Issue 48 Vol II, September 30, 2007

T H I S  O U R  N O R T H  A M E R I C A

New Battleground for Punjabi Men of Letters
Dr Amrik  Singh

IS Punjabi language and culture coming of age in North America?  From the glut of Punjabi magazines, more in Gurmukhi script than in Shahmukhi and number of literary, social and religious organisations and Internet sites, one could jump to the conclusion that Punjab counts. Also, the number of legislators and councilors could lend credence to this impression. At least two Punjab [India and Pakistan] born scientists from the two Punjabs have won Noble prizes. Yet as discussions at the 13th Punjabi American Literature Conference reveals much more needs to be done.

This conference organized by Punjabi Sahit Sabha California (Regd.) was attended by about 300 Punjabi writers and literature lovers from different parts of the world. The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Jaspal Singh, Associate Editor of the South Asia Post from Chandigarh [India]. Dr. Baldev Singh Dhaliwal of Punjabi University Patiala and Dr. Pushvinder Kaur from In-service Training Center Patiala presented papers on Punjabi American literature.

Dr Jaspal Singh challenged Punjabi writers to carve a niche for themselves in the mainstream American Ethnic literature. He raised fundamental questions as to why a representative text of Punjabis’ destiny, dreams, hopes and aspirations could not emerge from their collective experience. He illustrated the problem by citing the example of European literature in different languages.

When a literary text in a particular language appears, the translated version in English also becomes available within a few months. Punjabi litterateurs need to concentrate on how to reach a larger audience in the country of their adoption.

Continuing in the same strain, Dr. Jaspal made an appeal for making Punjabi Literature a part of American ethnic studies. It is time for a serious thought why Punjabi literature holds no place in American comparative literature and how such goals can be reached.  He further emphasized that Punjabi litterateurs have to come out of their mental ghettos so that they could participate in a powerful manner in the mainstream American literature, media and social cultural discourse.

The Punjabi Diaspora has to give up its tendency of plowing their lonely furrow. They need to get rid of their tribal psyche so as to establish their unique identity at the global level. It appears that Professors of Punjabi origin in American Universities could do more than anyone else, but unfortunately they are completely isolated from the Punjabi community in general. Instead of taking care of the interest of their community, culture, and institutions, they take America as their exclusive intellectual colony so that they can keep on perpetuating their intellectual hegemony over the ordinary Punjabi community. Dr. Jaspal Singh said that they usually behave like autocrats sitting in their ivory towers. In ordinary language they can be termed as academic Czars. To establish a distinct Punjabi identity in America which can become part of the overall American cultural discourse is a very serious problem. The Punjabi American intellectuals are sitting on the fence staring in the meaningless vacuum.

Dr. Baldev Dhaliwal highlighted the contribution of Punjabi writers in the field of American short stories. He substantiated his views by giving appropriate examples from several stories which had an overwhelming response from the audience. The problem outlined by Dr. Jaspal Singh at the theoretical and ideological levels was carried forward by Dr Dhaliwal at the pragmatic levels presenting as an interesting discourse on Punjabi American literature. The audience responded to the intellectual propositions put forward by the scholar.

Dr Pushvinder Kaur dwelled on her personal experiences with American Punjabi literary figures and was able to establish an emotional bondage with the audience.  Consequently, this seminar proved to be a challenge for the Punjabi audience at the ideological, pragmatic, and emotional levels. It seems that now time has come when Punjabi Americans have to deal with these problems as their futuristic projects so that their place is reserved in the overall socio-cultural discourse of America.

Piara Singh Kudowal spoke on Rabinder Atwal’s novel “Do Desh Ik Kahani.”  He summarized the novel in a few minutes and termed it as a great achievement in Punjabi American literature.  Siast Jammu presented a paper on Punjabi American stories.

