Drawing strength from Dogra legacy, time to make mark in global world: Dr Jitendra

STATE TIMES NEWS

JAMMU: Union Minister, Dr Jitendra Singh said, drawing strength from the rich Dogra legacy, it is time now to make a mark in the global world of which India has already become an essential part after 2014 when Prime Minister Narendra Modi took over.

Addressing a programme organised to observe “Dogra Diwas” commemorating the inclusion of Dogri language in the Indian Constitution and the “Dogra Legacy Excellence Awards 2024” , Dr. Jitendra said, there was a rich Dogra legacy from the earlier times which has even, after partition, produced some internationally acclaimed icons like the famous Space Scientist and Founder ISRO Prof Satish Dhawan and renowned singer of the Indian subcontinent Malika Pokhraj or musicians like Shiv Kumar Sharma and Ustad Allah Rakha, though this may not be a very widely known fact in some sections.
He said, while celebrating the legacy gives us inspiration and confidence, nevertheless to keep the legacy alive for prosperity, it is equally important to carry it forward to the next destination which, in today’s context, would imply Dogra contribution in the making of Viksit Bharat of 2047.
Dr. Jitendra observed that in the last 10 years during the Modi regime, there has been a resurgence of Dogra pride and it is mainly attributable to some of the long awaited decisions taken by this government including declaring of holiday on the birthday of Maharaja Hari Singh , observing the Accession Day of Jammu & Kashmir and inclusion of Dogri as an official language.
He recalled that in his parliamentary constituency also, at the entry point of Jammu & Kashmir, Lakhanpur, for the first time a majestic statue of Maharaja Gulab Singh, the founder of Jammu & Kashmir State, was established in recent years.
Exhorting the Dogra community, particularly the youth, to be part of the mainstream growth story of India, Dr. Jitendra Singh said, India of today is no longer what it was about two decades ago.
He said, there is no dearth of talent or potential in Dogra youth but what is required is the change of mindset and liberation from the obsession for “Sarkari Naukri”.
He said, he sometimes feels pained to see youth on indefinite protest for a Rs.6,000 “Sarkari Naukri” when the Modi government has rolled out a series of attractive schemes, which promises a more lucrative source of livelihood. One of the examples is the Purple Revolution or the Lavender Entrepreneurship right in our immediate neighbourhood.
Dr. Jitendra said that as India today stands among the league of frontline nations in the world, it offers an opportunity to the Dogra youth to draw strength from their rich legacy and seek recognition for themselves across the country and beyond. He said taking inspiration from the Dogra legacy, it is time for them to leave their own mark on the world.
He said, this legacy should lay the foundation of giving further impetus to the journey for perfection, and enable the youth to play a visibly meaningful role in the making of a Vikisit Bharat.