Punjabi antenna
Simplicity, hallmark of Mera Pind
Randeep Wadehra

What makes a literary work classic? This poser came to mind on February 8 while watching DD Punjabi's special talk show in celebration of Mera Pind, the celebrated writer and multifaceted personality Giani Gurdit Singh's magnum opus. Obviously, there are no hard and fast rules. However, as a rule of thumb, one can say that it has to be a work of enduring popularity. But there are other factors too - the quality of language and characterisation, the message and the manner in which it has been disseminated, its cerebral quotient etc.

Obviously the legendary writer's novel meets all these requirements and more. He wrote honestly, which found ready resonance among his readers. His son Roopinder reminisced on the show that during his visit abroad his host asserted that he could recall each and every word from Mera Pind although it was written long ago - a tribute that any writer would covet. Professor Rajpal Singh, on the same show, pointed out that Giani Gurdit had captured the essence of rural Punjab in his works. No wonder, he was able to recreate images from everyday life in a Punjabi village. While eulogising the Giani's ability to write in simple language, he observed that if a book is bad, the poverty lies within us and not in the language.

Giani Gurdit Singh (right) captured the essence of rural Punjab in his works

Talking of literature and language, there was an interesting discussion on the Day and Night News channel. Several aspects of language and its role were discussed. One of the writers seemed alarmed at a suggestion that there was no difference between Hindi, Urdu and Punjabi and described such assertions as dangerous. However, others pointed out that for a language to prosper, it is essential that it not only evolves and adapts to changing times but also intermingles with other languages - triggering off multilateral lending and borrowing of words, expressions and even ideas in the process. Although the minority opinion still persisted with its exclusivist arguments, others on the show pointed out that the reason why English language has become a global medium of expression is its dynamic interaction with other cultures and languages. In the process, it has borrowed generously from Persian, Arabic, Sanskrit, Tamil, Hebrew, Mandarin and other major and minor languages around the globe. Is it any wonder that English is, at present, the most alive and happening language in every sense of these terms?

Some time back the National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights in its draft for the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Bill had recommended that "consensual, non-penetrative" sex between children of the age of 12 years and over wouldn't be an offence provided their age difference is not more than two years. Similarly, consensual sex between children of 14 years of age (with age difference not more than three years), too, would be legal; the present lower age limit is 16 years. Fortunately, these provisions have been dropped. The Day and Night News channel debated the issue. The panellists largely concentrated on making comparisons with the UK and the USA; there were reservations on the age at which children should be legally allowed to engage in sexual activities. In the Indian context such hyper-liberal laws - which free children from parental control - could prove to be fatal to the institution of family, which is already showing signs of disintegration. Just imagine the consequences of making consensual sex permissible for mere kids! While protecting children from sexual predators is essential, due care should be taken that we do not mindlessly follow all things Western. India needs to preserve all positive aspects of its social structure. Our family institution is one of them, being a repository of healthy value systems that have stood the test of time.