The first session of this conference was devoted to story reading in which Harjinder Pandher and Ratheshwar Singh presented their unpublished stories. Jaswant Happowalia conducted the stage both for Story Reading and Poetry Recitation.  Kamal Banga Vice President of Punjabi Sahit Sabha collaborated with Manjit Kaur Sekhon to conduct the ceremonies. In the beginning of the conference participants paid homage to departed Punjabi scholars and literary figures like S Bhagwant Singh Azad, Narinder Bhullar, Dalbir Singh and Lal Singh Dil whose demise has left a serious vacuum in Punjabi literary world. Mr. Baldev Singh son of  Bhagwant Singh Azad came to the stage to receive the honor that was originally planned for his father. The stage for this session was conducted by Manjit Kaur Sekhon in a very successful way. The second session as has been stated above was held in the memory of Jamal Hoshiarpuri and its main theme was “Postmodernism and Diasporic Punjabi Literature.” Following this, Dr Amrik Singh President of Punjabi Sahit Sabha California congratulated the audience in general and the representatives of different cultural and literary institutions in particular for participating in a big way.  Dr. Amrik Singh told the audience about the special message sent by veteran poet Gurcharn Rampuri from Canada about Dr. Jamal Hoshiarpuri’s contribution. Dr. Hoshiarpuri’s daughter Dr. Tehseen took keen interest in the entire proceedings of the conference. Dr. Amrik Singh also spoke about good wishes sent by veteran journalist Surjan Zirvi from Toronto and former bureau chief of The Tribune and now the editor of South Asia Post Mr. Gobind Thukral for the success of the conference. He congratulated the organizers for inviting distinguished scholars for the occasion. Mr. Jasjeet Singh Board of Directors Amritsar Times and Mr. Daljit Sra , Chief Editor of Amritsar Times and Editor of World Sikh News Mr. Ajmer Singh participated .  Mr. Prem Kumar Chumber Editor of Ambedkar Times congratulated the organizers for inviting scholars of caliber. Among the journalists Mr. Kuldeep Dhaliwal, Mr. Husan Laroya of Ajit Group and Prem Kumar Chumber were honored for their contribution to Punjabi journalism.

Dr. Onkar Bindra an Almuni of UC Berkeley and a former professor of Punjab Agriculture University was honored for invaluable services for the cause of Punjabi community. New members who joined the Punjabi Sahit Sabha were also welcomed such as Gurbachan Singh Bhatia, Tatinder Kaur, Jyoti Singh and Gurpal Singh Khaira. Gurpal Singh Khaira could not be present due to accident he got involved in a day before the conference. Dr. Harbhajan Singh Shergill remained present throughout the session and extended all kind of help for the conference.

The third session was devoted to poetry recitation in which over 30 well known poets took part. This session was inaugurated by Azad Jalndhari a reputed poet. S. Panchhi. Bhupinder Daler, Surjit Kaur and Gurcharn Badhan jointly presided over this session. Tara Singh Sagar President of the Bay Area Unit, Neelam Saini, Ishar Singh Moman, Azad Jalndhari, Santokh Gill, Jyoti Singh, Harbans Singh Jagiyasu, Mohinder Singh Ghag, Dr. Harbhajan Shergill, Harjinder Pandher, Sukhvinder Kamboj, Kulvinder,Surinder Seerat, Major Bhupinder Daler, Jagjit Naushahirvi, Harbhajan Dhillon, Charnjit Singh Pannu, Mrs. Mr. Amrjit Dardi, Abhitav Saini, Siast Jammu, Rathi Surapuri, Gurcharn Jakhmi, Rajinder Sahota, Ravinder Atwal, Simran Kaur Dhillon, Bupinder Singh, Amanjit, Surinder Kaur, Aabneet Kaur, Inayat and Bableen, Sardara Singh Kalotia, Gurbachan Singh Bhatia, Darshan Natt, Jainder Singh Gill, Sukhdev Gill, Jagdish Gill, Raman Gill, Kamal Judge, Surinder Judge, Tatinder Kaur, Manjit Singh, M.A. Varinder Sekhon, Manjit Sekhon, Karmvir Sekhon, Fresno Unit was represented by Gurpreet Dhaliwal, Jagmit Singh Gill, Iqbal Singh, Dr. Pargat Singh, Kewal Bolina, Charn Judge, Lachhman Singh Rathor, Shinder Singh Australia, Parmjit Singh Randhawa, Piara Singh Kudowal, Resham Singh Sidhu, Jaswinder, Surinder Bindra, Jarnail Singh Sarpanch, Parmjit Bhuta, Palvinder Kaur, Sonia, Jeevan Rattu Shinger, Rattu Shinger, Madan Sharma Trustee Lakashmni Narain Temple, Joginder Singh Subedar participated in the session.

