the race to follow the trend have been raising debts which is ruining them ultimately.

Punjabi farmers are wasting water resources extensively as tubewells are in excess and cropping pattern is not being changed. Agricultural implements are never pooled as small farmers are not following cooperative systems. Participants asked Punjab's farmers to beware of bankers and moneylenders who are lending them excessively. This results in a debt trap and frustrations that lead to suicides .

The gathering agreed with the author Gurpreet Toor when he said that another baffling development is selling of fertile lands to erect costly palatial status symbols residential villas which are seldom used fully. Author rues blatant dilution and misuse of Change Of Land Use guidelines in our villages. As also explained in Toor’s book ,all the members also felt that we are spending extensively on costly motor cars whereas we can do with normal ones. Vehicular pollution has already taken a heavy toll on our lives due to the release of silent killer gasses. The participants also cautioned to beware of clever marketers of corporate sellers who have completely captured our psyche to hook us to carve for wasteful unproductive belongings.

About another issue which in context of drug addiction scenario in the state, while supporting the War Against Drugs, the participants however urgently cautioned the State Government against eulogizing the Alcoholism by patting itself for increased excise revenue. This is counter productive as we are destroying our demographic health and well being due to unbridled sale of liquor. We need robust youth who are productive as before.

All the learned members of the book club felt that conscious keepers should not feel as marginalized ones, rather they need to speak consistently as a solemn duty to guide the destiny of our Punjab. All pledged to start the change from one’s own families.

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