Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 29: ‘Satt Kahaniyan’, a book of short stories in Dogri for children, was released today by Dogri Sanstha, Jammu, in a simple but impressive function held at Dogri Bhavan, Karan Nagar, Jammu.
The book has been written by veteran Dogri poet and Sahitya Akademi awardee, Gianeshwar Sharma.
Sham Lal Sharma, former Cabinet Minister was the chief guest on the occasion. Prof Lalit Magotra, president of Dogri Sanstha, presided over the function. A number of writers, scholars and prominent members of civil society attended the programme.
While speaking on the occasion, Sham Lal Sharma said that it is very heartening that senior writers like Gianeshwar are meeting the challenges of the present times by creating literature for children, who are fast getting alienated from their mother-tongue and culture.
He said that the only way to preserve and promote our cultural heritage is to focus on imbibing a sense of pride among the younger generation for our culture, language & literature and to achieve it mother-tongue is the strongest link.
Prof Lalit Magotra, in his presidential address, said that onus of survival of Dogri mostly lies with the Dogra community, but he regretted that the State Government is dismally failing in its obligation to promote Dogri through educational set-up of the State.
A paper on the released book was read out by Dr Ashok Khajuria highlighting the merits of the book. Other attractive feature of the programme was the views of a young reader, Varida Sharma, who had read some of the stories printed in the book.
Gianeshwar Sharma made some suggestions to popularize Dogri among the youngsters, like dubbing the popular animation serials on television in Dogri, institution of children literature awards by J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages on the pattern of Sahitya Akademi and organizing children play competitions by the State Academy on annual basis.
The programme was conducted by Susheel Begana, literary secretary of the Sanstha and Dr Nirmal Vinod, general secretary of the Sanstha, presented the vote of thanks.
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