Government Department

Information of Language Department

	Introduction
	Scope of Work
	Contact Information

Introduction

The language department, Punjab is one of the departments of the Govt. of Punjab that had primarily been established in the year 1949 for the multifarious development of Punjabi language. Presently it aims at the development of Hindi, Urdu and Sanskrit in addition to Punjabi.  

Scope of Work

The department has dedicated itself to the service of the people in general, students, lovers of literature, scholars and writers and is proud of serving the great cause of the development of Punjabi language with the following targets :

(1) Development of Punjabi

Punjabi is the out standing language of Punjab which finds its place  in the schedule  of regional languages of our constitution. By enacting a Language Act- 1967, Punjabi Language had been given the status of State Official Language.  The following schemes are being executed for the development of Punjabi.

a) Honouring the Shiromani litterateurs

The prominent litterateurs who have to their credit substantial  contribution in the different genres of literature are bestowed upon Shiromani Literary Awards. The selection of the litterateurs is made by the State Advisory Board constituted by the govt. They are honoured with a purse of money, a plaque and a medal.

The selection of the Shiromani litterateurs is made on merit taking into consideration the recommendations of already honoured litterateurs, Ministers and the high officials.

The following is the list of awards encompassing the amount. The list of Shiromani Punjabi Awards are given below :-

               
b) Financial assistance to the literary societies

The financial assistance is extended to the Punjabi literary societies registered in Punjab. To this effect an advertisement is given in the news paper every year. The last date of resending the receipt of  applications to get the assistance has been fixed for 30th of April every year.

c) Financial assistance for the publication of books

The Financial assistance is provided to the Punjabi writers of Punjab to enable them to get  published their creative and unpublished manuscripts in book form. One writer is provided the said assistance only twice but not consecutively for two years. The manuscripts are got evaluated from the eminent litterateurs. The approval for the candidates deserving assistance is sought from the State Advisory Board.

Stipulations

1. Two copies of each manuscript are called for .

2. The manuscripts are invited each year by 30th of April.

3. The number of pages should be atleast 70.

4. An assistance of Rs. 5,000/- is given  against  a  manuscript consisting 125 printed pages.

5. An assistance of the order of Rs. 7,000/- is provided against a manuscript consisting more than 125 pages.

6. The printed book must bear the insignia of the Language Department and the words "The book owes to the Language Department for its assistance in  publication."

7. After the publication of the book its 10 copies should be furnished to the Department gratis.

d) Punjabi drama Competitions

The State and divisional level Punjabi drama competitions are organised for the development of Punjabi stage and to inspire and inculcate the aptitude for stage performance and to develop their potentialities. The published dramas of the renowned play wrights  are staged in the competition. The award is given not only to the best actors and actresses but also on the best director. The team, securing 1st and 2nd position at the divisional level are included in the State level Competitions.

The entries are invited from the drama teams of the schools, desirous of taking part in the competition through the respective distt. Language Officers by advertisement in the newspapers every year.

e) Punjabi Literary Creation and Poetry Recitation Competition

In the field of literary Creation the competitions are held for the children interested in various genres of literature. Keeping it in view they are asked to pen on the spot , an essay story, or poem on any given  subject consisting 300 words  or two pages. The poetry recitation competition is arranged separately.

The quiz competition among the children are also held. The entries are called for from the schools every year by advertisement in the newspaper.

f) Punjabi literary competitions

The competitions are conducted by inviting copies of their recent writing in duplicate from he budding writers in the field of literary creation pertaining to any of the genres of story, essay and one act play.

There also exist a provision to give a special prize to the writers below 21 years.

            First prizes carrying              =             Rs 500/-

            Second prizes carrying            =            Rs 300/-

            Third prizes carrying              =            Rs 200/-

            Special prizes carrying            =            Rs 200/-

The date by which the entries are invited is notified through the newspapers every year.                      

g) Pension to the writers

Under the scheme of providing pension to the Punjabi writers and litterateurs putting in substantial contribution to the field of Punjabi literature, are provided pension @ Rs. 800/- per month.

