Dogri Sanstha Jammu elects new Executive Body

The elections of Dogri Sanstha Jammu, one of the oldest and most respected literary
organizations of the region, were held at Dogri Sanstha Jammu today with great enthusiasm. A large number of members actively participated, reaffirming their dedication to the promotion, preservation and growth of the Dogri language, literature and culture. The entire democratic process was conducted smoothly and transparently under the supervision of Col. Raz Manawari, who served as the Presiding Officer and ensured fair, efficient and inclusive proceedings. In these elections, eminent Dogri writer, scholar and Padmashri awardee Prof. Lalit Magotra was elected as the President and eminent Sahitya Akademi and State Awardee Dogri, Hindi and English writer Rajeshwar Singh ‘Raju’ as General Secretary of Dogri Sanstha Jammu. Along with them, distinguished academicians and writers Prof. Veena Gupta, Prof. Shashi Pathania and Inderjeet Kesar were elected as Vice Presidents, Susheel Begana was elected as Literary Secretary, Pawan Verma as Secretary, Vijay Thakur as Publicity Secretary and Ashok Khajuria as Treasurer, completing a dynamic and committed executive body. Before the election process commenced, outgoing General Secretary Rajeshwar Singh ‘Raju’ presented a comprehensive three-year report, offering a detailed account of the activities and achievements of the Sanstha during the previous term. The report highlighted the organization of over a hundred literary programmes, including seminars, symposia, book releases, writers’ interactions and commemorative events. It also showcased major publication projects, support for young and emerging writers, collaborations with cultural and academic institutions, and extensive online literary activities. Special emphasis was placed on documentation and preservation projects aimed at safeguarding rare Dogri manuscripts, oral narratives and traditional cultural expressions.

The report was widely appreciated by the members for its depth, clarity and reflection of
sincere, consistent effort. After the declaration of results, Padmashri Prof. Lalit Magotra
expressed profound gratitude to the members for their trust. He emphasized that Dogri
Sanstha Jammu has long served as a guiding force in the Dogri literary movement, and the new team will work tirelessly to strengthen its role further. He stressed the importance of expanding Dogri’s presence at national and international forums, promoting research-based literary work, supporting young writers and strengthening cultural discourse within the community. General Secretary Rajeshwar Singh ‘Raju’ also expressed heartfelt thanks for the renewed faith of the members. He assured that the new term would focus on enhancing organizational efficiency, broadening literary initiatives, increasing publication activities and strengthening Dogri outreach across educational institutions, cultural platforms and digital media. He reiterated his commitment to teamwork, transparency and sustained creative engagement. The election concluded in a positive and harmonious atmosphere, symbolizing the unity and shared vision of the Dogri literary fraternity. The newly elected executive body expressed confidence in taking Dogri Sanstha Jammu to greater heights and reaffirmed its commitment to preserving, enriching and promoting the Dogri language and culture in the years ahead.