Three-Day Book Fair Gets Off to a Grand Start
Barnala, (Asian independent) A three-day book fair dedicated to the memory of renowned rationalist thinker Dr. Narendra Dabholkar was inaugurated at the local Tarksheel Bhawan by rationalist thinker Manjit Boparai, who specially travelled from Australia for the occasion. The book fair, organized by the Tarksheel Society Punjab, features stalls by well-known publishers from Punjab offering rationalist, revolutionary, humanist and progressive literature.
Addressing the first session online, Dr. Mukta Dabholkar shared her views and said that, in order to bring about people-centric social change against superstitions, hypocrisy and conservatism carried out under the cover of religious faith, it is extremely important to spread scientific thinking among the general public on a large scale.
She said that Dr. Narendra Dabholkar had founded the Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti (Committee for the Eradication of Superstition) and had launched extensive awareness campaigns against superstitions, the caste system, drug addiction and the immersion of idols. She further stated that the challenges and attacks on scientific thinking by communal forces can be confronted only when democratic and rationalist organizations come together and work collectively.
During the session, Rajpal Singh, editor of the Tarksheel magazine, moderated the proceedings while taking questions from the audience and putting them to Dr. Mukta Dabholkar.
Earlier, state organizational head Master Rajinder Bhadaur welcomed the guests, students, publishers and participants. He emphasized the need to organize such book fairs at the village level in order to further strengthen the rationalist movement in Punjab.
In the next session, renowned health experts Dr. Amritpal Singh, Dr. Jagroop Singh and Dr. Jashanpreet Singh held a discussion on “Myths Related to Common Diseases and Their Scientific Truth.” They said that it is essential to develop scientific awareness among people by educating them against superstitious practices such as magical remedies, charms, amulets and talismans for the treatment of physical and mental illnesses.
On the occasion, a handwriting competition was organized for students, along with a street play. The winning students were honoured with cash prizes and rationalist books.
Among those present on the occasion were state committee leaders Hem Raj Steno, Gurpreet Shehna, Kuljit Fazilka, Ram Swaran Lakhewali, Sukhwinder Bagpur, Rajesh Akalia, Sumeet Amritsar, Mohan Badla, Joginder Kullewal, Jaswinder Phagwara, Jujhar Longowal, Deep Dilbar, Amit Mittra, Varinder Diwana, Param Ved Sangrur, journalist Purshotam Balli, Balraj Morh, Sukhdev Phagwara, Dr. Rajinder, Pal Bagpur, Tejinder Singh, Binder Dhanaula, Jasvir Soni, Kuldeep Nainewal, Randhir Gilpati, Gian Singh Bathinda, Ajaib Jalalana, Jinder Bagpur, Bhura Singh Mehamasarja, Iqbal Kaur Udasi, Vishw Kant, Balbir Longowal, Kulwant Singh and others.
Sumeet Amritsar
State Media Head
Tarksheel Society Punjab