Stipulations

1.            The writer should be sixty years old;

2.            His income should not exceed Rs 1,000/- (Rs. one thousand per month.)

3.            He should not have any other source of income.

h) Financial assistance to the indigent writers

The Financial assistance is provided  to the indigent writers/ artists and their dependent families by the department. The conditions for providing financial help are given below:

1.            He must not be below 58 years;

2.            His income should not exceed Rs 1,000/- (Rs.one thousand per month.) 

i) Awards to the best books

Under the scheme the best Literary book is given an award of Rs.5,000 (Rs five thousands) to the concerned book printed in the year preceding to the current financial year. The four copies are invited for the entrance in the competition. As such ten awards have been constituted under the following heads:

1.         Bhai Veer Singh Award (Biography/Annotation/ Lexicography)

2.         Gurbax Singh  Preetlari Award (Essay / Travelogue)

3.         Nanak Singh Award (Novel/story)

4.         Gyani Gurmukh Singh Mussafar Award (Poetry)

5.         Ishwar Chandar Nanda Award (drama/ one act play)

6.         Teja Singh Award (Editing)

7.            M.S.Randhawa Award (informative literature)

8.         Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha Award (Grammar/Linguistics, reference book)

9.          Sri Guru Harkrishan  Award ( Children literature)

10.       Dr Attar Singh Award (Criticism)

j) The best book printing competition

The books are called for in order to bestow on the best printing award. The printer of the best book is given an award of Rs.2500/-

Stipulations

1.         The book should have been printed in the year preceding the year of  competition.

2.         The two copies of each book are called for.

The establishment carrying out the scheme of the development of Punjabi  is occupies room No 25 in the Head Office, Bhasha Bhawan, Patiala. The required information and formats may be had and the applications, books etc may be sent to this office.

2. Development of Hindi

The following schemes are in force for the development of the national language Hindi.

a) Shiromani Hindi Litterateur Award

A Shiromani Hindi writer/litterateur putting in substantial contribute to the field of Hindi literature is honoured as Shiromani Hindi Litterateur in recognisition of his entire literary achievments. Therefore he is offered prize of Rs. one lac, a plaque and a medal. For this award the names of the persons may be recommended to the Department by the Honoured litterateurs,Eminent litterateurs, Ministers and the higher authorities of the Punjab and members of State Advisory Board during the financial year from April to March.

b) Financial Aid to the Literary Societies.

The financial aid is provided to the literary societies registered in Hindi. An advertisement to this effect appears in the newspaper every year. The last date to submit the application for this assistance has been fixed by 30th April every year.

c) Financial assistance for the publication of books

Financial assistance is provided to the Hindi writers of Punjab to enable them to get their creative writings published. This asistance can be provided to  writers twice, but not consecutively for two years. The evaluation of the manuscripts is got conducted from the eminent litterateurs The sanction of the grant to the deserving candidates is obtained from the State Advisory Board constituted by the govt.

Stipulations

1. Two copies of the manuscript are accepted.

2. The manuscripts are invited by 30th of April every year. The right of extending the last date if required vests in the Director Languages which will be notified in the prominent  newspapers.

3. The manuscript must contain 70 pages.

4. The financial assistance of Rs. 5000/- is provided against the manuscript consisting 125  published pages.

5. The manuscript consisting more than 125 pages is given the assistance amounting to Rs. 7000/-.

6. The printed book must bear the insignia of the Language Department along with the words "The book owes to the Language Department for its assistance in publication."

7. After the publication of the book its 10 copies must be furnished to the Department gratis.

d)Hindi Drama Competitions

The division and state level Hindi drama competitions are organised for the introduction and development of Hindi stagecraft and to develop the  aptitude of the school children for the stagecraft and to boost their potentialities. In these competitions only the printed plays of the prominent playwrights are staged. The best actor and the best director also secure prizes.  The teams securing Ist and IInd positions are included in the state level competition. The entries are invited from the drama teams of the schools desirous of participating in competitions through the respective District Language Officers by advertisement in the newspapers every year.

e) Hindi Literary Creation & Poetry Recitation Competitions

Such competitions are conducted in order to instil literary and artistic instincts among the children and to inspire them in various genres of literary creation. To this effect on the spot litrary  subjects are given and the children are required to pen down an essay, story or poem consisting two pages or 300 words. The poetry recitation is held seperately.   

The entries are invited every year from the schools through advertisement in the newspapers.

f) Hindi Literary Competitions

In the field of literary creation the two copies of the fresh stories essays, one act plays and other genres are invited from the budding writers and competitions are held.

