Vancouverite Ashok Bhargava Honored As An International Poet Laureate In The Philippines

VANCOUVER – AshokBhargava is a Vancouver basedaward-winning multilingual poet,speaker and writer. Recently hewas bestowed with the title ofPoet Laureate at Rockwell Clubin the City of Makati by AxlepinPublishing for duration of twoyears i.e. 2013 -2015.He was honored with anAmbassador Poet Award byHistorical Pentasi B. Forum incollaboration with the NationalMuseum of the Philippines andthe National Library of the Philippines.The award ceremonytook place at Marble Hall inmetro Manila. He will serve asthe literary and cultural ambassadorfor a two-year term forthe World Friendship Poetry ofPentasi B Historical Forum.Ashok has published 4books of poetry. His poetry hasbeen published in various literarymagazines and anthologies.He has been featured on CBCRadio and Chanel M TV as wellas Word On The Street, Explorasianand Chapter’s UnderThe Cherry Tree. He had wonPoet Ambassador and LifetimeAchievement Awards. Recentlyhe was honored by UBC &GF Trust with a Humanitarianaward.He is an avid volunteer, supporterand organizer of varioussocial and artistic activities. He isthe founder of “WIN – WritersInternational Network Canada.”He believes that volunteeringenriches us spiritually. He findsliving between cultures and languagesvery intriguing and stimulating.Historically, a Poet Laureateserved as the official chroniclerof state events and occasions.In ancient times, the Laureatewas the central means for recordingand communicating history.“Laureate” comes from theLatin word ‘laureatus’, meaningadorned with a crown of laurel,an honour also bestowed on theearliest Olympic athletes. PoetLaureates date back centurieswhen they first served the BritishMonarchy. Some of the earliestpoetry is believed to havebeen orally recited or sung asa way of remembering history,stories and law.As a Poet Laureate, Bhargavais to promote poetry as avehicle of global peace, harmonyand understanding. As anambassador for the literary arts,he will incorporates poetry intoa range of informal local and internationalliterary activities.Interestingly some Punjabipeople living in Manila noticedthe big welcoming posters ofAshok Bhargava and decided tocome in and join the celebration.Bhargava says, “ it was such aheart warming and spontaneousact of relating to a fellow countrymenthat it brought tears tomy eyes and I felt very proud tobe a Punjabi and an Indian.”