English version of Punjabi storybook released in Canada
Sep 14, 2011 PATIALA: There is good news for all those wanting to read Punjabi short stories translated into English.
A collection of Punjabi short stories written by Dr Harshinder Kaur, deputy medical superintendent of Government Rajindera Hospital in Patiala, have been rewritten in English by a Canadian writer, Ajmer Rode.
The book titled - It happens in India - was released on September 11 by Sikh scholar Dr Harjinder Singh Dilgeer during a function at Vancouver. The stories depict atrocities inflicted on women in various parts of Punjab.
The compilation includes horrifying tales such as the story of an innocent young girl who was raped by her neighbor Krishna. In another story, a dalit woman was paraded naked in her village for stealing a chapaati (made of flour).
The translator was honored for his work by Canadian council and BC Arts council juries. Sharing her thoughts about her book, Harshinder Kaur said, "About 1,500 delegates attended the release ceremony of my book. Punjabis are aware of such wrongdoings in their hometowns but these stories came as a rude shock to Canadian women."
Kaur is at Vancouver these days as she had been invited by Canada Sikh and teaching society to give a keynote lecture at the International conference on - religion and the status of women in the present world - which would be held next week.
Since 1999, Kaur has written 16 books about atrocities on women, psychological problems of children, children storybooks, importance of mother tongue, rising female feticide and its reasons and other issues.
Another book written by her - Aao Daktar Massi ton Kahani suniye -was also released.