Chandigarh: Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu today unveiled Military Literature Festival (MLF) and described the event as a tribute to the Armed forces. Addressing a press conference here, Sidhu credited Chief Minister Amarinder Singh for pioneering this initiative, which is being jointly promoted by the Punjab government and the Chandigarh administration to spread awareness about the subject among the people. 

Sidhu also unveiled the festival logo and said that with top thinkers, authors, historians, curators and defence experts participating in the programmes, the event promises to be a "huge success". "With Punjab standing tall in terms of the Param Vir Chakra won by its men, the festival is an apt and glowing tribute to the grit, courage and fearless determination of the country's defence personnel," the minister said. 

Sidhu urged the media to support the festival and help spread its message of sacrifice and bravery among the masses, especially the children. Earlier, in his opening remarks, Senior Advisor to Punjab chief minister, Lt Gen T S Shergill, said the main event, scheduled to take place December 7-9, 2017, will be preceded by many curtain raisers to build the momentum for the grand finale. 

He said the military literature had ancient roots, with the longest poem, the Mahabharata, being all about warfare. Sidhu also spoke about the relevance of technology to military and literature, underlining the importance of promoting all aspects of the subject.