JAMMU, Dec 22 : Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh participated in the celebrations of Dogri Manyata Diwas, emphasising that it is the esteem of linguistic pride that sustains a language and it’s legacy, and that applies to the Dogri language as well.
The government patronage is essential but the engagement of civil society is equally important, he said, citing the example of Bangla language and it’s sustained richness.
The Minister urged people from all walks of life to take pride in the Dogri ethos, language, and cultural heritage. He emphasized that language is not merely a medium of communication but a core component of culture and identity.
The Minister highlighted that under the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government this is one of the better times happening for Dogri to realise its legacy and carrying forward to the next generation as a medium of making them an essential part of the mainstream journey of India’s growth story. The Modi Govt, he said, gives high priority to thr promotion of regional languages.
Congratulating all stakeholders on the successful observance of Dogri Manyata Diwas, Dr. Jitendra Singh said that such initiatives at the social level, undertaken with enthusiasm and commitment, are highly commendable. He noted that this celebration was made a reality due to the dedicated efforts of the organisers and the collective efforts of the Dogra community.
The Minister highlighted that the Government has been consistently promoting diverse cultural initiatives across the country, with special emphasis on the promotion of regional languages. He encouraged people to make the most of these initiatives for cultural heritage and language preservation.
“Government works for welfare, but society must also take ownership,” he said, adding that local communities, civil society, and other stakeholders must work together to strengthen cultural roots.
Drawing parallels, Dr. Jitendra Singh cited the example of Bangla language, which flourished due to strong societal roots. He recalled the strong influence of stalwarts like Rabindranath Tagore, noting that no external influence could dilute Bengali linguistic identity even when the British chose to have Calcutta as their capital.
The Minister stressed that language survives when people internalize it as a matter of pride, adding that the youth need to play a proactive role in its preservation and they must remain connected to their roots while adapting language to modern contexts.
Acknowledging the glory of the past, the Minister asserted that India also has immense contemporary talent that needs to be highlighted. He called for constructive and independent measures for developing the Dogra language and legacy, urging people to be proud of their heritage, while not adopting the futuristic trends, citing the words of Syama Prasad Mukherjee.
Highlighting the role of the younger generation, Dr Jitendra Singh suggested reaching out to Dogra children of Gen Z through their medium of communication. He advised using digital platforms and modern tools to promote and enrich the Dogri language by creating content related to, for example, StartUps etc, which could be relevant to the youngsters.
On the occasion, a monograph on Sahitya Akademi Award winners in Dogri was unveiled. The monograph documents the contributions of 52 Sahitya Akademi awardees in Dogri, who were felicitated by the Minister for their invaluable contribution to Dogri literature. Several organizations actively engaged in the promotion and preservation of Dogri language and culture were also felicitated.
The event concluded with a renewed collective resolve to safeguard, promote, and celebrate the Dogri language and cultural heritage with commitment and pride.
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