Jammu Senior BJP leader Mr Devender Singh Rana Monday called for big societal role in preservation and promotion of Dogri, suggesting that a corpus fund could be a viable initiative to put this sweet language on a wider canvass through various mediums like film and music industry.
He said “Language is the identity of any nation, community and ethnicity and therefore we must bequeath our posterity the sweetest and richest mother tongue of their ancestors”. Former ministers and senior BJP leaders Pawan Gupta, Rajiv Jasrotia, Prem Sagar Aziz , Naryan Singh and Chairman Team Jammu, Zorawar Singh Jamwal also spoke on the occasion.
Devender Rana was speaking after releasing a Dogri album ‘Dudu Basantgarh Di Guchhi’, penned and directed by Mohan Singh Slathia, sung by Raman Slathia, Nirbhay Singh Slathia, Surinder Manhas and Vanshika Jaral , composed by Nirbhay Singh Slathia , Music Directed by Surinder Singh Manhas while DOP Editing and Grade is by K K Malhotra Films.
Mr Rana also pleaded for formulating a SPV for preservation and development of Parmandal – the Chotta Kashi– Devak, Old heritage temples, heritage ponds and Durbargarh- the Mubarak Mandi Complex, saying that these are the real treasure which have been inherited and, therefore, these need to be preserved and developed in a big way.
Referring to the popularity of Punjabi beyond regional and continental boundaries, the Senior BJP leader said this has been possible because of the overwhelming support of the people, diasporas, film and music industry. Similarly, the Dogri language has to be promoted at a larger scale with sincerity of purpose by one and all, irrespective of region, religion or caste, he added.
On the vehement demand for adequate slot for Dogri on Jammu Doordarshan, Mr Rana said that he has taken up the matter with the Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mr Anurag Thakur, who has assured that this will be examined earnestly.
He called for introspection, saying if Dogri has to be preserved and promoted, the first prerequisite is use of the mother tongue in regular day to day interactions. He said death of language amounts to the death of the soul and exhorted intelligentsia, artists and folk singers to play their designated role in restoring the pristine glory of this rich language in the larger interest of bringing Dogras together.
Speaking on the occasion, Former Minister, Mr Pawan Gupta suggested pro-active approach by intellectuals and artists in promoting Dogri. He observed that perhaps it may be easy to deliver sermons and indulge in rhetoric about the promotion and preservation of the mother tongue but there is a need for a collective effort to work in this regard.
Mr Gupta regretted that most of the people are shying away from making use of Dogri in their homes. Growing trend of ignoring the mother tongue in the mistaken belief of English and other languages seen as a sign of modernity is unfortunate, he said, adding that there should be an intense urge to learn other languages but not at the cost of mother tongue.
Former Minister, Mr Prem Sagar Aziz lauded the efforts of artistes in promoting Dogri and urged the intellectuals to redouble their efforts in restoring Dogri to its pristine glory.
Mr Sagar, however, saw a silver lining in the wake of some popular singers and radio jockeys doing their best in popularizing Dogri by preparing albums and giving performances at various events.
Saying that Dogri is rich in content and lucid in delivery, Former Minister, Mr Rajiv Jasrotia that the language has huge potential to grow and bring communities together.
Mr Jasrotia exhorted intelligentsia to work out a multi-pronged strategy to sustain and promote the sweet language of the Duggarland.
Sr. BJP Leader, Mr Narayan Singh complimented the huge role being played by writers, intellectuals and artists in promoting Dogri over the years and said it is due to their efforts the lovers of Dogri are getting master piece writings that not only depict the richness of Jammu’s glorious heritage but also unfold the essence of this language.
Chairman Team Jammu, Mr. Zorawar Singh while speaking on the occasion stressed upon the need of including Dogri subject in the schools.
He said languages are essentially to bind the people and the mother tongue can play a great role in this regard. He also complemented the Slathia brothers and his team for this album.
Prominent among those present on the occasion included Jagdish Khajuria, Randhir Singh Manhas, Chander Sekhar, K K Sharma and others.
