Introduction:

There is a strong feeling amongst Punjabi community and in particular, artists and literary writers that they should have a meaningful and effective organization which would represent them in the wider world of art, culture and literature both nationally and internationally. There are many organizations in Britain and worldwide whose mission has been the same but, in terms of their effectiveness, these organizations have failed to deliver. Consequently, Punjabi art and literature has been mainly confined to its own community and even in this community there is a lack of interest in exploring art and reading literature. Writers, some students and some scholars read most publications of Punjabi poetry, short stories and novels. The Punjabi Theatre and its plays are virtually non-existence. Second and third generation Punjabi community has not developed any interest in either reading or writing literature in any form. Furthermore, there has been no attempt to promote Punjabi art and literature amongst multicultural society of Britain and worldwide. Similarly, no attempts were made to introduce Punjabi Language in the mainstream of linguistic studies in British education system. Provision of studying Punjabi is patchy at all levels of education.

Aim:
To set up a multi purpose Panjabi Centre in Leicester to promote Punjabi Art, Literature, Punjabi language and Culture in the multicultural society of Great Britain and the wider world.
 

Objectives:

To establish Punjabi Academy Leicester, to:

§         Promote Punjabi language in the mainstream of multi-linguistic Britain

§         Serve humanity by promoting Culture, Art and Literature

§         Promote Punjabi culture, art and literature in multicultural society of Britain and abroad

§         Encourage and motivate new generation to learn Panjabi

§         Act as an intermediary resourceful organisation for establishing links and channels of communications between Punjabi community and other communities and similar organisations in the UK and abroad

§         Purchase rent or acquire land or buildings and to train, hire or appoint suitable personnel(s) to achieve the objectives of the academy

§         Promote research and development in culture, art and literature

§         Translate information in Panajbi for the benefits of Panjabi community

§         Help to set up and ESOL and IT classes for adults

§         Encourage new poets, writers and visual and performing artists

To meet these objectives the Academy will undertake to:
 

§         Develop robust policies, procedures and the projects to deliver Punjabi education, art, culture, literature and research

§         Work towards obtaining funding for its projects and capital funding for buildings from the Punjabi community, lottery grants and other funding organisations

§         Organise Punjabi, multilingual and multicultural functions, conferences and workshops in Leiceste,r across Britain, Europe and the wider world

§         Translate Punjabi literature into English and the other major languages in the world and vice versa

§         Publication of original and translated work and make it available to other organisations

§         Act as a resource for translating other works for community and other organisations such as health etc

§         Arrange exhibitions of Punjabi art and craft

§         Organise public functions and festivals of literary, educational and cultural in nature

§         Honour distinguished personalities in the field of literature, science, medicine, arts, drama and performance arts with cash awards and certificates of honour, honorary membership and fellowship of the Academy

§         Award scholarships, bursaries and trust funds

§         Promote and sponsor Punjabi language throughout IT, media and journalism

§         Engage 2nd and 3rd generation Punjabi community in all activities. It will also include older generation and women

§         Undertake research on Punjabi art and culture and practise evidence based activities

§         Perceive the world and the life on it as a symbol of unity, peace, equality, freedom, aestheticism throughout the realisation of its diversity and globalisation.

Membership:


Academy is open to everybody who wants to promote the cause of Punjabi language, art, culture and literature irrespective of their race, creed and religion. Its activities will be open to all others interested in any form.