Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 19: Minister for Housing, Horticulture and Culture Raman Bhalla today said that Government has accorded first priority to promote the languages spoken in the State.
This was stated by the Minister while addressing a large gathering, after laying foundation stone of Punjabi Lekhak Bhawan at W. No. 46 at Rani Talab in Digiana, here today.
Commissioner Jammu Municipal Corporation Kiran Wattal, President Dogri Sanstha, Lalit Magotra, President Punjab Lekhak Sabha, Devinder Singh Vishavnagrik besides large number of Dogri and Punjabi writers, poets and prominent citizens were present on the occasion.
Mr. Bhalla informed that the Punjabi Lekhak Bhawan would be completed at an estimated cost of Rs. 40 lakh with the facilities of toilet block and kitchen. He asked the Jammu Municipal Corporation to complete the bhawan within minimum possible time frame.
He said that Punjabi is the only language which is spoken not only in J&K and North India but in every part of the country and whole world also. He said that Punjabis settled across the globe have preserved their culture, language and literature.
Describing the literature and literary works of a particular age as the reflection of the existing social environment, the Minister said that the writers and poets who are the guardians of the literacy traditions of a society enrich it further by adding new thoughts matching the changing times.
Listing various steps taken by the Government to promote various languages of the State, Mr. Bhalla said the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art , Culture and Languages is doing a yeoman’s job in this direction.
Earlier, Mr. Bhalla inaugurated one-day Bal Mela-cum-Science Exhibition at R M Public School at Chowadhi in Sainik Colony.
Swami Hriday Nand Giriji, Deputy Inspector General of Police Shakeel Ahmed Beig, Padamshree Dr. Jitendra Udhampuri besides students of JK Public School, Shiksha Niketan Senior Secondary School, Alexendra Memorial School, Tarapuri High School, teaching and non-teaching staff members of the R M Public School were present on the occasion.
Students of R M Public School presented a colourful cultural programme which was highly applauded by the present audience.
Mr. Bhalla, later also kick started construction work of slab over nallah at Trikuta Nagar in Sector-5 of Ward No 54, for which Government has earmarked Rs.2.50 lakh.
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