Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali has said that local languages spoken in the state are identity of the people and government is endeavoring to promote and preserve all such languages.Addressing a gathering on the concluding ceremony of
2-Day Gojri literary-cum-cultural meet organized by J&K Academy of Art, Culture & Languages in collaboration with Gurjar Desh Charitable Trust at Gujjar Reserach Centre Channi, Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali said local languages are important and these play a vital role to bond people with their past. He said these languages fill the gaps between various communities and also play important role in overall progress of the society. He said these languages need to be preserved and government is committed in this regard. He added that the culture and language connect a person with his society and everybody should feel proud of his language and culture.Expressing satisfaction over the work being done by JKAACL for promotion and development of Gojri language and culture, the Minister said that the Academy deserves commendation for its efforts in this direction.
He further said that such literary and cultural activities help in developing consciousness among the people about their language, culture and ethnicity. He said that Gojri is one of the oldest languages and Academy is doing good job to preserve and protect it.Announcing major initiatives for promotion and development of Gojri language and culture in the State, Secretary JKAACL Dr Aziz Hajini said that Academy plans to hold a national level Gojri conference in the State in 2017 and intends to organize a major Gojri festival during the next financial year.The 2-Day literary cum cultural meet which culminated today was part of a series of such initiatives being launched by the Academy for promotion and development of regional languages like Gojri.The concluding function was attended by prominent writers, poets, artists, intellectuals and observers from all over Jammu region.Dr Masoud A Choudhary, Choudhary Hassan Ali, and Choudhary Allah Bakhash were among those present on the occasion.On this occasion, Academy and Gujjar Desh Charitable Trust felicitated Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali for his vibrant approach in development of society besides felicitating Secretary JKAACL for having been conferred with the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award 2016 for his Kashmiri book “Aan-e-Khane”.