Irreplaceable loss for our mother tongue Punjabi, CM Mann on the demise of revered Punjabi poet Surjit Patar

Chandigarh: Expressing the grief over the demise of Dr Surjit Patar, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann wrote on his X account, “Deeply saddened by the sudden loss of a proud son of Punjabi language, Surjit Patar.” He said that it is an irreplaceable loss for our mother tongue Punjabi and today there is a stillness in the Punjabi language community. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann often quotes his poetry during his speeches.

Eminent Punjabi poet and writer, Dr Surjit Patar passed away at the age of 79 on Saturday in Ludhiana. Born on January 14, 1945, Patar belonged to the village Pattar Kalan in Jalandhar district, from where he got his pen name Surjit Patar.

Dr Patar served as a professor of Punjabi at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, where he embarked on his journey in Punjabi literature. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 2012. But following the farm agitation in 2020, Dr. Patar announced in December his decision to return the civilian honor in solidarity with protesting farmers at Delhi borders against the now-repealed farm laws.

Dr Patar took Punjabi literature to new heights: Harpal Singh Cheema

Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said, “Saddened by the demise of renowned Punjabi poet Surjit Patar ji. He took the richness of Punjabi culture to new heights. His departure is an irreparable loss not only to his family but to the entire Punjabi world.  May God grant him peace and bless the family with the strength to bear this loss.”

It is a personal loss for me: Harjot Singh Bains

Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains also shared his condolences through his X account and wrote, “Passing away of Surjit Patar ji is a great loss to Punjab. So much more was to be written. I shared a very special bond with him. For me this loss is personal too.”

Cabinet Minister Meet Hayer: May Dr Patar rest in peace

Cabinet Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer also shared his heartfelt condolences and said that he was the great poet of our era, we have lost a prominent personality of Punjabi literature. He also prayed for his eternal peace and for the strength for literature and Punjabi language lovers to bear this loss.

Dr Patar will live on in the hearts of literature and Punjabis language lovers: Dr Balbir

Cabinet Minister Dr. Balbir Singh said that he is greatly saddened by the news of the passing away of the great Punjabi poet Dr Surjit Patar. He said that he will live on in the hearts of Punjabis till the end of the time.