A handful of writers are helping children literature in Punjabi find its place on the shelves

Bhajna Amli Bangeya Neta

Vancouver, February 11, 2008 - With the latest census showing a 35 per cent increase in its speakers since 2001, Punjabi is set to become the fourth largest spoken language in Canada.

Today, it is the sixth largest spoken language after English, French, Chinese, Italian and German, though it is already at the fourth position in the province of British Columbia.

HE may not be a Punjabi by birth, but his love for Punjabi folk makes him an integral part of the cultural scene here. So, when the star-maker became a star himself this Republic Day by becoming one of the Padmashree awardees in the music category, we rejoiced. After all, it’s Jawahar Wattal, who gave us star singers like Baba Sehgal, Daler Mehndi, Sujaat Khan, Shweta Tiwari and Shubha Mudgal.

Cheema Kalan (Nurmahal), January 16 The novel attempt by leading Punjabi singer Sarbjit Cheema to mix music in the background of social messages against female foeticide and addiction, both alcohol and drugs, proved to be successful at his native village here yesterday.

LONDON: Bhangra singer Malkit Singh says he wants to greet the British queen with a boisterous Chak de Phatte when he meets her to receive his Member of the British Empire (MBE) medal.

PATIALA: The Punjabis here have totally changed on cultural front, but those in North America still seem to be living in the past. This specific part of the community is still not ready to give freedom to the daughters. After the murder of an 11th standard Muslim schoolgirl Aksa Pravez (16) by her father in Toronto, the role of the Asian parents is under scanner in North America.

LONDON: Goodbye Heathrow's Punjabi sweeper, as Britain has finally banned unskilled non-European Union (EU) workers from coming to work for the "foreseeable future".

The ban, suggested sotto voce when the British government first unveiled a controversial Australian-style points-based immigration system, was finally announced late on Wednesday.

The ban is expected to affect roughly 12,000 unskilled migrants from non-EU countries, mainly India, Pakistan and some African nations.

It is seen to be the biggest shake up to British immigration policy in 50 years.

PATIALA: The death of Harnek Singh Sidhu (52) last Monday at the Brampton Civic Hospital (BCH) in Brampton (Canada) due to the alleged negligence on part of the hospital staff has got the south Asian community, especially the Punjabis, agitated.

His son Mandeep Singh Sidhu alleged, “We felt like being treated as second-class citizens.”

Song: If You're Punjabi & You Know It... Clap Your Hands
Artist: DCS