Raju�s captivating short stories

Pratibha SharmaThe maiden literary venture of Rajeshwar� Singh Raju� with 18�� short stories in Dogri� language has been widely welcomed in the Dogri literary circles and gained popularity among the readership.This 136-page Dogri book was formally released only last week at an impressive function held amidst a large number of leading literary figures at Saigal� Hall, in the Cultural Academy complex, Jammu.� The Minister for Planning and Development, Ajay Sadhotra formally released the book. Mr Sadhotra described the new publication as important addition to the Dogri�� literature and expressed the hope� that the writer would continue� to make much more contribution in years to come.Prof. Nilamber Sharma, former Secretary, Academy of Art, Culture and Lanuages, who presided over the furnction , stressed the need� for� dedicated efforts in promoting Dogri�� language� and congratulated the writer for his literary contribution.Zest for LifeThe author, Rajeshwar Singh Raju, who is presently working as Manager in the J&K Bank, shared his experiences in different fields of art and culture and dwelt upon the book which he has dedicated� to his parents:� Maya Devi and Sansar Singh, who really inspired him in the literary field. Mr. Raju�� started writing from the� young age and now often writes in Hindi, English and Dogril for� media of communication� , both print and electronic . He has to his credit� some documentaries and radio plays .� Khouhdal� is his first literary� venture� of 18 short stories in Dogri, few of which� have already been� carried in Sheeraza� and other Dogri periodicals.Renowned Dogri writer�� Ved Rahi , in the� Preface of the book , has observed that� Rajeshwar Singh has a gifted pen� to effectively�� communicate his experiences of life through the genre� of� short stories in Dogri language.� Mr. Raju�� has graduated to be a literary figure and has the distinction of portraying the art of story writing,� Mr Rahi� has noted that this book, Khouhdal is a� contribution to Dogri literature.This 136�page book has 18 selected stories�� on variety of human issues, problems of life� and cultural values.� He has depicted the psychological , sociological and economic conditions and tackled the issues through his � living characters � in an interesting and informative� way. His languages� is simple and� direct� which touches the deep sentiments of the readership.The very first story entitled � Hoar� Kae� Kardha?� is the story of a young boy who asserts his right to live or even� die .� This�� is�� a�� bit� controversial� indeed� but has some basic facts in the� fast changing society.� The second short story is also interesting�� and�� instructive .� Another masterpiece is the �Mera� Sagan- Mai Nai� Deena�� in which� an Army jawan� Paramjeet� marries the� village� belly� Satya who on the very first day� asked him to leave his most risky� Army job for her.� The�� jawan�� retorts � I extremely love wife as also my� duty to defend my motherland�. Story narrates that Paramjeet�� makes�� supreme�� sacrifice�� on�� the� disturbed� border.� Satya cherishes the memory�� of her� martyr husband� throughout her life as a � prized possession�.Interesting StoriesIn� �Ghutan� a girl Malivika from remote village,� Malivika� gets married to� Jugal ,who later got� posted in a� multinational company in Mumbai and went� to join his new job leaving behind his wife in his native place.� Gradually, Malivika� feels loneliness� and felt �Ghutan�. As per the story� Jugal� accompanied by his� lady secretary� comes to meet his wife which sprouts seeds of suspicion in the mind of Malivika. But the air is completely cleared by� Jugal� by his truthful assurance of� sincerity to his wife. Thereafter, the life flows on smoothly.� There are� a dozen of other interesting, instructive stories in this book.Useful Literary WorkThe printing and overall production of the book is of good quality. Though it� has been priced at the higher level� but the literary merit will make this book essential reading material of the Dogri literature.� Mr. Raju�� has carved out a�� niche in the literary circle and� is striving for making much more rich contribution to language and literature.� It is expected that Khouhdal� will certainly be read by large number of� people� and� also adorn� it on their book shelves.(Starline Syndicate Service)