CHANDIGARH: Celebrated Punjabi poet and Padamshri awardee Surjit Patar today passed away due to cardiac arrest at Ludhiana. He was 79 years old.
Born on January 14, 1945, Patar belonged to village Pattar Kalan in Jalandhar district. He is the president of Punjab Arts Council, Chandigarh. In the past, he has held the office of the President, Punjabi Sahit Akademi, Ludhiana. He was awarded Padma Shri in 2012.
Punjab Education minister Harjot Singh Bains has expressed deep shock over the demise of Surjit Patar. He said that it was his personal loss.