There is also exists a provision to offer a special prize to the writers below 21 years.

            First prize                  Rs. 500/-   

            Second prize              Rs. 300/-

            Third prize                 Rs. 200/-

            Special prize              Rs. 200/-

        The date fixed for sending the entries is notified through the newspapers every year.

g) Pension to the Writers

Under the scheme of providing pension to the Hindi writers and litterateurs  putting in substancial contribution to the field of literature, the deserving  person is provided Rs. 800/- per month.

Conditions for pension

1.  The writer must be at least sixty.

2.  His income should not exceed Rs. 1000/- (Rs. one thousand per month).

3.  He should not have any other source of income.

h) Financial assistance to the indigent writers

The financial assistance is provided to the indigent writers/artists and their dependent families.

Conditions for financial assistance

1.  He/She should be at least 58 years.

2.  The source of income must not exceed Rs. 1000 (Rs one thousand per month).

i) The best book award :

Under  the  scheme  the books  printed  in  the  year preceding  the  current year get Rs. 5000/-. The four copies of each book are called for. The following awards are offered.

1.   Gyani Sant Singh (poetry)                       

2.   Sudarshan award (Novel/Story).

3.   Mohan Rakesh award (play/one act play)

4.   Inder Nath Madaan award (criticism/ Editing)

5.   Gyani Gyan Singh award (biography/travelogne)

6.   Children literature award.

j) The best book printing competition

The books are invited for the competition against the best printing. The printer of the book selected as the best is given an award  of Rs. 2500/-.

Conditions :

1. The book should have been printed during the year preceding the year of competition.

2. Two copies of each book are called for.

k) Hindi Diwas Celebration.

Hindi Diwas is celebrated for the introduction and development of the national language Hindi every year on September, 14. On this occasion the arrangement is made for the speeches of Hindi scholars, and Kavi Darbars are organised.

l) The translation the famous Hindi books into Punjabi and vice versa.

After rendering the Hindi books into Punjabi and vice versa, the books are published.

m) Translation of the thesis

Under the scheme the P.hd. thesis in Hindi are published.

n) To get the books written from the renowned scholars

Every year the essays are got written from the famous litterateurs and scholars of Hindi  and  printed in book form.

0) Publication of the best Hindi literature

Under the scheme the best literary creations of the scholars  of Hindi in different genres are compiled and published in book form.

The Staff carrying out the scheme of Hindi Development occupies room No 25 in the Head Office ,Bhasha Bhawan,Patiala. The required information and formats may be had and the applications,books etc. may be sent to this office.

(3) The Development of Urdu

Punjabi language has close affinity with Urdu and Persian languages. Urdu is considered to be one of the most popular languages of this region. The gamut of the scheme aiming of the development of Urdu is as given here under :

(a) Shiromani Urdu litterateur award

Keeping in view the substantial and over all  contribution of an Urdu writer to the cause of Urdu literature and language, an eminent writer of Urdu in Punjab is honoured with an award. The selection of the litterateurs is made by  the State Advisory Board constituted by the Government. The selected litterateur is honoured with a purse of Rs. one lac, a plaqe and a medal. For this award recommendations of names are invited by the Department during the financial year from April to March from the Honoured/ eminent litterateurs, Ministers, high officials of the Punjab and the members of the State Advisory Board.

(b) Financial assistance for the publication of books

The Urdu writers of Punjab are provided financial assistance to enable them to get their creative works published in the form of books. A writer is provided this assistance twice but not consecutively  for two years. The evaluation of the manuscripts  is got done from the eminent  litterateurs. The approval of the eligible candidates for the grant is got from State Advisory Board constituted by the Government.

Conditions.

1.  Two copies of  each manuscripts are invited

2.  The manuscripts are received every year by April 30. The right of extending the date if required vests in the Director, Language Department Punjab which is notified in the prominent newpapers of Punjab.

3.  The manuscript should contain at least 70 pages.

4.  The financial assistance to the tune of Rs. 5000/- is given against the manuscript consisting 125 published pages.

5.   The financial assistance amounting to Rs. 7,000/- is offered against the manuscript consisting more than 125 published pages.

6.  The printed book should invariably bear the insignia of the Language Department and the remark" The book published             with the cooperation of the Language Department."

