He was known for his work about the volatile period of Punjab, whether it was the freedom struggle or the declaration of Emergency. He has been credited for promotion of arts through opening of Virsa Vihars throughout Punjab while he was serving as a member of Rajya Sabha.
“Sardar Kartar Singh Duggal was a great personality who paved the way for promotion of cultural activities in Amritsar and other areas of Punjab. As MP, he came up with Virsa Vihar concept, a centre of cultural hub for artistes, and gave funds to maintain them,” said Kewal Dhaliwal, director, Virsa Vihar, Amritsar.
The writer donated Rs 2 crore to each Virsa Vihar in Amritsar, Jalandhar and Kapurthala, he said. “Political leaders have not done so much for art and culture as this man did,” he added.
The writer was to be honoured with a Honoris Causa degree by Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) at its 38th annual convocation on February 1. “The news came as a shock to us. He was not keeping well for a past few days, yet he was to be conferred with the degree this year. He was a man of cause; never backed out from giving out to society. I had interacted with him on few occasions and his thought process was extraordinary,” said Inderjit Singh, Registrar of the GNDU.
His works have been translated into several Indian and foreign languages. He has also received many honours, including the Padma Bhushan, Sahitya Akademi Award, Ghalib Award, Bharatiya Bhasha Parishad Award, Bhai Mohan Singh Vaid Award, and Soviet Land Award. He has served as director, All India Radio and National Book Trust. He has also been Adviser (Information), Planning Commission of India. “He was a great leader without whom the cultural scenario in Punjab would have been pathetic. When there was a need to find a respectable address for art and its cause in the region, he opened the Virsa Vihar. I pray he rests in peace,’ said Jatinder Brar, owner of Punjab Natshala
Neha Saini, Tribune News Service, Amritsar, January 27.
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