ISLAMABAD: Information Technology University (ITU) launched a book titled Fascinating Folktales of Punjab, written by US-based writer Gurmeet Kaur, in order to commemorate the World Mother Languages Day on Monday. This book is the first of its kind which has retold traditional Punjabi folktales in both scripts of Punjabi, Shahmukhi and Gurmukhi. “I wanted to make a book which was understandable in both Punjabi as well as in English,” Gurmeet Kaur noted. The author further stressed the importance of knowing one’s mother tongue, and lamented the decline in the usage, especially written Punjabi. “We are killing thousands of years of history, tradition, and even our identity like this,” she said. Addressing the girls in the audience, Kaur further stressed that women needed to ensure that they speak to their children in their mother tongue, and enable them to learn their history and tradition. Published in Daily Times, February 20th 2018.