7.  After publication 10 copies of the books are sent to the Department gratis

(c) Pension to the Urdu writers 

The Urdu writers who have put in substantial contribution to the field of Urdu literature are provided pension @ Rs. 800/- per month.

Conditions

1.  The writer should be sixty year old.

2.   His income should not exceed Rs. 1000/- P.M.

3.   He should not have only other source of income.

(d)   Financial assistance to the indigent writers

The indigent/Urdu writer/artists and their dependent families are given pension by the Department.

Condition for the financial assistance

1.   Age should be beyond 58 .

2.   Income should not exceed Rs. 1,000/- P.M.

 (e)   The best book award :

Under the scheme the book published during the year preceding the current financial  year is offered an award of Rs. 5000/- Four books are called for the entry to the competition. The four awards against the different genres have been named after the different scholars of Urdu literature:

1.    Sahir Ludhianvi award (poetry).

2.    Rajinder Singh Bedi award (Novel/story/drama/one act play).

3.    Kanhiya Lal Kapoor award ( prose).

4.    Mehmood Sherani award (criticism)

(f) The best book printing competition

During the year the books are invited for competition to offer the prize to the book having good printing. Out of these books the printer of the  book is given a prize of Rs. 2500/-

Conditions :

1.  The book should have been printed in the year preceding the year of competition.

2.  Two copies of each book are called for.

(g) The publication the best anthology

An anthology consisting the writings of the Urdu writers of Punjab published in various periodicals and newspapers during the year is compiled and published. The writers whose writings find place in this anthology are paid @ Rs. 100/- against a poem and Rs. 250/- against prose writing as royalty in lump sum. Any resident/domicile writer of Punjab may furnish his writings for this compilation.

(h) Free Urdu teaching classes :

For the teaching of Urdu gratis a class is being run by the Department in the name of 'Urdu Amoj'. Free Urdu classes are also being run by the Department in each distt of Punjab and Chandigarh at the Departmental offices. The two sessions of the duration of six months each are held from January and July respectively in which the students are admitted. Anybody may get enrollment to this class. The students declared successful in this examination are issued certificate in Urdu Amoj. The desirous persons may contact the District Language Officer to this effect. The office addresses have been given earlier

The staff related to scheme of development of Urdu is occopies the room No. 25 of Bhasha Bhawan complex, Patiala. The required information and formats may be had and  the applications,books etc. may be sent to this office.

(4) The Development of Sanskrit

Sanskrit is the mother tongue of the modern Indian languages. So the following schemes are in force for its development :

(a) Honouring the Shiromani Sanskrit litterateur :

A famous litterateur/writer of Sanskrit is honoured as a Shiromani litterateur in the field of Sanskrit. Sanskrit in recognition of his overall literary contribution. So he is honoured with a purse of Rs. one lac, a plaque and a medal. The selection of the litterateur  is made by the State Advisory Board.

Financial assistance for publication of books :

The Sanskrit writers are provided financial assistance  for publication of their creative  and original writings in book form. This assistance can be provided to a writer twice but not consecutively for two years. The manuscripts  are got evaluated from the eminent litterateurs. The  approval for the eligible candidates is taken from the State Advisory Board constituted  by the Government of Punjab.

1.  Two copies of each manuscript are called for.

2.  The manuscripts are accepted every year by April 30 .

3.  If required,  the Director Languages is authorised  to extend the fixed date by notification in the prominant newspapers of Punjab.

4.  The manuscript must contain at least 70 pages.

5.  The manuscript consisting 125 pages is provided assistance to the tune of Rs 5000/-

6.  The manuscript having more than 125 pages is offered the assistance of the order of Rs. 7000/-

7.  The printed book must bear the insignia of the Language Department  and that " The book has been published with the cooperation of the Language Department."

8.  After printing 10 copies of the book have to be privided to the Department gratis.

(C)Financial Assistance to the indigent Pundits.

Financial assistance is provided to the indigent and deserving Pundits of Sanskrit and there dependent families.

Conditions for financial assistance :

1.  The writer must not be below 58.

2.  His income should not exceed Rs 1000/- P.M.

3.  He should not have any other source of income.

(D)Kali Dass Award

Under the scheme the book pertaining to any genre of Sanskrit published in the year preceding  the current year is privided  an award of Rs. 5000/- In order to qualify for the competition four copies of each book must be furnished by the author.

