JAMMU, Sept 2 : Delivering the 6th “Kunwar Viyogi Memorial Lecture” at University of Jammu today, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh said, it is time to align Dogra legacy with India’s mainstream global journey.
The Minister said, India is now following the same global strategies that are being followed by the other developed countries. He said, the country is now living up to global benchmarks. Therefore, he said, if the Dogra region and the Dogras also align with this mainstream global journey, then that would be the true long-term sustainability of the Dogra culture and pride.Stressing on the need to promote Dogri language through contemporary mediums and curricula, Dr Jitendra Singh urged the educational institutes like Jammu University to take u- the task. He said, the linguistic pride cannot be dependent only on Constitutional safeguards.

Dr Jitendra Singh said although Dogri has been included in the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution and introduced as a subject in educational institutes, but it seems tot have done little for its promotion on the ground level. Making a strong case for promotion of Dogri among the youth, the Minister stated that imposition and sermonizing would not help promote the language as little written communication is done in Dogri.

Cryptically, Dr Jitendra Singh said, after abrogation of Art 370, Dogri was made an official language in J&K, and asked how many in this hall have ever even once written a letter or application addressed to any government office in Dogri language. The Minister asked such persons to raise their hands but not a single hand went up.

Dr Jitendra Singh said there is a need to see Dogri as a legacy asset to move on with new contemporary trends rather than treat it as a liability, and also need to connect it with livelihood stakes.
Dr Jitendra Singh said that ever since PM Narendra Modi took over, Union Government has sought to bridge the gap between Jammu Division and Kashmir Valley, but we are still not able to liberate ourselves from the earlier mindset.