Vohra calls for propagation of JK culture

Srinagar, Oct 5: Calling for strong efforts to make the State's glorious past known to the people particularly students, Jammu Kashmir Governor N N Vohra said the state is blessed with a celebrated culture and history and it is imperative that vigorous steps are taken to propagate the rich traditions and literary achievements.

Addressing a function after presenting the Best Book Awards-2008 to nine eminent writers of different languages here last evening, the Governor said India is a multilingual and multicultural country with 700 languages and 6000 dialects. He said all the languages are important and enrich history and culture of a state.

He said institutions like Jammu Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages have the responsibility to propagate art and culture. These institutions, he said, should not remain confined to holding functions to award men and women of eminence alone but also promote literary and cultural activities.

The Governor congratulated the recipients of the awards and directed the Secretary of the Academy to publish the awarded books and provide these free of cost to educational institutions.

Referring to the accord of recognition to Institute of Music and Fine Arts, the University of Kashmir will be approached for the purpose, he added.

The function was organised to give awards to nine writers for their books adjudged in the respective languages.

Mr Mohan Singh was awarded for his Dogri book ''Dogri Rang Manch,'' Dr K L Choudhary for ''Enchanting World of Infants'' in English, Chaudhary Noor Mohammad Noor for his Gogri ''Badalto Daur'', Ms Anila Singh Charak for ''Nange Paon Zindagi'' in Hindi, Bimla Raina for her Kashmiri book ''Lall Meani Nazri'', Mr Tsewang Rigzin for his Ladakhi book ''Drug-pa-chi-tar-jung-tsl'', Raja Shahid Shujaat for his Pahari book ''Uss Paar'', S Saran Singh for his Punjabi book ''Tawwe Da Tabbar'' and Dr Shafaq Sopori for his Urdu book ''Dasht Main Door Kahin''.

The awards presented by the Governor include cash prize of Rs 51000, a memento citation and a shawl.

UNI