(E)Punjabi translation of Sanskrit writings.

Under the scheme the best books of Sanskrit are got rendered  into Punjabi. The remuneration @ Rs 75/- per 1000 words is paid.

(F)The book grant-in-aid to the Sanskrit institutions / libraries                     

Under the scheme the libraries of the various institutions  maintaining separate section of Sanskrit books are provided grant-in-aid in the form of Sanskrit books.

The establishment carrying out the scheme of the development of Hindi  is occupies Site- Room No. 25, IInd floor Bhasha Bhawan, Sheranwala Gate, Patiala.

5. Departmental Periodicals

(1) Punjabi Magazines

Two Punjabi monthly magazines titled "Punjabi Dunia" and "Jan Sahit" are brought out by the Department.

(a)Punjabi Dunia   

This magazine is related to critical literature of Punjabi. In this magazine the research based essays penned by the renowned writers and the essays by the budding litterateurs are also published.

(b)Jan Sahit  

This monthly magazine appertains to the creative literature of Punjabi. The original stories, one act plays, poems and essays by the litterateurs are published in this magazine.

Conditions :

1) In both these magazines of Punjabi the original  and unpublished writings of the writers are published.

2)  A certificate to the  effect is taken from the authors that the writing sent is original and unpublished  one.

3)  The writers of Punjab and those that reside out of Punjab and  abroad may furnish their writings.

4)  As remnneration the writers are provided Rs. 150/- against an essay / story and Rs.100/- against a poem.

5)  The subscription for both these periodicals  is Rs. 36/- each. This subscription may sent to at the Head Office in the name of Director, Language Deptt., Pb. or at its branch offices.

6)  The writer whose writing is published in either of the magazines is dispatched two  copies of the concerned magazine gratis.

Staff related to Magazine section occupies Site- Room No. 35, IIIrd floor Bhasha Bhawan Sheranwala Gate, Patiala.

(2) Hindi magazine :

            Punjabi Saurabh ( Hindi monthly)

In this periodical the original writings by the Hindi writers in different genres  like story, essay, poem and the writings appertaining to the children literature are published.

Conditions :

1)  Only the original and unpublished writings by the Hindi writers are published in this magazine. The certificate to the effect that the concerned writing is original and  unpublished before is taken from the writer.

2)  The writers of Punjab and those residing out of Punjab may send their writings.

3)  The writers are provided remuneration @ Rs. 150/- against an essay and story and Rs 100/- against a writing connected with the children literature.

4)  The subscription for this magazine is Rs 36/- It can be deposited with the head    office in the name of the Director, Language Deptt., Pb. and its branch offices .

5)  The writer whose writing is published in the magazine is sent two copies of the     concerned magazine gratis

Staff related to Hindi Magazine occupies Site- Room No. 25 IInd floor Bhasha Bhawan, Sheranwala Gate, Patiala.

(6) Introduction of Punjabi in other states

Various type of financial assistance is extended to the provinces out of Punjab for the development of Punjabi language.

(a) Financial assistance to the libraries

                        The libraries are provided grant-in-aid in the form of books.

(b) Financial assistance to the Literary institutions

The Literary institutions working for the cause of Punjabi language are given financial assistance

(c) Financial assistance for publication of books :

The selective manuscripts of the litterateurs/ writers are provided financial help.

(7) Publication of books

The books prepared by the Department on its own, Vishav Kosh, glossaries, Kosh etc. and the books got edited and translated from the outside scholars are got printed judiciously. The process of publication is as stated below.

1) Press copy

The press copy and the official copy is finalised by the Department. Thereafter the press copy is sent to the Controller, Printing and stationary, Punjab for publication.

2) Allotment

The book is alloted for printing to some private printing press by the Controller Printing and stationary

3) The proof reading is got done by the press from the Language Department. On the receipt of print order the book is printed.

 4) Price

After the book is printed its sample copies  got approved from the Language Department and is sent to the Controller,  Printing and Stationary Dept., Pb. to fix the price.

 5) Supply

After the price of the book is fixed by the controller printing and stationary the entire supply of the book is made to the Languages Deptt. Pb. Staff related to Publication Section occupies Site- This staff is housed in Hall No. 2 Ground floor Bhasha Bhawan Sheran wala Gate Patiala.

