Dr Patar has won Padma Shri, Sahitiya Academy and numerous other awards for his contribution to Punjabi language.
In this conversation with SBS Punjabi, he provides some suggestions on how Non-Resident Punjabis can preserve their mother language, Punjabi.
While accepting the fact that English is the universally accepted language, Mr Patar said that this recognition should not be at the cost and status of the mother tongue Punjabi.