Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, June 10: A delegation of senior officers of Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages today called on Minister for Finance and Culture ,Dr Haseeb A Drabu at civil Secretariat.
Led by Dr Javaid Rahi , Chief Editor of Academy , the delegation informed Dr Drabu that a number of important books , Dictionaries, Encyclopaedias’, anthologies were destroyed in the devastating flood in September last and requested the Minister for special help in re-printing of more than 1000 books in Kashmiri, Urdu, Gojri, Pahari, Shina , Balti and Ladakhi , as maximum of these books are presently out of stock.
The delegation also highlighted the issues with regard to digitization of important Manuscripts, literary works, rare books published by the Academy since 1958 to till date which required special funding from the Government.
The delegation also highlighted the issues of opening of Tagore Hall, Abhinav Theatre and construction of a medium size Halls for literary conferences , Seminars, workshops and other literary activities.
The delegation also discussed the issues with regard to development of various languages and sought his intervention on various problems being faced by Academy officials.
The delegation also requested the Minister to visit Cultural Academy complex.
Dr Haseeb A Drabu assured the delegation that he will shortly review the working of Academy and will made it a vibrant institution.He also assured all financial help to Academy.
Those who were in the delegation included Chief Editor Mohammad Ashraf Tak, Spcial Officer for Cultural Activities G-1 Nazir Hussain, Sr, Editor English Abid Ahmed, Editor Urdu Saleem Salik, Editor cum Cultural Officer Shah Nawaz Khatana, Special Officer for Culture Ali Mohammmad Tak and other officials.