Ferozepur Fort Opens to Public, Panjabi Language Thrives in Malaysia

To boost tourism in the border region of Panjab, on 1 Jun, the Indian Army opened the centuries-old Ferozepur Fort to the public. Historians say the fort was occupied by the British through deceit after the death of Sardarni Lachhman Kaur in 1835 and was converted into a British garrison in 1839 following instructions from the Duke of Wellington. In 1858, the British opened an arsenal here and different kinds of ammunition were manufactured. The fort served as the base depot for the supply of guns and ammunition as well as trained horses and bullocks. About 10,000 bullocks, as many horses and 150 camels would be tethered here at any given time. The fort continued to be used as an arsenal until 1941 when the ammunition was shifted out as a tactical move by the British during World War II. Dr. Rameshwar Singh, a historian, said the fort had come to the notice of German dictator Adolf Hitler and finds mention in his autobiography . ‘The move reaffirms the government's commitment to preserve national heritage and promote responsible border tourism,’ said Major General Ranjeet Singh Manral, General Officer Commanding, Golden Arrow Division. Meanwhile, in Malaysia, despite dwindling numbers and shifting cultural dynamics, the Panjabi language continues to find a voice due to the efforts of a committed group of educators and community leaders. The national-level Panjabi language program, spearheaded by the Khalsa Diwan Malaysia (KDM), based in Ipoh, has played a central role in this effort for the last 25 years. Under KDM’s guidance, Panjabi Education Centers across the country have continued to offer instruction and teacher training in the language, ensuring its transmission to future generations. Malaysia's Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek lauded KDM’s ‘noble initiative’. Her statement said: 'The Panjabi language cannot be separated from daily life within the Panjabi community, as both are closely linked in social, cultural, and spiritual aspects’ (earlier coverage).