Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 22: On the occasion of 20th `Dogri Maanta Diwas’, various organizations held special programmes to commemorate the day, here today.
In a function in this regard by Nami Dogri Sanstha (NDS), former Deputy Chief Minister Kavinder Gupta was the chief guest while senior journalist Nishikant Khajuria presided over the event. Nidhi Dogra Sharma, Patron Dogra Samaj Trust Mumbai, and daughter of Late Girdhari Lal Dogra, was the guest of honour and Parveen Sharma, Chairman of the Citizens’ Co-operative Bank Ltd Jammu, was special guest. Prof Anupama Sharma, Patron NDS, Capt Lalit Sharma Convener NDS and Advocate Dogra Harish Kaila, President NDS, shared the dais.
On the occasion, four senior journalists, namely Surinder Sagar, Ritesh Gupta, Rajinder Kitchloo and Jang Singh Verman were felicitated for their outstanding services in the field of Journalism in general and for propagating the cause of Dogri language and culture in particular. Click here to watch video
In his address, Kavinder Gupta stressed the need to encourage all, particularly children to start speaking Dogri in their homes. Nishikant Khajuria said that new generation has started associating with Dogri and our rich heritage. Parveen Sharma said that we have to produce good quality literature and take help of emerging technology to take Dogri language to every household. Nidhi Dogra Sharma said that our elite class has to come forward and lead from the front to re-establish our strong connect with Dogri and its heritage. Prof Anupama Sharma called for new experiments in the field of Dogri Music bringing to the taste and likings of younger generation.
Yash Pal Yash, General Secretary NDS, conducted proceedings of the programme while Capt Lalit Sharma threw light on history of Dogri Maanta Diwas. Dr Sushil Bhola presented vote of thanks.
Dogri Sanstha Jammu celebrated ‘Dogri Maanta Divas’ in a simple but an impressive function wherein B R Sharma, Election Commissioner, Jammu & Kashmir, was the chief guest. Ravi Shankar Sharma, Special Secretary Higher Education was special guest and Prof Lalit Magotra, President Dogri Sanstha Jammu, presided over the function.
During the function, Sahitya Akademi Awardee of last year, Prof Veena Gupta, Dr Nirmal Vinod and this year’s Bal Sahitya Puraskar awardee Balwan Singh Jamoria; Dheeraj Bismil, Yuva Puraskar awardee and veteran Dogri litterateurs Puran Chand Sharma, Tara Chand Kalandaria, Dr Bansi Lal Sharma, eminent actor Arvind Anand, media personality Sudesh Verma and flute player Rakesh Anand were honoured.
In his address, B R Sharma said that we should be concerned about our mother tongue and promote it right from our own home. Ravi Shankar Sharma said that it is a special day which makes us to realize our duties towards our roots which get nourished by mother tongue while Prof Lalit Magotra recalled the contributions made by Dogri Sanstha for the last so many years for preserving and promoting Dogri language.
On this occasion, a musical evening was also organized. The proceedings were conducted by Pawan Verma whereas vote of thanks was presented by Rajeshwar Singh ‘Raju’.
JKAACL celebrated Dogri Maanta Divas at K L Saigal Hall Academy premises. On the occasion, Seema Sehgal presented a song on Maanta Diwas, written by Late Yash Sharma. A discussion was held on 20 years of Dogri after inclusion in the 8th schedule. The dignitaries in the discussion were Prof Lalit Magotra, Prof Veena Gupta and Padamshree Mohan Singh. A Kavi Goshti was also organized.
Secretary JKAACL, Bharat Singh Manhas assured to provide every possible support to protect and flourish Dogri language. The dignitaries who shared the presidium were- Rashpal Singh, Additional Commissioner to Commissioner Finance as chief guest, Padamshree Dr Jitender Udhampuri, Prakash Premi and Dhyan Singh.
The poetry session was followed by folk songs presentation by Kamla Devi and party (Bhaakh), Khajoor Singh and Party (Geetru) and Mohan Lal and Party (Jattar). Reeta Khadyal conducted the proceedings whereas vote of thanks was presented by Dr Shahnawaz.
On the occasion of Dogri Maanta Diwas, Dogra Group of Colleges and JK Ex Services League signed a MoU for celebration of important days of Dogra heroes and for promotion and preservation of values of patriotism & brotherhood among the people of Duggar land.
Th Gulchain Singh Charak, President Dogra Sadar Sabha and former Cabinet Minister, spoke on the occasion and recalled the sustained struggle of the DSS and other organisations, luminaries of Dogri language and members of civil society, which had resulted in getting the Dogri language included in the 8th Schedule of Indian Constitution.
Lt Gen (Retd) R K Sharma, in his address, assured that all necessary steps for achieving the goals mentioned in MoU will be taken in collaboration with the youth of the colleges.
