To keep the tribal traditions, culture and language alive for the generations to come and for an inclusive development of the various local communities in the state, Minister for Consumer Affairs & Public Distribution, Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali today said that works are in progress for establishing the Tribal Research Institute in Jammu and Kashmir.The Minister was attending the valedictory function of the 2-day Gojri Folk Music Festival organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture & Language (JKAACL) and Gurjar Desh Charitable Trust at the Gurjar Centre for Culture & Heritage today.
Zulfkar in his address said that the language plays an integral role in preservation of any culture. The present government is committed to give every community its due importance and he will put in his best efforts to ensure that Gojri language is included in the 8th schedule. He said every measure will be undertaken to preserve the rich cultural heritage found in state.
The Minister congratulated the organizers for tenaciously working towards the promotion of arts and languages in the state; and successfully bringing beautiful cultural and folk music to lime light. He also lauded the JKAACL and Gujjar Charitable Trust for providing the artists-both seasoned and budding, a platform as this music festival for showcasing their talents.Lauding the efforts of the Patron- in -Chief of Gurjar Desh Charitable Trust, Dr Masood Choudhary and his team, the Minister said that Gujjar Centre for Culture & Heritage is a living monument for the tribe and will remain an essential part of the tribes’ culture and heritage in the years to follow.
The prominent Gojri Folk Music parties of the state who enthralled the audience by their melodies voices included Begam Jan and Party, Mohammad Yusaf Arman and Party, Ayaz Ahmed Saif and Party, Tasleem Noor and Party, Razia Begam and Party, Gulzar, Chohan Bashir Mastana and Party, Alla Rakha Chichi and Party Mohammad Rafi and Party and others.Besides Deputy Chairman Legislative Council, Jahangir Ali and Secretary JKAACL Dr Aziz Hajni, Haroon Rashid, Hamid Choudhary, Alla Rakha, Farooq Ahmed, Shokat Javaid, Shokat Parvez, Basir Noon and large number of Students, staff and teachers of the GDCT’s school also witnessed the programme.