A strong call for the unification, protection and promotion of the shared Dogri–Pahari language and cultural heritage resonated at the annual Mel Milaap of the Dogra Welfare Association, Delhi NCR, held at Rajendra Bhavan.
Addressing the gathering, former Union Minister and former Sadr-e-Riyasat of Jammu and Kashmir, Dr Karan Singh, urged the Dogra community to forge wider unity with neighbouring Pahari-speaking regions such as Kangra and Chamba, so that the community’s collective strength is enhanced and its identity safeguarded. While advocating multilingualism, Dr Singh cautioned that one’s mother tongue must never be neglected. He warned that unless the younger generation is actively encouraged to speak Dogri, the language could face endangerment in the future. Emphasising the vital role of families—especially mothers—in preserving language and culture, the octogenarian leader exhorted Dogra society to remain progressive, united and forward-looking. He congratulated Sudesh Dogra and the entire organising team for the initiative and appealed for sustained unity and cohesion.
Renowned singer Dheeraj Sharma, leading the Association’s protest against the distortion of the popular Dogri–Himachali folk song “Maaye ni meriye, Jammuai di raahe, Chamba kitnik door”, rendered the song in its original wording, reaffirming its authentic linguistic and cultural context. He was ably supported by Jyoti Gupta and other artists. The Association expressed disappointment over the silence of several established literary and cultural leaders and organisations of Jammu on this issue, while appreciating Himachali singers and artists who have voiced support for the cultural concerns of Jammu.
Senior journalist and language activist Raman Kesar termed the distortion as an attempt to artificially separate Western Pahari from Dogri and stated that the Association intends to respond firmly yet constructively to such efforts. Rohit Mahajan, Cluster Head of The Jammu and Kashmir Bank, presented trophies to the cultural participants.
Sudesh Dogra, Jagdish Sharma, Shri Kailashpati Sharma, Kulveer singh , Col. Sunil Sharma, Neha Sharma, Satpal Sharma Bodhraj Thakur and Raj raina made significant and valuable contributions in mobilising the Dogra community and ensuring the successful conduct of the event.
The Dogra Welfare Association has been consistently organising its annual Lohri function for the past four years and has consciously remained away from all forms of politics and patronage.
