Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Sep 6: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today gave nod to the creation of writers’ welfare fund and enhancement of assistance to the artists and writers besides approving the publication programme of Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages.
The Chief Minister, who is also president of the Academy, underlined the need for transparency in finalization and implementation of various programmes stressing on adherence to the set norms and procedures in this regard. He also approved enhancement of scholarship for the students of calligraphy and cash prize for photography and films.
Chairing the Central Committee meeting of the Culture Academy here today, the Chief Minister directed for prior vetting of all proposals with financial implications by the Finance Committee of the Culture Academy before listening these in the agenda for approval of the Central Committee.
The Chief Minister asked the Academy to factor in the opinions of members of Central Committee representing various languages while formulating the programme for publications in these particulars languages.
The President of the Culture Academy said that a comprehensive project for upgrading Tagore hall at Srinagar is being worked out with the Central Government at a cost Rs. 12.5 crore. He said a similar project for Abhinav theatre Jammu is also under process with the Union Government. The Chief Minister has already approved Rs. 2 crore for Srinagar Tagore hall and Rs. 1 crore for Abhinav theatre for the improvement and upgradation of these prestigious cultural centres.
The meeting was attended by the Minister for Tourism and Culture Nawang Rigzin Jora, Deputy Chairman Legislative Council, Mohammad Yousuf Taing, Principal Secretary Finance, Mohammad Iqbal Khanday, Principal Secretary Planning Development, B.B. Vyas, Commissioner Secretary, Tourism and Culture, Atal Duloo, non official members of the Central Committee and other senior officers.
Omar Abdullah asked the Culture Academy to issue calendar of events before the start of tourist season every year and keep it available at all tourist offices, hotels and other such tourist concern establishments so that tourists visiting the State receive full information about various cultural programmes and avail the opportunity to witness these. He asked the Cultural Academy to take best advantage of amphitheatres developed at Mansbal, Nageen west, Zaberban and other tourist places for organizing and showcasing cultural programmes depicting Suffiana and other heritage of the State.
Earlier, Secretary Culture Academy Khalid Bashir Ahmad presented resume of the major activities undertaken by the Cultural Academy during last two years. He said composite cultural programmes, exhibitions heritage painters camps, interpreters training programmes, sculptors camps, exhibitions of paintings, manuscripts, literature, calligraphy and photos were organized at Srinagar, Jammu, Delhi, Leh, Ahmadabad, Bhubaneswar etc.
He said Advisory sub-committees have been activated and discussions held with prominent writers and artists at Jammu, Srinagar, Kargil, Leh and Rajouri. He said best translation a wards have been given, Quranic manuscripts and calligraphy exhibition held. He said 7 day all India painting camp at Leh, 20 days children summer workshop at Jammu, 8 day all India sculptors camp, seminars on Sadat Hassan Mantoo and Mehjoor at Srinagar were also held.
The meeting reviewed action taken report on the decisions taken in the previous Central Committee meeting and discussed matters relating to the functioning of various units of the academy in detail.
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