A one-day state level Shina conference organised by Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Language was held on August 17 at Dak Bungalow, Drass, Kargil.

Haji Anayat Ali, State Legislative Council inaugurated the conference. The day was divided into four sessions and writers, poets, intellectuals from Drass and Gurez areas shared their fresh literary endeavours in prose and poetry.

Also, the origin, development, challenges, opportunities and future prospects of Shina language were highlighted.

 

Haji Anayat Ali while appreciating the initiative of the Academy expressed hope that it will pave way for the further development of the Shina language in the state. 

 

He said that language is the necessary element that determines the true identity of any race that needs to be preserved. He also urged upon the need to ensure that users of local vocabulary are maximized wherever possible, so as to avoid the erosion of the local vernacular expressions. 

Expressing the need to get Purgi language recognized in the language schedule of the state constitution besides holding interviews for the posts of Assistant Editors and Research Assistants in Shina and Balti languages, the Chairman said that he has taken up this issue with the Chief Minister and appropriate action in this regard is expected in near future.

For holding first ever state level conference at Drass, Nazir Gurezi, Deputy Speaker, State Legislative Assembly expressed hope that literary gatherings of such nature would facilitate interaction and exchange of ideas among the Shina/ Dardi scholars. 

He urged upon the intellectuals and artists of both regions as well the literary enthusiasts to work in tandem and unison and to extend all support to the Academy so as to devise innovative ways and means to further foster the preservation and promotion of the language.

Dr. Aziz Hajini, Secretary Academy highlighted the initiatives being taken by the Academy for the preservation and development of its literary and cultural traditions. 

 

Hajini said that it creates a platform for the writers and intellectuals of this language to sit together, interact, and exchange ideas and thoughts and to devise innovative ideas and concepts so as to devise strategies for the further promotion of the language. 

Mukhtar Zahid Badgami presented the key note address while as Mushtaq Ahmad Sheikh and Raza Amjad Badgami presented their research oriented papers.

 

Poets Ghulam Ahmad Khan Jawan, Barkat Ali Lone Nizami, Muhammad Asgar Asvi, Ghulam Qadir Zaki, Muhammad Shafi Sagar, Molvi Neyaz Ahmad Neyazi, Ataullah Parwaaz, Farooq Ahmad Noorie, Abdul Majeed Sehra and Feroze Ahmad Chiraag presented their poetic renderings.