Others, who spoke on the occasion, included Ravi Kant Sharma, Senior Annnouncer Akashwani Jammu and G A Khwaja, Retd DC. A special appeal was made to Lt Governor Manoj Sinha to introduce Dogri language in all schools and colleges.
The Department of Linguistics & Literature, School of Humanities & Liberal Arts, Cluster University of Jammu, organized Dogri Maanta Diwas. The occasion was graced by the chief guest, Padma Shree Mohan Singh Salathia.
Speaking on the occasion, Vice Chancellor of the Cluster University, Prof Bechan Lal stressed the need for communication in mother tongue, for the upliftment of the Duggar heritage. Mohan Singh Salathia focussed on the need to embrace our linguistic identity and make it a part and parcel to ignite the respect for our Duggar civilization. The Dean, School of Humanities and Liberal Arts, Dr Monika Sharma exhorted the audience and students to put forth the efforts in preserving the Dogri heritage. Dr Reena Salaria, HoD Linguistics & Literature, highlighted the historical and cultural significance of the Duggar ethnicity.
The address was followed by a special Kavi Goshthi in Dogri in which various students from Constituent colleges of CLUJ and Degree Colleges of Jammu participated. One Act Play in Dogri, was also presented by the students of Department of Distance Education, JU.
Post Graduate Department of Dogri, University of Jammu celebrated Dogri Maanta Diwas in a simple but impressive function held in the Department wherein Prof Sucheta Pathania, Dean Faculty of Arts, was the chief guest.
A function started with Prof Sushma Sharma, former HoD of Dogri welcoming the guests, who included Dr Padam Dev Singh, Dr Sandeep Dubey, Dr Radha, Dr Shashi Bharti along and others.
Renowned Dogri Artists Santosh Sangra, J R Sagar, Janak Khajuria, Madan Rangila and Narang presented a radio play “Shekdiyan Dharan” Witten by Santosh Sangra. Student of 3rd Semester, Pankaj Sharma was part of the team of artists. Students of the department Taman, Neeru, Daleep Singh, Vejanti Mala, Raj Kumar, Sunita Devi recited their poems and Sudharshan Singh, Kanika Jamwal displayed the Dogra dress and Cuisine. A Scholar Savtentrta presented a short story.
On the occasion of Dogri Maanta Diwas, Jagmohan Sharma launched the second volume of his e-audio book in Dogri entitled ‘Kahaani Suni Sanaayi’ to tempt children of Jammu region with a craze to read, listen, speak and understand their own Dogri in an easy and interesting way. This is the first ever e-audio book in Dogri.
“I feel really bad when children and youngsters in urban milieu prefer speaking English or Hindi to Dogri. There is no harm in learning and speaking other languages but ignoring your own mother tongue of course is setting a bad precedent for others to follow,” said Jagmohan, who is a Dogri News reader and translator at Akashwani Jammu, who had recently the meaning and interpretation of Hanuman Chalisa in Dogri.
On Dogri Maanta Diwas, a special program was organized at Shiv Sena office wherein Shiv Sainiks raised placard with slogans “No Hello, No Namaste – only Jai Duggar”.
While addressing the gathering, Shiv Sena J&K President Manish Sahni stressed the need to communicate in mother tongue. He said that unless we respect our language, we will not be able to respect our culture, civilization and nation. Sahni called upon the people to make all efforts to promote Dogri language, art, culture and preserve the Dogra heritage. On this occasion president Mahila wing Meenakshi Chhibber, Gen secretary Vikas Bakshi, Chairman Rakesh Gupta, Sanjeev Kohli, Balwant Singh, Raj Singh, Mangu Ram and others were present.
Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) Jammu Kashmir hosted the “Duggar Da Maan” programme at Bahu Plaza, here, showcasing the vibrant Dogri culture on Dogri Manyata Diwas.
Programme was started with the two minutes silence for the martyrdom of the soldier in Poonch Sector and floral tributes to former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee who introduced Dogri in 8th Schedule in 2003.
A poignant moment unfolded as Sheetal Devi, the First Para Women Archer from Kishtwar, was honoured in absentia for bringing glory to the nation. In a heartfelt gesture, her parents and brother were also recognized during the event, acknowledging the collective pride of Kishtwar.
In his welcome speech, BJYM Jammu Kashmir president, Arun Prabhat, extended gratitude to all the writers, artists, performers and participants for their significant contributions to the promotion of culture.
Kavinder Gupta, former Deputy CM, was the chief guest and other senior functionaries including D K Manyal, Vibodh Gupta general secretaries JKBJP, Yudhvir Sethi, Balwant Mankotia, Rajinder Sharma, former Mayor, Rekha Mahajan , Anuradha Charak, Pramod Kapahi, Chander Mohan Sharma were also present.
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