Canada. Dr. Kuldip Singh Kular, a member of the parliament of Ontario, released two CD albums of Stephen Gill at his riding office in Brampton, Ontario, on November 21 for Canada International Panjabi Sahit Academy (CIPSA).
One album, titled A Selection of Interviews of Dr. Stephen Gill, contains TV interviews in English that took place on different channels in different cities, including Ottawa, Montreal, Austin, Texas, during the past fifteen years or so. Transferred from video copies, these interviews represent the views of Stephen Gill on world peace, the art of writing and his life in general. Largely educational, this DVD was initially edited for scholars and researchers who are working on doctoral theses on Stephen Gill.
Second album, Aman Ki Rah ( way to peace), is a collection of songs. Nazir Shad, a prominent performer of Pakistan, has composed and sung some Urdu/Hindi poems of Dr. Stephen Gill in this album. The theme of these songs is world peace. The first song of this album can be translated in English as "if we were free."
When Stephen Gill was in India on a literary tour in 1990, he appeared on the Jalandar (Panjab) radio station for an interview with the editor of Masihi Sansar Joseph Freddy. He was not allowed to present this poem on the station. Postal authorities of Pakistan also refuse to let this CD Aman Ki Rah out of the country. The released album and its copies are based on a smuggled copy.
Among the attendees were prominent writers and intellectuals of Panjabi language, including Gurdial Kenwal, president of CIPSA. He has authored several collections of poems, and appears in the Guinness World Records. Among other attendees include, Major Nagra, chief editor of Watan and president of a radio station, Balbir Singh Momi, editor of Nagara, Urdu/Panjabi poet Dr. Solomon Naz, and Mr. Sulkhan Singh Hundal, who was representing Conservative Party of Canada for Federal Elections.
Thanking Dr. Kular, Stephen Gill said he was aware that the medical profession is highly demanding. He is also aware that the life of a parliamentarian is highly demanding. Under these circumstances a medical practitioner with only an adorable cause would dare to enter a parliament. He added that during the days of Aristotle and Plato physicians used to be philosophers and creative artists also. He admired Dr. Kular for his support to creative artists, including poets and writers.
Dr. Kular acknowledged the contributions of Stephen Gill as a writer in the field of peace. On behalf of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario he presented Dr. Stephen Gill with a certificate concluding, "your heartfelt dedication to various social issues serves as an example to us all. Shrine and Aman Ki Rah are truly inspiring bodies of work and showcase your undeniable talents."