Ludhiana, December 29
"We do not want to go back. In spite of the cold weather, the hospitality offered by the host college - Master Tara Singh Memorial College, and other Punjabis, have made us love Punjabis. We think we are going to do nothing during the way and back home, but rave about our days spent in Ludhiana," was the refrain of almost the 200 students who had come to attend the National Integration Camp organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. The camp had begun on December 21 and ended on December27.

The volunteers had were kept busy in different activities. On the sixth day, they had gone to the Golden Temple, Jallianwala Bagh and Wagah border. That was the high point of their trip and most memorable day of their lives as well. Tripti, Jagriti, Gita, Deepti, from Gujarat said ," A trip to Wagah border was an experience to remember. We saw Pakistanis standing a few meter away. Just a line divided us. The scene that we had witnessed of Partition in the movies came before us, and we thought when we are so similar, why should we fight? It was an experience that we cannot forget in hurry."

Shubashri , Meenu from Bihar said during the cultural evenings , watching dancers dressed in their state costumes presenting their items, they felt thrilled as they felt they had a glimpse of mini India. Reshma , Deepa from Karnataka said that Punjab was so different from their state , but the integration camp gave them a chance to see Punjab and interact with girls of other states. Such integration camps should be of longer duration and not limited to a week. "

Similar were the feelings of Devika, and Ruby from West Bengal. They said," the Golden Temple was so majestic. We liked the disciplined way the crowd moved around without making a noise without disturbing any body."

Suchitra, Jutika Ghosh from Sambharpur, Orissa, said they were overwhelmed by Punjabi hospitality and the warmth that exudes from all Punjabis they met. "The rally we took out was also an experience to remember. We sat for the first time on tractor-trailers. Shouting slogans for 'water conversation', carrying placards against other social evils was an unforgettable experience. The crowds of people listened to us."

"Langar food that we ate at the Golden Temple sitting together gave us a lot of happiness . We had never had such an experience . When we read the statements penned by women who had lost relatives in shooting at Jallianwala Bagh , tears welled up in our eyes," said Gurga, Karuna and Durga from Rajasthan..

Ludhiana, December 29
In a novel way of service to the humanity and service to the community, the Punjab Cultural Promotion Council distributed pullovers among 120 poor-students of Government Primary School Jawaddi as part of the New Year celebrations here today. "PCPC is committed to the social cause along with its mission of internationalising the great cultural heritage of the state, " said Prof Davinder Singh Chhina, while distributing the sweaters to the needy-students who belong to down trodden sections of the society.

Council Director Chhina said the PCPC is working on UNESCO's project of culture for peace, humanity, multiculturism, media and rights, sports and culture for all and for international friendship.

The council would soon organise- Punjab Festival and Dhee- Punjaban Di (Cultural Heritage Contest ) in Jan 2004 in which 'Virasat Awards' would be given to those who have excelled in various fields of life. In this Punjab Festival, Mander Bros (Toronto), Manjot-Diljot (Bhangra dancers from Australia ) and internationally acclaimed folk artist and world famous renowned dancer Ivan Dimitrov (Newyork) would be star attractions.