STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Dogri Sanstha on Monday released a novel ‘Peediyen Di Peed’ authored by prominent Dogri writer Shiv Mehta at a function organised here at Dogri Bhawan in connection with Dogri Manta Din -2016 celebrations.
Veteran writer-critic, Prof Nilembar Dev Sharma presided over the function whereas celebrated short story writer, poet and Convener Dogri Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi, Prof Lalit Magotra graced the occasion as Chief Guest and noted Critic Dr Veena Gupta was the Guest of Honour.
The voluminous novel, first of its kind in Dogri, narrates the story encompassing 12 generations of Dogras from 1650 to 1950. The main theme of novel is based on the Karma theory that generations suffer for the misdeeds of their ancestors.
Congratulating the Dogri writers and lovers of Dogri on Manta Din Prof. Magotra said that Peediyen Di Peed is superb gift on this occasion of jubilation by Shiv Mehta. He cautioned the Dogras against the anti-Dogri attitude of present Coalition Government which, he said, has adopted a policy of ignoring and undermining the significance of Dogri in every field. While expressing satisfaction on the development of Dogri literature during last 13 years after the inclusion of Dogri language in Eighth Schedule of Indian Constitution, Dr Veena Gupta said that government has made least contribution to the development of Dogri language, literature and culture. Thousands of students who love to read Dogri as a subject are being forced to shift to other languages, she added.
Kashmir Singh, former Legislator lamented that considerable number of public representatives of Jammu region sharing power, are mute spectators to the dire State of their mother tongue.
Prof. N.D. Sharma, in his predential address congratulated the gathering and recalled the long struggle to secure the constitutional honour for Dogri.
President Dogri Sanstha, Chhatrapal disclosed that in coming days private schools would be persuaded to introduced Dogri at primary level and Sanstha vows to launch an agitation for the restoration of Dogri subject in higher secondary schools.
Shiv Mehta interacted with the audience on his writing process and also read out some paragraphs of his novel.
The programme was compered by Dr Nirmal Vinod, General Secretary of the Sanstha. It was followed by a Kavi Sammelan conducted by Sushil Begana.
A galaxy of renowned writers, poets and artists participated in the function which include Narinder Bhasin, Dr. Shashi Pathania, Sunil Sharma, Dr Raj Kumar, Randhir Singh Raipuria, Dr Chanchal Bhasin, Inderjit Kesar, Janak Khajuria, Madan Rangeela, Sudesh Verma, Ravi Shanker, Madan Padha, Vijaya Thakur, M.S Kamra, Yogita Yadav, Col Raaz Manawari, Ashok Dutta, Chaman Arora, Krishan Sharma, Chaman Panthi, Rajkumar Bahuroopia, Jangs Verman and Sunil Targotra.
