A book containing English translation of the 100-year-old classic Punjabi poem about Jallianwala Bagh massacre, ‘Khooni Vaisakhi’ has been released in Abu Dhabi.

India’s Ambassador to the UAE Navdeep Singh Suri commended the launch of the book, saying the ballad is now reaching a global audience.

The poem was translated by Mr Suri whose grandfather, revolutionary poet and novelist Nanak Singh, a Jallianwala Bagh survivor, wrote it after witnessing first-hand the events of April 13, 1919.

On this ill-fated day, British troops fired upon crowds of protesters peacefully demonstrating against the Rowlatt Act of the British Raj, leading to the loss of well over a thousand lives.

Speaking at a panel discussion on the poem following the launch of the book in Abu Dhabi yesterday, Mr Suri said that the release of the book has attracted exceptional media and public interest and that many have commented on the timeless quality of its message.

The book was also released in New Delhi on April 13, marking 100 years since the Jallianwala Bagh massacre that took place in Amritsar.