Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 20: Eminent theatre personality and former Cultural Diplomat of India, Padamshree Balwant Thakur today appealed to all the lovers of Dogri language and culture to celebrate December 22 as Dogri Day.
Addressing a pre-event hosted by Natrang to celebrate the inclusion of Dogri in 8th Schedule of Constitution of India, Thakur said that twenty years back on December 20, 2003 Dogri became a recognized language of India.
“Instead of terming it as Dogri Maanta Divas this day should be celebrated as Dogri Day,” he maintained adding: “Let this day be celebrated as a wake-up call for governments, politicians and the institutions who have been failing to recognise the value and importance of a mother tongue which is the ultimate identity of a community, race or culture.”
Underlining the contribution of Natrang in promoting and projecting Dogri language and culture, Thakur said that it was Natrang which took Dogri to international heights.
“Through selfless efforts of 40 years, Natrang brought laurels for Dogri by taking it to Frankfurt International Theatre Festival, Theatre Olympics, Commonwealth Games-2010 and Festival of India in Russia. Fact remains that Dogri became the first regional language of India to reach to Frankfurt International Theatre Festival, Germany in 2009,” he further informed.
Balwant Thakur said that harsh reality is that younger generations are not speaking Dogri and vested interests have always inculcated inferiority complex amongst the younger generations wherein some schools have also contributed rigorously in cementing this complex of inferiority.
“Celebration of Dogri Day may also be utilized to sensitize younger generations and prompting them to take pride in their language and culture,” he continued adding that this is the high time to think and act promptly.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
