Minister for Forest, Environment and Ecology, Choudhary Lal Singh on Saturday said the State’s unique culture, diverse languages and spellbound folk music bestow it a special identity across the sub-continent.Speaking during ‘Dance Inspiration and Jammu Idol’ - a talent hunt function at Abhinav Theatre here, the Minister said Jammu and Kashmir is a unique place with the equally unique and diverse languages, folk music and other cultural aspects. He said the indigenous character of the State shouldn’t be eroded with the hollow concepts and “slogans of modernism.”“Those speaking in their mother tongue are looked down in our society, which is really worrisome,” he told the gathering.“We have to accept modernism, advancement but not at the cost of our mother tongue, music and other cultural values,” he added.The Minister, who was chief guest, on the occasion exhorted students to take it as their onerous responsibility to dedicate themselves to socio-cultural excellence and cultural unity for preserving rich traditions of the State. He said it is heartening to note that J&K possesses huge talent and there is a dire need to chisel out such students and young generation who would lead our State at the national and International forums. He also called for preserving Sate’s ageless message of communal harmony and socio-cultural ethos.
Singh said government and other private educational institutes should play a commendable role in the field of education and for promotion of cultural excellence.“The unity of arts, their essential spirit of oneness, has made us stand united, though we are multi-religious, multi-linguistic and diverse in culture," Singh said, adding that Jammu and Kashmir has nurtured and fostered local artistic and cultural values.Singh further highlighted the importance of the mother tongue and urged the students not to shun their language and roots. He also urged school administration not to force students to speak only in English language. “English is just another language. You shouldn’t be ashamed of speaking in your own languages, which give you the identity,” Singh said. He also highlighted the importance of the modern education, saying that the there is a need of convergence to enrich the quality of the education.The five hour-long event was held at Abhinav Theatre, Jammu in which Zorwar Singh, general secretary, Press Club Jammu was the chief guest-of-honour. The function began by lightning the traditional lamp by the dignitaries.