Principal Secretary, Culture, Suresh Kumar Gupta, today inaugurated a two day Hindi conference on the theme “Jammu Kashmir Ka Hindi Sahitya – Kal, Aaj Aur Kal” at K L Saigal hall, Jammu.
The event is being organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture, and Languages (JKAACL). Secretary, JKAACL, Harvinder Kaur; Dr. Agnishakhar; Professor Raj Kumar and Professor Neelam Saraf besides others were present on the inaugural ceremony.
The program commenced with a soulful rendition of Saraswati Vandana by Dr. Chanchal Sharma, Incharge editor Hindi, JKAACL followed by welcome address by Harvinder Kaur, who outlined the objective of the conference and emphasised the importance of Hindi literature in preserving cultural identity.
Suresh Kumar lauded the speakers for their insightful contributions. He shared personal anecdotes and emphasized that language is a cornerstone of identity. Highlighting Hindi's global appeal, the Principal Secretary urged the people to take pride in their own language.
Dispelling fears about AI, he reassured the audience that it could never replace human intellect. He also announced upcoming government initiatives to promote and preserve the art and literature of Jammu and Kashmir.
Professor Raj Kumar delivered the keynote address, exploring the historical trajectory and future possibilities of Jammu and Kashmir's Hindi literature. He provided an in-depth analysis of its evolution and relevance in contemporary times.
Guest of honour, Dr. Agnishekhar expressed concern over diminishing imaginative capacity in modern writers, urging the inclusion of diverse groups such as the military, bureaucrats and bloggers in literary endeavours.
He stressed the need to recognize and celebrate bloggers for their contributions towards Hindi literature. Chairperson Professor Neelam Saraf emphasised the significance of reading books in an era dominated by Artificial Intelligence (AI).
She expressed concern over the declining number of students opting for Hindi as a subject at the university level and underscored the importance of preserving traditional tools like pens and notebooks.
Dr. Chanchal Sharma, program in-charge, concluded the inaugural session with vote of thanks. Following the inaugural session, the conference proceeded with paper presentations session which was chaired by Dr. Kiran Bakshi.
Dr. Shiksha Shaan presented paper on “Novel Writing: Past, Present, and Future” while Dr. Praveen Kumari read paper on “Children's Poetry and Stories: Past, Present, and Future.”The second session chaired by Shyam Bihari Juneja and Professor Raj Kumar was based on the theme: Essence of Stories and Poetry.
Sheikh Mohammad Kalyan presented paper on "Poetry: Past, Present, and Future". While Anita Pagotra, Kalpana Jasrotia, and Rajendra Kumar Narang presented their stories. The conference is part of JKAACL's ongoing efforts to promote Hindi literature and provide a platform for intellectual and creative exchange.
It aims to delve into evolution of Hindi literature while celebrating its rich heritage and promising future. The Academy has invited the literary enthusiasts, scholars and students to attend and engage in this vibrant celebration of Hindi language and literature.