Sacramento City College Punjabi students at its UC Davis Campus attended conference on 9th September 2007. They took keen interest in the proceedings of the conference and interacted with participants.

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Canadian Loonie sits almost on top of U.S. greenback again
Khushwant Toor

THE Canadian dollar, commonly known as the “Loonie,” (because of the bird loon embossed on the one dollar Canadian coin) showed the American greenback dollar its place by being at par. Again; first time since Jimmy Carter was U.S. president elect.

It gives a sense of pride to the Canadians to be equal to the Americans, in dollar value. A few years ago even the street beggars threw out the Canadian coins saying they don’t want the fake money. We can now expect to see even more Canadian license plates in parking lots of U.S. shopping malls near the Canadian border.

Historically, loonie was actually worth more than the U.S. dollar as early as mid of 1957 and for much of 1972 through to 1976, however, the Canadian dollar bottomed out at 61.79 cents in the beginning of Jan. of 2002. Ever since 2002 it has been on rise again, and some analysts predict $1.05 US is possible.

Some of the reasons for the Canadian dollar's strength have been around for years. Commodity prices around the world have been going up in the last few years. Oil, copper, gold, wheat etc, all such natural recourses Canada seems to produce and export them in abundance.

The loonie is also drawing strength from the comparative strength of the Canadian economy. Canada has healthy budget and trade surpluses; the U.S. runs big deficits in both. The Canadian economy is still generating jobs, while the American economy is shedding workers. The Canadian housing picture is also much healthier, with little evidence of the sub prime meltdown that's shaken the U.S. The U.S. dollar, on the other hand, has been limping through historic weakness. It's now at an all-time low against the Euro.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, predicted in Ottawa that loonie’s surprising strength may not be short lived. He further mentioned “This economy (Canada’s) looks very healthy to me, I have been watching for some time and everything from progress on the deficit, growth, this is a solid economy”. Such comments will help Canada attract foreign investments such as those being attracted by Middle East real estate market, now.

The real question is? Is the Canadian Dollar Going Up in Value, or is the U.S. Dllar Going Down? The easiest way to answer this question is to compare both the dollars with other important currencies of the world such as the Japanese Yen and Euro

From these statistics we see that the U.S. Dollar has fallen in value against 5 of the 6 other currencies and has only risen slightly against the Mexican Peso. It’s clear that the jump in the Canadian Dollar relative to the American Dollar over the last six months is due to both the Canadian Dollar appreciating on world foreign exchange markets and the U.S. Dollar falling in value.

A strong currency brings its own set of problems as well and the hardest hit is the Canadian manufacturing sector, in particular the automotive sector. American manufacturing industry does not see any point in off shoring their production in Canada now and is pulling out its rains slowly. One of the hardest hit industries due to the parity in the dollars is the Canadian Trucking industry which largely is dependent upon hauling U.S. stuff manufactured in Canada.

Investors who have U.S. stocks will have noticed that the loonie's rise has wiped out the gains they would have otherwise enjoyed. It's cheaper to import goods from the U.S. than it has been for a generation. Those who export to the U.S., on the other hand, are hurting even more. The Canadian Labour Congress cites the high dollar as the main reason for the loss of 250,000 manufacturing jobs since 2002.

With the parity in value the dollars, Canadian consumer has not yet started to reap the benefits of commodity prices in Canada as compared to the same goods being sold in the U.S. As an example Canadians are paying $22 for a book that costs $17.50 in the U.S.? or paying $399 for an iPod that costs $349 in the States. Some analysts are predicting the Canadian markets will soon have to readjust the prices differences, thanks to the parity in the dollars.

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