Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 22: J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages Jammu today celebrated Dogri Maanta Divas by way of holding one day literary seminar in the KL Saigal Hall, here today. Padamshree Dr Ved Ghai, a renowned social activist and literary personality presided over the function. Dr Lalit Magotra, convener Dogri Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi, was the chief guest while Soujanya Sharma, Director Information guest of honour. Haroon Rashid, secretary of the Academy and Dr Arvinder Singh Amn, additional secretary were also present. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Ved Ghai appreciated the efforts of the Academy for celebrating ‘Dogri Maanta Divas’. She said that the papers presented on different subjects were complete in all respect and did full justification with the topic. She further said that celebrating ‘Dogri Maanta Divas’ can be fruitful only if every Dogra will realise the importance of Dogri language as mother tongue and will work for its development with zeal and zest. Dr Lalit Magotra, while delivering his lecture first of all complimented on the eve of ‘Dogri Maanta Divas’ and said that since the day Dogri language included in the 8th schedule of the Indian Constitution has done tremendous job in the field of language, culture and heritage. He further said that Governments have clear cut policies to promote, preserve and develop the regional languages included in the 8th schedule but now its up to the writers, scholars, intellectuals, linguistics and folk performers to get it implemented at ground level. Haroon Rashid while speaking on the occasion said that J&K Cultural Academy is already working to start the project “Dogri Encyclopaedia” and a number of other new projects are already in the pipeline to document, preserve and promote the literature being written in the area in general and in the folk of Jammu region in particular. Earlier, welcoming, Dr Arvinder Singh Amn, informed about the detailed activities of the Academy and said that on December 23, a release function of Special issue of Sheeraza Hindi “A Tribute to Late Prof OP Gupt, a prominent Hindi poet, scholar and critic and to commemorate the birth centenary of Begum Akhtar, an internationally famous singer, a musical evening based on the songs sung by Begum Akhtar on December 24 are being organised at K.L Saigal Hall. Dr Om Goswami presented his paper on the topic “Dogri Lok Varta, Chunoutian Te Awsar”, Prof. Lalit Gupta presented a paper on “Dogra Virsat, Chunoutian Te Awsar” and Prof Veena Gupta presented her paper on “Dogri Bhasha, Chunoutian Te Awsar” which were highly appreciated. The proceedings were conducted by Dr RL Basotra while vote of thanks was presented by Ashok Gupta, editor Dogri.
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