JK Governor for promotion of Dogri language

Scoop News February 05, 2013

Jammu,February 5 (Scoop News) –N. N. Vohra, Governor, today called for identification, collection, preservation and codification of all available old manuscripts in Dogri for undertaking research for the enrichment of literature and promoting this language.

The Governor, as Chief Guest, was inaugurating a 2-day Conference on “Dogri: Challenges and Opportunities”, organized by the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, at Government Degree College for Women, Gandhi Nagar, here today.

The Governor observed that considerable good work is being done by various organizations and significant valuable literature is being published every year, which is further enriching Dogri language. He called upon the Cultural Academy, Dogri Sanstha and all those associated with the promotion of Dogri language and literature to come up with a 5 to 7 year Action Plan, indicating the areas which require greater focus and assured that, for implementing the envisaged plan, all possible support would be provided by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board.

The Governor suggested for bringing out a monthly tabloid in Dogri language for the benefit of Dogri knowing people, which could be gradually converted into a fortnightly and subsequently brought out as a weekly publication. He observed that this publication could be utilized as an effective medium by upcoming writers for having their contributions published. The magazine could also bring out extracts from the works of known Dogri writers. Such an initiative could go a long way in the promotion of Dogri language. He observed that if requisite priorities are fixed and agreed strategies put in place, the promotion of Dogri as a popular spoken language can grow on a sustained basis.

Earlier, the Governor lit the ceremonial lamp to mark the commencement of the Conference.

Raman Bhalla, Minister for Housing, Horticulture and Culture, speaking on the occasion, said that the 2-day conference will provide an excellent opportunity to discuss ways and means for the promotion of Dogri language and literature. He added that the roadmap evolved during the conference would help in the growth of Dogri language. He said that all required measures would be taken for the promotion of this language.

Devender Singh Rana, MLC, speaking on the occasion, said that people in particular have a significant role in the promotion of any language, adding that everyone should feel proud in speaking his mother tongue alongside learning other languages. He added that with the inclusion of Dogri in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, new opportunities have come up for the promotion of this language.

Prof. Lalit Magotra, President, Dogri Sanstha, in his Keynote Address, congratulated Khalid Bashir Ahmad, Secretary, Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, for presenting his welcome address in Dogri language. He extensively dwelt on the challenges and opportunities for the promotion of Dogri language and called for effective utilization of new technologies to achieve this objective.

In his welcome address, Khalid Bashir Ahmad, Secretary, Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, threw light on the activities of the Academy aimed at the promotion of various languages in the State. His choosing to speak in Dogri language was received with huge applause by the audience and drew appreciation from writers and scholars of Dogri.

Speaking about aims and objects of organizing this Conference, he said that it will be spread over five working sessions. He also gave details about the papers to be presented during the Conference. He thanked the Governor for taking keen interest in the activities of the Cultural Academy.

Two Dogri Bhakhs were presented on this occasion by Praduman Singh, Mrs. Krishna Kumari, Ms. Usha Sharma and Ms. Chinmay Sharma.

Ajaz Ahmad Jan, MLA, a number of prominent writers, including Mrs. Padma Sachdev, Dr. Ved Kumari Ghai, Nilamber Dev Sharma, Dr. Jitendra Udhampuri, N. D. Jamwal, Dogri lovers, prominent citizens, Principal, Faculty members and students of the college were present on the occasion.

Mrs. Savita Bakshi, Additional Secretary, Cultural Academy, presented a Vote of Thanks.

After the inaugural session, two sessions of paper reading were held today. In the first session, Darshan Darshi presented the Theme Paper of the Conference which was followed by observations by a host of participants including Prof. Nilambar Dev Sharma, Padma Sachdev, Prof. Lalit Mangotra, Prof. Champa Sharma Shiv Niormohi and Hasrat Gadda. In the second session, Prof. Veena Gupta, Prakash Premi and Dr. Om Goswami read out their papers on Dogri Bhasha and Dogri Sahitya focussing on challenges and opportunities. The papers also generated healthy discussion.

MORE AT http://scoopnews.in/det.aspx?q=26750

Tags: Action Plan , Dogri Language , JK Governor