Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 22: Various organizations and educational institutes today celebrated `Dogri Maanta Divas’ or Dogri Manyata Diwas- the day when Dogri language was included in 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
It was on December 22, 2003, when Dogri language was included in the Eighth Schedule of Indian Constitution and got the status of National Language.
In this connection, BJYM organized an impressive function, which was attended by prominent literary personalities and senior leaders of BJP, who said preserving the language is imperative for upholding the identity of the Duggar land and Dogras.
Speaking on the occasion, J&K BJP President Ravinder Raina said that the role of people, in general, becomes very important in terms of speaking Dogri, which many of us shy away in our daily life and while interacting with children at home.
Mayor JMC Rajinder Sharma, former Dy CM J&K Kavinder Gupta, Padmashri award recipients Dr Jitendra Udhampuri, Balwant Thakur and State President BJYM Arun Prabhat also spoke on the occasion and exhorted for collective efforts for further promotion of Dogri besides making it a day to day language.
Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU) Katra celebrated ‘Dogri Maanta Divas’ by organizing an impressive programme of Dogri music and poetic verses by students.
Prof Vishav Murti Shastri, noted Sanskrit Scholar and Padamshree awardee, while speaking on the occasion exhorted the people of Jammu region to put in all efforts to promote Dogri language, art & culture and preserve the Dogra heritage. Prof. Shiv Nirmohi, noted scholar of Dogri culture and Padamshree awardee, emphasized the need for promoting Dogri language and literature among young generation through institutions of learning.
Prof R K Sinha, Vice Chancellor SMVDU, stressed the need for communicating in our mother tongue. “Unless and until we don’t respect our languages we won’t be able to respect our culture and civilization and nation “he said. On the occasion, a documentary titled “Musicians of Mountains” showcasing the folk music, culture and traditions of Duggar region was also released.
On 2nd day of ongoing Dogri Maanta Divas celebrations by Dogri Sanstha Jammu, today a seminar was organized which was chaired by Prof R D Sharma, former Vice Chancellor Jammu University as chief guest whereas it was presided over by Prof Lalit Magotra, President Dogri Sanstha Jammu.
The seminar had six papers on criticism of Dogri Literature in which Dr Bansi Lal Sharma presented paper on Literary Criticism, Col Raj Manawari presented paper on Ghazals , Prakash Premi read his paper on story writing, Aushotosh Prashar on Poetry , Jagdeep Dubey on Plays and Dr Sandeep Dubey presented his paper on Prose. The key note on the occasion was read by Prof Veena Gupta.
Govt. Degree College, Mahanpur organized a two- day workshop titled “Dogri Language, Culture and Literature” to celebrate Dogri Maanta Diwas.
The programme was organized by Prof Meena Devi (Department of Dogri), Prof Rupalee Jasrotia (Department of English) and Dr Samvedna Sharma (Department of Education) under the supervision of Dr Sangeeta Sudan, Principal of the College. Students of the College also prepared various performances displaying the Dogri culture- Dogri folk dance and Dogri folk songs. The students also recited poetry in Dogri.
To celebrate the day, Department of Dogri of Govt Degree College Jourian, performed Nukkad Natak (street play) in the Jourian bazaar. Performed by NSS volunteers of the college, the Nukkad Natak was based on the title ‘Cyber Crime and safety’ in which students performed very enthusiastically.
Principal of the college presided over the programme, which was organized by Dr Rimjhim Gupta (HOD Dept of Dogri Dogri) and Dr Vandana Rajput (NSS program officer).
Youth Wing of Dogra Sadar Sabha, Jammu and Kashmir, held a meeting of its members and prominent citizens of Jammu under the chairmanship of Prem Sagar Gupta, Gen Secretary DSS, to celebrate Dogri Manyata Diwas here today.
In his inaugural remarks, Gambhir Dev I/C Youth wing DSS, appealed people of Jammu, Dogras and lovers of Dogri language to use the mother tongue to the maximum possible extent in their homes and amongst each other to preserve, promote, enrich and pass on this sweet and complete communicative language to the coming generations.
Prominent among those, who expressed their views on the occasion, included Janak Khajuria, Ravi Singh Slathia, Dr V S Sharma, Pawan Sharma, Ravinder Singh, Munish Pathania, Jitender Kumar , Rajinder Gupta, Ishan Gupta, S Paul Singh and others.
Nami Dogri Sanstha held a special literary meet on the occasion of `Dogri Maanta Din’ amid exchange of greetings and distribution of sweets .
On the occasion, NDS appealed to the Dogra community to strive and preserve Dogri , Duggar culture , Dogra history , Dogra heritage and Dogra identity . Dogra Harish Kaila, President NDS, observed that remaining attached to the local culture and mother tongue is like walking on our own legs than to walk on cluthes and artificial limbs . He appealed the young generation to speak Dogri and abreast themselves with Dogri culture and proud Dogra history.
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