Preserving a Mother-tongue is preserving Wisdom & Innovation | Dr Jasmeet Nayyar | TEDxBasant Nagar
In this powerful talk, Dr. Jasmeet Nayyar urges us to reimagine Amritsar and embrace the richness of Punjabi heritage and language. From the wisdom embedded in idioms, proverbs, and local dialects to the stories behind art, music, architecture, and everyday utensils, she highlights how cultural dilution leads to the loss of centuries of knowledge and creativity.Dr. Nayyar emphasizes that Punjabi is more than a language—it is a storage of history, social codes, mental frameworks, and innovation. Through examples from iconic writers, poets, and artists like Bhai Veer Singh, Amrita Pritam, and Saahir Ludhianwi, she shows how heritage is being neglected, and why the next generation must be taught respect and reverence for their culture.Join this talk to discover why preserving language and culture is essential for identity, creativity, and knowledge, and how each of us can keep the spirit of Punjab alive. Dr. Jasmeet Nayyar is a biologist, geneticist, and educator whose journey spans continents and disciplines. Serving with the Government of India, she worked in Iran and Nigeria before returning to Punjab as Principal of SR Government College for Women and later as Director Public Instructions (Colleges & Universities), where she opened 13 new colleges in rural Punjab. As a NAAC assessor, she has guided institutions toward higher quality standards. Beyond policy, she supports over 100 rural government schools through Sanjhi Sikhya and co-founded Majha House, Amritsar’s vibrant literary and cultural hub. A true polymath, she is also an artist, actor, singer, writer, and national-level swimmer, embodying creativity and courage in every role. Dr. Nayyar exemplifies how education, art, and community can come together to reimagine the future with vision and impact. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
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