Punjabi University Introduces Award for Young Researchers on Freedom Struggle

Punjabi University, Patiala, has announced the establishment of the ‘Principal Chhabil Das Yadgari Award’ to honor young researchers studying the Indian freedom struggle. The annual award will be presented on Shaheed Bhagat Singh’s birth anniversary, underscoring the revolutionary’s enduring legacy.

Honoring a Freedom Fighter and Educator

Principal Chhabil Das, the award’s namesake, played a significant role in Bhagat Singh’s formative years as his teacher at National College, Lahore, in 1923. Das later joined the Hindustan Revolutionary Association in 1924 and contributed to its transformation into the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association in 1928, a move spearheaded by Bhagat Singh. Both Das and his wife, Sita Devi, were active freedom fighters who migrated to Jalandhar after India’s independence.

Das was not only a professor of English but also an accomplished Urdu writer, known for works such as Why Socialism. His wife, Sita Devi, served as a Member of Parliament and was a prominent labor leader. Their legacy is now being celebrated through this initiative, supported by an endowment fund from their granddaughter, Saba Dewan, an English writer, and Prof. Chaman Lal, a retired JNU professor and former head of Punjabi University’s Hindi department.

Supporting Research on India’s Freedom Struggle

The award carries a cash prize of ₹5,000 and a certificate of merit. It is aimed at encouraging young scholars at Punjabi University to delve into the contributions of Bhagat Singh, his revolutionary associates, or broader aspects of India’s freedom struggle. Eligible works include books, research papers, or presentations in Punjabi. This initiative seeks to deepen academic engagement with India’s revolutionary history and promote the Punjabi language in scholarly discourse.

By instituting this award, Punjabi University not only honors Principal Chhabil Das’s contributions but also fosters a deeper understanding of India’s fight for independence among the next generation of researchers.

Source: The Hindu