Governor N.N. Vohra inaugurated a 3 day ‘J&K Literary and Cultural Festival’ on the occasion of the ‘International Mother Tongue Day’, organized by the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art Culture and Languages (JKAACL), here today.Governor, who is Patron of the JKAACL, complimented Dr. Azizi Hajini, Secretary JKAACL, and his colleagues for regularly organizing meaningful activities in the field of art and literature in all the three regions of the State. Lauding the organising of ‘J&K Literary and Cultural Festival’, Governor observed that such events are useful for promoting heritage and culture and urged that youth from high schools and colleges should be involved in such festivals.Governor observed that one can learn to appreciate the nuances of a society’s culture only through its language and urged that children should be encouraged to learn and speak their mother tongue.Noting the role which is required to be played by the JKAACL in promoting Art, Culture and Languages in J&K, which has three regions, distinct in their geography, climate and culture, Governor noted that the Academy can provide valuable platforms for the three regions to come together and understand each other’s traditions, cultures and art forms. He urged organising more programmes where youth can meet and learn about each other.
Governor released ‘Who’s Who of J&K Writers/Artists’, which is a Directory containing information of writers and artists of the State,and the Annual Report of the JKAACL. He observed that the Directory will be very useful as it is a handy compilation of all writers and artists in the State.Earlier, Governor inaugurated ‘Nostalgic Kashmir’ a photo exhibition organised by Sh. S.R. Wani, in which collection of photographs from 1850’s to 1950’s of Royalty, Kashmiri Pandits and Temples of Jammu and Kashmir have been displayed. Governor suggested to Dr. Hajini that these rare photographs should be compiled in book form with suitable titles to explain each picture.Ms. Priya Sethi, MoS Tourism and Culture, stressed the need for encouraging children to learn and speak their mother tongue and assured government’s active support in the promotion of art and culture in the State.The Key Note Address was given by Sh. Darshan Darshi, noted Dogri writer and Prof. Naseem Shafai, prominent Kashmiri poetess spoke about importance of the mother tongue. The Welcome Address was presented by Dr. Azizi Hajini and a Vote of Thanks given by Dr. A.S. Aman, Additional Secretary JKAACL.