Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 21: A 2-day Multilingual Conference organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages commenced at Abhinav Theatre here today.
The Conference coincides with the International Mother Tongue Day which is being observed across the world today.
Prominent Dogri writer and poet Padma Shree Padma Sachdeva inaugurated the Conference while as eminent Kashmiri writer and poet Gyanpeeth Awardee Prof. Rehman Rahi was guest of honour on the event.
A galaxy of intellectuals, noted scholars, prominent writers, poets, philosophers, well known artists senior citizens, media persons and a large number of people were present on the occasion.
In her address, Padma Sachdeva threw light on the importance of the mother tongue in the present day and said that mother language strengthens the bonds of areas and regions which need to be preserved for the coming generations as heritage. She said that mother language is a powerful way to communicate by all its citizens, especially those lesser qualified and children and everyone must feel proud in communicating and promoting the mother languages, she added.
Padma shree Rehman Rahi, in his thought provoking key note address highlighted the significance of the mother tongue and called for collective efforts to promote and preserve these. He called upon the writers and poets to play their role in promoting the mother tongue.
Secretary, Department of Culture Himat Kumar informed the gathering about the efforts made by the Government for promotion and development of various languages being spoken in the State.
Secretary, J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages Dr Aziz Hajni, in his welcome address said that aim and objective of organising such conference on the International Mother Day is to provide a plateform to the writers, poets fraternity of all the scheduled languages to give their valuable suggestions and inputs as well, which will help in functioning of Academy more comprehensive and holistic without giving any preferential treatment to any particular stream.
On the occasion, the books namely “Sheeraza” in Dogri, Hindi, English, Gojri and Kashmiri were released. The latest publications of the Academy in various languages were also displayed as a Book Exhibition in the Academy Premises.
Earlier, two minutes silence was observed to pay tributes to late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, former Chief Minister, who was President of the Academy. Tributes were also paid to those prominent writers who passed away including Chaudhary Naseem Poonchi (Gojri) Prof. Rashid Nazki (Kashmiri) Ghulam Nabi Nazir, Prof. Nusrat Chaudhary (Urdu) GHulam Mustafa Panchi, Surrinder Singh Manhas, Gursharan Singh Gulshan, Muhammad Ahmad Anderabi and Tsering Wandous. The contribution of the late writers was remembered.
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