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Created: 13 January 2020

MUMBAI: Eulogizing the credibility of the Dogra Samaj Trust, Mumbai in a grand cultural bonanza organized by it on the eve of Lohri, Mr. Harsh Dev Singh lauded the efforts of the trust for bringing all the members of the Dogra community staying in Maharashtra and particularly in Mumbai on a single platform to promote the Dogri language and culture among the people.

“Its noble mission to extend all possible help to the community members at the time of critical junctures and medical exigencies during their visit here tantamount to benevolence which is praise worthy. At the same time, the matter of serious concern which bothers me is the fading Dogra culture and heritage back home which needs urgent attention before it’s too late. We must all unite and work in synergy to save, restore and preserve the pristine glory of the Dogras in J&K which is evanescing gradually with time”, asserted Harsh. He was addressing a star studded gathering from Bollywood and Entertainment industry besides thousands of people from Dogra community in the mega function yesterday which lasted till midnight as Chief guest at Chatterpati Shivaji Raje Ground in Bhawindi, Mumbai.

Addressing the gathering about the Dogra clan, Mr. Harsh Dev Singh elucidated that a Greek astrologer Pulomi, accompanying Alexander in campaign into Indian sub-continent, referred inhabitants of Duggar as “a brave Dogra family living in the mountain ranges of Shivalik”. We should be proud of our history and language. But it’s painful to see that the parents these days don’t encourage their children to speak Dogri. They often rebuke their children when they converse in Dogri. One of the old Indo-Aryan languages spoken by about 5 million people is shockingly disappearing from towns, cities and districts.

As Dogras we should not let the language be forgotten. Instead, we should start making efforts to communicate in it, read it, share it and promote it on individual level, asserted Harsh. Expressing his anguish over the down gradation of J&K from State to UT status, Mr. Singh regretted that nearly 2 centuries old erstwhile State which was founded by Maharaja Gulab Singh in 1846 had been reduced to a Union territory. “It came to us like a bolt from nowhere. It has posed a grave threat to our splendid heritage which we have always boasted and felt proud of.

We must raise our voice in unison for the restoration of statehood to our sole Dogra territory in the national map”, roared Harsh. Mr. Singh also showed his concern over the non inclusion of 23^rd September as Gazetted holiday on Maharaja Hari Singh’s birthday in the 2020 calendar. He made a fervent appeal to all the community members, Dogra celebrities, social organizations, civil society and intellectuals to intensify the movement so that the most cherished aspiration of the Dogras could be taken to its logical conclusion. “Lets not forget that it was because of the tallest Dogra ruler, the J&K was acceded to the Union of India in 1947 and we got the opportunity to call ourselves as proud Indians”, Harsh divulged.

Mr. Harsh Dev Singh also expressed his dismay over the delay in restoration of Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex in the old Jammu city.“The shabby look of the historical Mubarak Mandi besides uncertainty over the fate of other historical forts and palaces had triggered anger among the local people with the apprehension that the inordinate delay and deny in the restoration work of the complex and other sites would eventually wipe out the pristine glory of the Dogra rule and turn the buildings into ruins”, Harsh divulged. Regretting further, the dilapidated condition of the K.L Saigal memorial erected in the Jammu city, Mr. Singh said that there was a dire need to identify similar sites and facilitate repairs and restoration of such memorials.“The Dogra icon was considered as first super star of the Indian film industry and the painful sight of the memorial tells the tragic tale of the fading Dogra identity from our soil”, rued Harsh.

Mr. Harsh Dev Singh asked the Dogra Samaj Trust, the present renowned celebrities from Duggar community, and the members of the audience to take cognizance of the sensitive issues and join the collective fight for the restoration and preservation of the dissipating Dogra heritage, language and culture. Prominent among the Bollywood stars and producers who were present on the occasion included Mr. Mukesh Rishi (Actor), Mr. Tej Sapru (Actor),  Mrs. Preeti Sapru (Actress),  Mrs. Upasana Singh(Actress), Mr. Sunil Palwal (Actor), Mr. Hemraj Dogra (Producer), Mrs. Nidhi Sharma besides others.