Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 17: ‘Sahitya – Meri Soch, Mere Shabad’, a book of literary essays, penned down by veteran Dogri writer Prof Lalit Magotra, was released today by B R Sharma, Chief Secretary, Govt of J&K, in the presence of JU Vice-Chancellor Prof R D Sharma, Secretary, Culture, Hemant Sharma and a galaxy of who’s who’ in the field of Literature.
The released book is a collection of key-note addresses delivered by Prof Magotra in conferences, seminars and symposia and covers a wide range of topics of literature.
Prof Shashi Pathania, former Head of Dogri Department, JU, read paper on the released book. She highlighted the originality of thought and clarity of presentation in all the essays.
B R Sharma stressed the importance of literature in a society and noted that the recent spurt in Dogri writing is a welcome phenomenon. He urged the people in general and younger generation in particular to inculcate the habit of reading. He lauded the writers like Prof Magotra who are making efforts to enrich the life of people through their quality writings. He assured that the Government was committed to fully support the regional languages of the State in every manner.
Prof R D Sharma, while delivering his presidential address, emphasized that a close cooperation and collaboration between the local writers and the Post Graduate Department of Dogri can go a long way in the development and promotion of this language.
Hemant Sharma expressed his concern on fast vanishing aspects of cultural heritage. He said that not only there is need to showcase our cultural heritage, but we must keep our cultural traditions alive in our day-to-day life. He recommended the involvement of College and School youth in this process.
Earlier Chhatrapal, president of Dogri Sanstha, delved on the merits of the released book and considered it as a significant addition to the corpus of Dogri Literature. He also raised certain demands for initiating steps and creating infrastructure to teach Dogri at primary and secondary level.
Prof Magotra also read out a short essay ‘Why do I Write’ from the released book.
The programme was organized by Dogri Sanstha and anchored by Dr Nirmal Vinod
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