J&K: 7-day multi-lingual short story festival begins in Jammu

Jammu and Kashmir [India], 18 August (ANI): The Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture, and Languages (JKAACL) 7-day multilingual short story festival began on Thursday at the JKAACL premises in Jammu.

This is for the first time that such a big festival of short stories was organised by JKAACL.

Writers of Dogri, Hindi, Punjabi, Gojri, Pahari and Kashmiri languages presented their short stories in the 7-day festival.

The festival featured senior writers along with young budding writers of J&K. On the inaugural day, writers of the Dogri language presented their short stories.

The festival will continue till August 23, daily from 10.30 am and will be open to all.

The event was inaugurated by Padamshree Jitender Udhampuri by lighting of the auspicious lamp, in the presence of Padamshree Mohan Singh, Om Goswami and Bharat Singh, secretary JKAACL. 

At the outset, Bharat Singh (JKAS), Secretary JKAACL, extended a cordial welcome to the literary experts.

Addressing the audience, he expressed his delight at the large audience that arrived to watch the Dogri language short stories.

He said Dogri is a prominent language of the region which is why the event commenced in the language.

He said there is always a conflict between two things, one is self-interest and the other is public interest.

If we think of public interest by keeping self-interest aside, only then our society will flourish, he added.

After this Guest of Honour Om Goswami in his address appreciated the efforts of JKAACL in promoting the literature and culture of J&K.

He expressed his concern about the discontinuation of various schemes run by JKAACL for the development of Art and Culture and requested the authorities to revive those schemes.

Chief Guest Padamshree Mohan Singh in his speech praised the efforts of Padamshree Jitender Udhampuri and Om Goswami for the development of Dogri literature.

He said their contribution to the language was commendable and could never be forgotten and also thanked Secretary JKAACL for organising the event.

In his presidential address, Padamshree Jitender Udhampuri said that such a festival gives us an opportunity to listen and learn various aspects of language.

The inaugural session concluded with a vote of thanks by Shahnawaz, Editor cum Cultural Officer, JKAACL. The session was conducted by Reeta Khadyal, Assistant Editor, JKAACL.

After the inaugural session, short stories were presented. Santosh Sangra presented the short story “Kabad”, Inderjit Kesarp presented the short story Samodh, Sunita Bhadwal presented the short story “Lee”, Raj Rahi presented the short story “Edha Hun ke Karchey”,  Saroj Bala presented the short story  “Aparajita”, Krishan Sharma presented the short story  “ Sachchai”, Rajeshwar Singh Raju presented the short story  ‘ Sadaratokhi”, Shiv Dev Sushil presented a short story ‘ ‘ Praan Pakheru Uddee Gay” and Jagdeep Dubey presented a short story “Sawal’.

Writers of the Hindi Language presented their short stories on Friday.