JAMMU, Sept 2: Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh on Monday urged the people of Jammu to align Dogra legacy with India’s mainstream global journey, stressing that cultural pride must evolve with contemporary trends to ensure long-term sustainability.
Delivering the 6th Kunwar Viyogi Memorial Lecture at the University of Jammu, Dr Singh said India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has adopted global strategies and benchmarks followed by developed nations. “If the Dogra region and Dogras also align with this mainstream global journey, then that would be the true sustainability of Dogra culture and pride,” he remarked.
Promotion of Dogri Language
Stressing on the need to promote Dogri through modern mediums and educational curricula, Dr Singh said linguistic pride cannot rely only on Constitutional safeguards. “Dogri was included in the 8th Schedule and introduced as a subject in schools, yet its promotion at the ground level remains weak,” he observed.
Making a strong case for youth involvement, Dr Singh noted that little written communication happens in Dogri. “After the abrogation of Article 370, Dogri was made an official language in J&K. But how many of us have ever written a letter to a government office in Dogri?” he asked, pointing out that not a single hand went up when he posed the question to the audience.
He stressed that Dogri must be treated as a “legacy asset” and linked to livelihood avenues rather than being seen as a liability.
Opportunities in Education and Startups
Calling the National Education Policy (NEP) a “game-changer,” the Union Minister told students that they now enjoy greater freedom in subject choices compared to earlier times when they were constrained by parental decisions.
He urged youth to harness mobile technology and explore agri-startups for sustainable livelihoods. Highlighting success stories, he said more than 4,000 youth had quit jobs to join the “Purple Revolution” in Bhaderwah, which put Doda district on the global startup map. “Dogra youth too must shed the government job mindset and embrace new avenues,” he emphasized.
Bio-Resources, Khadi and Vishwakarma Yojana
Pointing to J&K’s rich bio-resources, Dr Singh spoke about lavender cultivation and other potential sectors. He also called for promoting Khadi, noting that the government provides up to 40 per cent subsidy on loans to boost production and sales.
Referring to the PM Vishwakarma Yojana, Dr Singh said it not only ensures livelihood support but also revives traditional crafts by providing end-to-end assistance to artisans and onboarding them as entrepreneurs.
Bridging Jammu–Kashmir Divide
Dr Singh further said that ever since PM Modi took charge, the government has sought to bridge the gap between Jammu division and Kashmir valley. “But we still need to liberate ourselves from the earlier mindset,” he added.
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