As a series of Literary programmes being organized to mark Republic Day Celebrations, J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages organized a Punajbi Kahani Goshthi in the K.L Saigal Hall, Jammu. Punjabi short-story writer, Khalid Hussain presided while Kamal Kashmiri Punjabi writer was the Chief Guest besides Dr. Lalit Magotra, Convener (Dogri), Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi was the Guest of Honour on the occasion. Dr. Arvinder Singh Amn, Additional Secretary was also present on the occasion.A special issue of Punjabi Sheeraza on the life and works of Prof. Devinder Singh and Sada Sahit-2015 both important Punjabi publications of the Academy were released. Dr. Monojit, a Punjabi writer presented detailed paper on the special issue of Sheeraza Punjabi. Khalid Hussain lauded the role of the Academy in bringing forward new talent amongst the scholars/students from the Language departments of University and other Educational Institutions. He said that this effort of J&K Cultural Academy will definitely bring positive response in near future. He gave away some tips on writing short stories to new entrants.
Kamal Kashmiri congratulated the J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages for its efforts to promote Art and literature in an innovative way and welcomed the new short-story writers who presented their short-stories from Academy’s platform. He threw light on the contribution of Prof. Devinder Singh, former head of the Punjabi department, in the development of Punjabi Language and literature being written in the State.
Dr. Lalit Magotra said that the J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages have really recognized the pulse of the time and now it is the need of the hour to bring the youth in the field of reading and writing. He said that the J&K Cultural Academy deserves appreciation for its new initiatives.While speaking about the special issue of Sheeraza Punjabi, he said that Prof. Devinder Singh was a good academician, prominent writer, intellectual and visionary personality who contributed a lot in establishing new heights in the field of Punjabi theatre, poetry, literature and Punjabi Language.Dr. Arvinder Singh Amn highlighted the aims and objectives of these series of literary programmes being organized by the Academy to embark the Republic Day Celebrations-2016. He said that J&K Academy is trying to give platform to youth in the field of writing by reaching out to them at their doorsteps. The Academy is doing a similar kind of activity in the K.L Saigal Hall, Jammu on January 29, 2016 in which Dogri Kahani Goshti is being organized and on January 30, 2016, a multi-lingual Kahani Goshthi shall be organized by the students of Women College, Gandhi Nagar, Jammu.
The writers who presented their short-stories included Hardeep Singh Deep (Dhah), Kamaldeep Singh (Mafinama), Manmeet Kaur (Mein Ashraf Nahi), Simranjeet Singh (Mobile Bill). The proceedings of the programme were conducted by S.Popinder Singh, Editor Punjabi and Vote of thanks was delivered by Ashok Gupta, Editor Dogri.Among others who were present include S. Didar Singh, H.S Gill, T.S Premi, Surinder Goel, Desh Raj Danish, Amar Singh Kuka, Davinder Singh Vishavnagrik, H.S Sagar, Jang S. Varman, Suresh Sharma, Dr. Baljit Raina, Swami Anter neerav, Devinder Pal Singh, Dr. Kirat Singh Inqualabi, Janak Khajouria, Rattan Singh Kanwal, Esha Balgotra, Dr. Thappa, Prof. Ichupal Singh, Deepak Arsi, Harmeet Kour.