JAMMU: The Jammu & Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages today inaugurated the Hindi Diwas Pakhwada with a special literary and cultural programme at K.L. Saigal Hall, Jammu, today.
The programme commenced with Saraswati Vandana, composed by Ravi Sharma and presented by Mamta, Neelakshi Samiksh and Tahriya, followed by the ceremonial lighting of the traditional lamp by the Chief Guest, Prof. Raj Kumar along with Prof. Chanchal Dogra, Guest of Honour, Harvinder Kour, Secretary, Sonali Arun Gupta, Special Secretary and Dr. Chanchal Sharma, Editor, Hindi JKAACL.
Welcoming the distinguished guests, writers, poets, students and participants, Harvinder Kour, Secretary, JKAACL, highlighted the importance of Hindi as a language of communication, literature and cultural expression. She stressed the need to promote the use of Hindi in everyday life and encouraged people, particularly the younger generation, to speak and write Hindi with confidence while preserving its richness and cultural values.
The academic session featured a paper presentation by noted scholar and writer Maharaj Krishan Bharat on the theme “Hindi: Paramparik Gyan Se Kritrim Budhimata Tak”. The presentation explored the journey of Hindi from its traditional knowledge systems to its emerging role in the age of Artificial Intelligence and new technologies.
On the occasion, eminent Hindi writers were felicitated for their valuable contribution to Hindi literature. The distinguished writers honoured included Prof. Pran Nath Trisal, Prof. Kiran Bakshi, Shri Naresh Kumar Udas and Dr. Aruna Sharma.
The literary segment witnessed enthusiastic participation from established poets as well as young students. Poets including Sham Bihari Juneja, Manto Dutta, Rakesh Abrol, Amita Mehta, Heena Mahajan, Yogesh Sharma “Yogi”, Sanjeev Bhasin, Sunil Sharma and Manju Sharma presented their poetry in Hindi.
Students also participated with great enthusiasm. Ridhima Sharma, Suneha Sharma and Vaani Verma from PSPS Government College for Women, Gandhi Nagar and Raggni Parihar and Aditi Sharma from Government College for Women, Parade, presented their Hindi poems, adding a youthful dimension to the celebrations.
The programme also featured a classical vocal presentation by Dr. Jasmeet Kour, which added a cultural dimension to the literary proceedings. She was equally supported by Neeraj Verma on Tabla and Kapil on Harmonium.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Sonali Arun Gupta, Special Secretary, JKAACL, who expressed gratitude to the Chief Guest, Guest of Honour, eminent writers, poets, students, artists and all those associated with the successful organisation of the programme. The program was ably conducted by Kusum Tickoo.
