REASI, Oct 22: The Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi, organised its special literary programme ‘Gramaloka’ at village Chinkah in Reasi district on Thursday, providing a platform to rural poets and writers to showcase their literary talent and promote regional languages.
The programme was chaired by Padma Shri awardee Mohan Singh, a Sahitya Akademi Award recipient and Convenor of the Dogri Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi.
In his welcome address, Mohan Singh highlighted the various schemes and initiatives of the Sahitya Akademi aimed at promoting languages and literature across the country. He described the Akademi as the National Academy of Letters and emphasised its role in supporting literary activities in the 24 languages recognised by the institution.
Explaining the purpose of ‘Gramaloka’, he said the initiative was designed to benefit writers living in remote and far-flung areas who continue to contribute to literature in their respective languages. The programme seeks to bring such writers onto a wider literary platform under the banner of the Sahitya Akademi, ensuring that geographical barriers do not limit their opportunities for recognition and participation.
Five poets participated in the programme, including Babu Bhatti, Malook Singh, Arjun Kumar, J.S. Mastana and Jitu Salalia. Poets from different parts of Jammu also attended the event and recited their compositions.
The participating poets captivated the audience with their literary presentations, while attendees appreciated the diversity of themes and creative expressions showcased during the programme.
The event provided an opportunity for interaction among poets, writers and literature enthusiasts, strengthening connections between rural literary communities and established literary institutions.
The organisation of ‘Gramaloka’ in Chinkah reflects the Sahitya Akademi’s efforts to take literary programmes beyond major urban centres and encourage the preservation, development and wider appreciation of regional languages and local literary traditions.
The programme concluded on an encouraging note, celebrating the creative contributions of rural poets and reinforcing the importance of inclusive literary platforms in India’s rich multilingual cultural landscape.