The event to commemorate Balraj Puri was held at KL Saigal Hall Jammu.
Speaker J&K Legislative Assembly, Kavinder Gupta was the chief guest on the occasion The function was presided over by former Chief Minister and National Conference Patron, Dr. Farooq Abdullah while MLA Kulgam, Mohammed Yusuf Tarigami was the guest of honour.
Highlighting the decades-long work of Puri, Gupta said that the late journalist acted as a bridge between the three regions of the State. Describing Puri as an inspiration for the rest of the country Gupta said that the government would initiate a project so that by Puri’s next death anniversary a book on his multifarious work and contribution gets released.
In his presidential remarks Abdullah described Puri as champion of State’s unity and pluralism. He emphasized that the younger generation should walk into the footsteps of persons like Puri.
Echoing similar sentiments, MLA, Kulgam, M.Y. Tarigami said that Puri was a person who fought for the empowerment of all the regions, communities, and people of the State.
Among others Prof. Lalit Magotra, Dr. Lalit Gupta, and Masood Choudhary also spoke on the occasion. Concurrently a function was held at Hajin to commemorate the anniversary of noted Kashmiri luminary Prof Mohi-ud-Din Hajini. The function was organized by Halqa-i-Adab Sonwari in association with J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages and Information Department in which a galaxy of writers, intellectuals, poets and locals participated.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
Former Justice Bashir Ahmad Kirmani was the chief guest on the occasion. Speaking on the occasion Kirmani said that writings of Prof Hajini are an inspiration and these should be reprinted to make people aware about his ideas. Laying stress on spreading the philosophy of Prof. Hajini, Kirmani said that this would make people aware about teachings of this known literary figure of North Kashmir.
Among others Mohammed Zaman Azurda, Mishal Sultanpuri, Dr. Shujaat Bukhari, Dr. Rafiq Masoodi, and Bashar Bashir also spoke on the occasion.
Meanwhile noted Kashmiri poet Lassa Khan Fida was also remembered at Achabal. As a tribute to the late poet a music programme was held in which poetry of the late Sufi poet was sung. A paper was also read on the life and works of the poet. Explaining the reason for holding concurrent events to commemorate death anniversaries of noted literary figures, Secretary Academy, Dr. Aziz Hajini said that the purpose of holding multiple events at multiple locations was to acknowledge contribution of people like Balraj Puri and Prof. Hajini to their respective fields of activity.
“We will continue to hold concurrent events as and when need arises so that doyens of language and literature are not only remembered but their work is also appreciated,” Hajini said. (KNS)