Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 2: A deputation of All Artist’s Welfare Association, Jammu (AAWAJ) led by Dr. Kamal Sharma President met with Priya Sethi MoS, Education, Information and Culture here today at her residence-cum-office, Wazarat road Jammu.
The deputation of an artist’s fraternity congratulated the Minister for New year 2016 and also extended their best wishes for success, progress and prosperity by presenting a flower bouquet on this occasion.
The members apprised the Minister about the many difficulties being faced by the artists fraternity especially indigenous and theatre artists.
The deputation also made apprised the Minister that for the last three years pension in favor of the artists and the writers has not been released while few of which have passed away.
The deputationists also urged that the drama competition may be replaced as theatre festival so that maximum participation of theatre groups was possible which will also create a conducive and congenial atmosphere during the festival and after its culmination too.
While apprising the Minister about the functioning of the Academy Dr. Kamal Sharma said that the Academy is known for the promotion and dissemination of art and culture but unfortunately since the last many years in the regime of previous Govt. neither there is any Culture Officer nor a man from the art which indicates that there is a deliberate intention of some vested interests inside the Academy to crush the Dogra culture and heritage.
The Minister assured the deputation that she will take an early action at her end in order to alleviate the art and the artists as well.
Meanwhile the members ‘AAWAJ’ also met with Dr. Gagan Bhagat , M.L.A {R. S Pura }, Raman Bhalla former Minister and Dr. Aziz Hajni, secretary J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, Vijay Singh Sambyal Director Radio Kashmir Jammu and discussed the issues of artists with them.
The artists who were in the deputation included Ravi Tickoo ,Sudesh Manhas, Santosh Bandral, Seema Dogra, Neeraj Sethi Er. Vijay Sharma. Ravinder Sharma , Rani Kulbir Kour and Neha Raina