International Seminar on ``Nationalism and Partition" concludes at KCW

• By Admin
• 16-Jun-2018

Fulbright Scholars Amazed over Historic Migration After Indo-Pak Divide

The two-day-long international seminar on `Nationalism and Partition’ concluded here today at Khalsa College for Women (KCW). The event was organized by the college in which Fulbright scholars from Metropolitan State University, Denver, USA, participated and they were amazed to learn about the large scale human migration during the Indo-Pak division in 1947. 

The key speak Dr. Sukhdev Singh Sohal, retired professor from Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, shared who the Geography and Demography changed the Indian sub-continent and Amritsar emerged its centre of conflicts. He referred to pre-1947 Punjab which always attracted the invaders for its natural resources. Dr. Sohal spoke in detail about the theme of Nationalism which emerged as a social and political force from 1905 to 1947 for the Punjabis. Dr. Sohal searched the pages of history to explain the traumatic annexation of Punjab by the British in 1849 for its raw material and other resources. Khalsa College Governing Council honourary secretary Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina who inaugurated the seminar anguished that Punjab and West Bengal suffered the worst consequences and their affects are visible even today. He said the large scale migration proved to be one of the most violent, brutal, savage debasements in the history of humankind.

The 15 members Fulbright Hays Group team from US including students and professors meanwhile were astonished to learn how the partition unleashed a wave of communal hatred and violence. Dr. Andrew Muldoon, Professor of History, James Aubrey, Professor of English and Dr. Akbarali Thobhani, Executive Director, Office of International Studies spoke about the historic aspects of partition and emergence of nationalism in Punjab. 

They thanked the management and Principal of Khalsa College for Women, Amritsar, Dr. Manpreet Kaur, for her support to organize the Seminar and also Dr. Sohal to help the American educators to understand the wholesome picture of Pre and Post Partition Punjab. Dr. Manpreet presented the Vote of Thanks and praised Dr. Sohal for his comprehensive and knowledgeable lecture. She expressed her views about the irredeemable losses that Punjabis have suffered during Partition and also stressed the need to revive the memories of Partition through such lectures for linking our next generations with the valuable history of Punjab.