Dogri Sanstha Jammu, celebrating its Platinum Jubilee, organised a simple but impressive programme in which Ashok Dutta was conferred with Prof. Ram Nath Shastri Memorial Award for the year 2019 for his book of short stories “Sochen Di Reehl”. The award was given away by Khurshid Ahmad Ganai, Hon’ble Advisor to the Hon’ble Governor of J&K State, who was the Chief Guest on this occasion.
This prestigious Award is given every year to an author for his first Dogri book, published during last five years. This year there were 17 contender books, out of which the jury selected the said book. The award has been instituted by the family members of Late. Prof. Ram Nath Shastri and carries a cheque of Rs.21,000/-, a Momento and a shawl.
Another highlight of the program was honoring Dogri Teachers of Higher Secondary schools for promoting the Dogri Language by ensuring that maximum students opt to study Dogri subject in their schools. The teachers who were honored by the Chief Guest include Dr. Ashok Khajuria, Dr. Usha Rani, Vijay Kumar, Roshan Bral, Dr. Shashi Bajaj, Dr Chanchal Bhasin, Vicky Sharma and Manju Sharma.
At the same occasion Mr. Ganai, also inaugurated a One-day Seminar on the topic “Movement of Dogri and Dogri Sanstha“. Two paper reading sessions followed the inaugural session, which were presided over by Prof. Ved Kumari Ghai and Dr. Jitender Udhampuri. Those who presented their papers in these sessions include Chattrapal, Prof. Veena gupta, Prof. Shashi Pathania and Dr. Nirmal Vinod.
Mr. Ganai, while speaking on the occasion congratulated all those who had been honored and awarded in the function. He complemented Dogri Sanstha for organizing the programme and for consistently working for promotion and development of Dogri for past 75 years.He said that J&K State is fortunate to have such a rich diversity of languages and cultures all of which are co-existing and flourishing in harmonious manner. He also said that we should take pride in our unique heritage which is symbol of our strength and an example to follow for whole of the country. He assured that the government is committed to promote all languages of the State and he will do his best
to contribute to it.
Earlier Prof. Lalit magotra, President of Dogri Sanstha while welcoming the audience, made a brief mention of the journey of Dogri Sanstha in past 75 years, spoke on the merits of the awarded book and underlined the importance of the efforts made by the school teachers to promote and popularize Dogri language.
The papers presented in the paper reading sessions shed a new light on many aspects of the history of Dogri literature and functioning of Dogri Sanstha which were less known or unknown so far. The papers established that the Sanstha has played a leading role in meeting the requirements of this fast developing language from time to time.
The program was conducted by Prof. Shashi Pathania. Prof. Veena Gupta read out the citation for the awarded author and for those honored on this occasion.
At the conclusion of the inaugural session Gianeshwar Sharma , Vice President of Dogri Sanstha thanked the Chief Guest, audience and the media.
