The Department of Asian Studies and the Asian Library are pleased to announce the 2025 essay competition in Punjabi for Punjabi language students, in association with the Harjit Kaur Sidhu Memorial Program. Students who were enrolled in a Punjabi language class or classes at a university, college, or at the pre-collegiate level in B.C. during the last three years are eligible to participate. The submission deadline is April 16, 2025. Click here to view competition details.

As part of this celebration, join us for this year’s Harjit Kaur Sidhu Memorial Program on April 23, featuring Punjabi poet Jasbir Gunachauria, who has written around 600 songs that highlight different aspects of Punjabi society and culture. He has also published six books related to his songs, in an effort to bring his journey of songwriting to a wider readership.

This event is free and open to the public. Learn more about the event here.