Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 9: Dogri Sanstha celebrated its 70th Foundation Day by felicitating writers who have excelled in the field of literature and won recognition at national level.
Those who were felicitated include Prof Ved Kumari Ghai for having been conferred Padma Shri, Sita Ram Sapolia and late Bal Krishan Bhaura for having won Sahitya Akademi Awards for Dogri for the years 2012 and 2013 respectively. Prof Shashi Pathania for being conferred Sahitya Akademi Translation Award for the year 2012, Dr Bansi Lal Sharma and Krishan Sharma for getting Sahitya Akademi Awards for Children Literature in Dogri for the years 2012 and 2013 and respectively and Dr Yash Raina and Dheeraj Kesar for winning Sahitya Akademi Awards in Dogri in the Young Writers’ category for the years 2012 and 2013 respectively.
Those felicitated were presented a memento and a shawl by Sham Lal Sharma, Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control, who was the chief guest on this occasion.
Citations were read for each of the felicitated writer on behalf of Dogri Sanstha by its general secretary, Prof Veena Gupta.
The programme started with the screening of the Tarana of Dogri Sanstha, written and musically composed by Brij Mohan, directed by Sudesh Verma and designed and conceptualized by Chhatrapal.
The Tarana depicts the history of Dogri Sanstha and growth of Dogri literature over the last 70 years. The programme was attended by a galaxy of writers and prominent personalities of civil society.
Sham Lal Sharma, while speaking on the occasion, congratulated the felicitated writers for having won national recognition and lauded the efforts of the Dogri writers fraternity for bringing laurels to their mother tongue by their efforts. He also praised and commended the consistent manner in which Dogri Sanstha has been tirelessly working for the promotion and development of Dogri.
He urged upon Dogras to encourage their children to speak in Dogri so that this sweet and beautiful language thrives in future.
Earlier Prof Lalit Magotra, while welcoming the audience, reiterated the commitment of Dogri Sanstha for continuing to work, progress and growth of Dogri language and literature. He lamented about the step-motherly treatment given to Dogri language by State Government by not implementing the policy of teaching Dogri at Primary and Middle level of school education in Dogri speaking areas. He also urged upon the Central Government and other concerned authorities to launch “Duggar Channel’ to highlight the composite and diverse culture of the Duggar and to counter the false propaganda of the neighboring country in language, which is understood on both sides of border.
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