(a)Reference Library

1. The reference library of the Department came into existence in the year 1950. There  are 96841 books in all in this library out of which 42800 books are of Punjabi, 22957 of Hindi, 6471 of Urdu, 15485 of English 7651 of children literature and 1477 books are Departmental publications.

2.This library is primarily related to the Punjabi literature therefore  two copies of each standardised book published in Punjabi by every writer residing in and out of Punjab are invariably purchased for this library.

3. Besides the books of Punjabi Language the books pertaining to Hindi, English, Urdu and children literature which are requird in the research work by the Departmental     and other scholars are purchased and made available to the concerned on the requisition  of  the sections of the Department.

4. Besides this library has also preserved a stock of 592 rare handwritten manuscripts. The work of preparing  C.D. of all these handwritten manuscripts has been initiated by the computer wing of the Department.

5. This library is housed in the third and fourth floor of this fine building of the head office of the Department. This building has spacious reading hall, a writers gallery and separate rooms for the regular researchers and scholars. In the reference section of the books too there is a separate sitting arrangement  for the readers.

6. In order to keep the day to day record of information the prominent new papers and periodicals are purchased for the library out of which the matter relating to Punjabi literature  is also preserved.

7. The reading hall is also well furnished.

8. In this hall there is writer's gallery embellished with the portraits of the Shiromani   litterateurs, writers and scholars. In this gallery the entire literary creations of the     honoured scholars have been displayed.

Staff related to library Section occupies Site- Reference library, III floor Bhasha Bhawan, Sheranwala Gate, Patiala.

(10) Sale of books

The sale of the Departmental books is done by the Department on it own so that the Departmental Publications might go direct in the hands of the readers. The information regarding the sale is as follows :

1) Sale price :

The Departmental Books are sold for the development of Punjabi language. It does not aim at any monetary profit. So their price is a fixed at no profit no loss basis, which is very small in comparison with the market price.

Commission :  The readers purchasing books are also given commission as per the following rates : -

            Upto Rs 100/-                                        Rs 15%

            From  100/-to Rs 500/-                            Rs 25%

            From Rs 501 to Rs 1500/-                         Rs 30%

            Beyond Rs 1500/-                                   Rs 40%

            To the agency holders as per the above order of the amount.

Sale Centre

The sale of the books is done at the Paitiala head office as well as literary centre Delhi, Punjabi Cell, Chandigarh,  the distt headquarters in the offices of the Distt Language officers.

The readers may purchase the books from the above sale centres during the office hours. In certain selected cities the agancies have also been given to the book sellers.

Office addresses :

1)    Distt Language officer, Bhasha Bhawan, Sheran Wala Gate, Patiala.

2)    Distt Language officer, Distt Administrative complex, Sangrur.

3)    Distt Language officer 166, Railway road near D.A.V. College Ferozpur.

4)    Distt Language officer, near St. Xavier convent school hostel,
Power house road, Bathinda.

5)    District Language officer, Punjabi Bhawan, Ludhiana.

6)    District Language officer, Burten club, Hoshiarpur.

7)    Distt Language officer, Sant Singh Sukha Singh School complex, 84, Majitha Road Amritsar.

8)    Distt Language officer, Kothi Shri Gyan Singh Dhanjal  Advocate,
Tibri Road        Gurdaspur.

9)    Distt Language officer, Room No 28, Mini Secretariat, Ropar.

10.  Distt Language officer, Top floor, Mini Secretariat, Faridkot.

11)   Distt Language officer, H.No. 761, Guru Gobind Singh Nagar, Street No.3, ward   No.6, Court Road, Mansa.

12)   Distt Language office,r Sub Division complex, Fatehgarh Sahib.

13)   Distt Language officer, Near District courts, Kapurthala.

14)   District Language officer, Tehsil complex, IInd floor, Jalaandhar.

15)   Assistant Director, Punjabi cell/Hindi Cell, Language Deptt Pb.,SCO No. 1062 63 IInd Floor, sector 22-C, Chandigarh.

16)   Assistant Director, Literary centre, Punjab Bhawan, Copernicus Marg, New Delhi.

Head office address :

Bhasha Bhawan,
Sheran Wala Gate,Patiala
Office Hours 9.00 A.M. to 5.00 P.M.
Working Days Monday to Friday