JAMMU, May 4: A soulful and richly diverse multilingual story symposium was held today in Jammu, jointly organized by Hindi Sahitya Mandal and Viraj Kala Kendra, in fond remembrance of the late Manoj Sharma — a celebrated poet, cultural activist, and former literary secretary of the Mandal — who passed away unexpectedly on April 29 in Jalandhar.
The emotionally charged event served both as a literary gathering and a heartfelt tribute to Sharma’s enduring contribution to the cultural and literary fabric of Jammu. The symposium featured an impressive lineup of prominent storytellers who presented narratives in Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, and Dogri, celebrating the linguistic and cultural pluralism Manoj Sharma passionately upheld.
Renowned Hindi scholar Professor Rajkumar chaired the symposium and, in his presidential address, lauded the Mandal’s commitment to organizing such inclusive and multilingual events. He noted that platforms like this not only preserve and promote regional languages but also mirror the evolving societal ethos captured through literature. He emphasized that such symposia serve as valuable literary barometers reflecting the collective human experience across linguistic boundaries.
The storytellers who captivated the audience with their emotionally resonant narratives included Khalid Hussain, Professor Kiran Bakshi, Maharaj Krishna Santoshi, Baljeet Raina, Santosh Sangra, and Rajneesh Gupta. Their stories brought alive various cultural dimensions of society, reflecting themes both contemporary and traditional.
Earlier in the programme, Dr Chanchal Dogra, President of Hindi Sahitya Mandal, offered a moving tribute to Manoj Sharma. She reminisced about his immense contributions to the Mandal, his poetic brilliance, and his dedication to cultural enrichment. Dr Dogra emphasized that the symposium was not only a literary initiative but a homage to a soul who embodied artistic integrity and community spirit.
A formal condolence resolution was passed before the event commenced, acknowledging Manoj Sharma’s vital role in shaping the Hindi literary and cultural narrative of Jammu.
The program was efficiently anchored by Mandal’s Vice President Sanjeev Bhasin and General Secretary Manto Dutta Sharma, while the vote of thanks was delivered by Publicity Secretary Jang Singh Varman, who expressed gratitude to all the authors, participants, and literary enthusiasts present.
Prominent literary figures and cultural supporters including Chander Mohan Sharma, Shyam Juneja, Sheikh Mohammad Kalyan, Naseeb Singh Manhas, and Manjeet Singh Kamra were also in attendance, making the event a confluence of rich memory, poignant storytelling, and shared homage.