To promote Punjabi language and culture, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday exhorted Punjabis to come forward for starting a mass movement for putting all the signboards on the private and public buildings across the state in Punjabi language.

Addressing a gathering during a state level function to mark Punjabi language month at the Guru Nanak Dev University, the CM said cited the examples of states like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and others where people show lot of respect to their mother tongue by putting all such signboards on their shops and commercial establishments in their native language.

He said that the time has come when Punjabis should also come forward for adopting this noble practice. Mann exhorted Punjabis to make sure that all the signboards are put prominently in Punjabi with other languages as a mark of respect to the mother tongue.

The CM said people should ensure that the signboards in Punjabi are put before International Language Day coming on 21 February. He underscored the need for making this a mass movement as a mark of respect to mother tongue. Mann said wise Punjabis will adopt this before 21 February and remaining one will be made to toe the line of government after that.

The CM also called upon the Punjabi community settled in India and different parts of the world to promote Punjabi language and culture in a big way.

Mann said it is a fact that no one can survive by detaching themselves from their rich culture and mother tongue. He pointed out that undoubtedly English was universally accepted world over as a link language, but this language should not be promoted at the cost and status of our mother tongue, he added.

The CM said it is a curse if anyone forgets his or her mother tongue but unfortunately in fad of English and other languages the Punjabis are drifting away from their mother language. He said this trend needs to be reversed as it is an undeniable fact that a man can communicate and express well only in his mother tongue.

 Mann said that due to mental slavery we still believe in superiority of English language whereas the fact is that Punjabi is the best language for Punjabis.