He was addressing a symposium of intellectuals, artists and art critics at the Punjabi Bhawan on Thursday. The symposium, organised by the Punjabi Sahit Akademi from various fields, had gathered to discuss Randhawa’s Punjab.

Manpreet was responding to Amarjeet Grewal, who had made a demand for an institute of cultural technologies that can help save both Punjab and Punjabi.

Grewal said: “In all developed nations, the cultural industry is developed and progressive, while in India and especially in Punjab, the situation is dismal. Punjab, especially after the green revolution, has missed on various other revolutions like IT and service industry. The cultural industry, however, is one avenue which is still open for us.”

Manpreet said: “We can spare funds for such an institute and I would be glad to help the academy as saving Punjab and the Punjabi language is an issue close to my heart.”