Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 22: J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (JKAACL) today organized 2-day All India Dogri Writers’ Conference titled ‘Dogri Maanta Divas’ here at Abhinav theatre, Jammu.
Darshan Darshi, Eminent Dogri Poet and Convener, Dogri Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi presided over the function while Major Gen (Retd), Goverdhan Singh Jamwal, was the chief guest.
Prof Lalit Magotra, prominent Dogri Short-story writer, poet, intellectual and president, Dogri Sanstha Jammu, Dr Aziz Hajini, secretary and Dr Arvinder Singh Amn, additional secretary, JKAACL, were also present in the presidium.
While addressing the gathering, Major Gen (Retd), Goverdhan Singh Jamwal, said that the Army particularly Dogra regiments emerged as custodians of preserving Dogri folk, music and cuisines in their day today life. He said that youth must be involved in history, Dogri literature, Dogra folk and Dogra cuisines so that they can be projected as the ambassadors of the Dogra region.
While delivering his presidential address, Darshan Darshi endorsed the comments of the chief guest to rediscover the historical facts, channelizing the factual history. He said writers can contribute a lot in this regard as literature reflects the local dialects, culture and represents the social issues.
In his key-note address, Prof Lalit Magotra said that the literature portrays the prevailing situation of the respective area and highlights social issues like unemployment, the worries of population situated in border areas of the Jammu region and the challenges of Dogri literature in comparison with the contemporary world literature. He further emphasized on introduction of Dogri language in schools, child literature, use of social media, computer and English linking with Dogri language and literature.
Dr Aziz Hajini said that the need for collective and sustained efforts by all to promote Dogri culture and literature was highlighted in the present scenario by our prominent and young fiction writers. He said that this conference is an important part of those sincere efforts in which overall Dogri language with special reference to prose writing will be discussed.
Some Dogri publications brought out by JKAACL were also released on the occasion. The first session of the conference was held on the topic “Bara 2017 Ch Dogri Sahitya Gi Mukami Sansthayen Da Yogdaan and Bara 2017 Da Dogri Natak Sahitya.
The second session was on paper reading session and the third session was short story reading session. Today’s programme concluded by Dogri Lok Sangeet presented by Dogri folk artists.
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