DADAA reiterates demand for ‘Satellite Duggar channel’

Jammu, Sep 10: Dogri litterateurs, artists, intellectuals, activists and prominent citizens representing different strata of society Tuesday reiterated demand for “Satellite Duggar channel” and resolved to continue agitation until their demand was met.

Resolve was made during a seminar on the topic “Satellite Duggar Channel a necessity”, organised by Doordarshan Approved Drama Artists Association (DADAA) at Writers Club, K L Saigal Hall of J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (JKAACL), Brigadier Rajinder Singh Marg Jammu.

Speakers emphasised that the government should take this long pending demand seriously and take immediate steps to concede it. “If there is no medium for preservation and propagation of Duggar culture and heritage, Duggar identity will be lost in oblivion.

This is unfortunate that the demand for Duggar channel is being ignored by those at the helm of affairs and meanwhile, Jammu Doordarshan has also reached on the verge of closure, given administrative apathy towards it. Its budget is being trimmed and a lesser amount is being spent on production of programmes,” they lamented.

Former Director Programmes Srinagar Doordarshan Kendra, Dr Naseeb Singh Manhas, who was felicitated also on this occasion, said that it was not very difficult for the government to concede this genuine demand. “Those who are not taking the demand of Duggar people seriously need to wake up,” he added.

Former minister Gulchain Singh Charak stated, “Time is ripe to launch a vigorous agitation on the lines of one launched to get Dogri language included in the Eighth Schedule of Indian Constitution.”

Advocate Sheikh Shakeel Ahmad questioned as to why people of Duggarland had to fight every time to secure their due. “We are happy that there is Kashir channel, what is the harm if there’s Duggar channel? It will help preserve and promote composite culture of Jammu,” he said.

Prominent among those who spoke on the occasion also included Major General (retired) Goverdhan Singh Jamwal, Padmashri Mohan Singh, Padmashri Dr Jitendra Udhampuri, Padmashri S P Verma, Madan Rangila and J S Babli.

DADAA General Secretary Janak Khajuria ably conducted proceedings of seminar.