Reverting back to the roots and to promote Dogra cultural heritage, the Dogra Sadar Sabha (DSS) organized a Turban Tying Competition at the Dogra Sadar Sabha Bhawan on Saturday the 3rd of December 2016. The event is an annual feature and very popular among the Dogras of the region depicting their composite culture without any communal distinctions.
The competition once again revived an ancient art bringing pride back among the participants, audience and the organizers alike. The Hon’ble Speaker of the J&K State assembly Sh. Kavinder Gupta was the Chief Guest and was received by former minister Th. Gulchain Singh Charak and other members of DSS. While welcoming the Chief Guest Th. Gulchain Singh thanked him, the participants and the audience. He explained the ethos and importance of holding such events. Speaking on the occasion, Hon’ble Speaker of the J&K State assembly appreciated the initiative of the DSS and said that by promoting such heritage, the DSS is doing great service to the region and adding to the glory of Dogriat. The Judges for the competition were Th. Gulchain Singh Charak Fomer Minister & President Dogra Sadar Sabha, Maj Gen Goverdhan Singh Jamwal, VSM, Ex MLC and Col Karan Singh (Retd.)-Vice President DSS.
The competition was whole heartedly attended by a large gathering that included members of the DSS, All Jammu Civil Society Forum (AJCSF) important civil dignitaries, prominent citizens from the region, beside the family members of the participants. Gen Goverdhan Singh put life into the competition by personally demonstrating the art of tying a turban. The ninety years ‘young’ veteran received a wholehearted applause.
While speaking the President DSS Th. Gulchain Singh Charak took strong exception to the deteriorating condition of Mubarak Mandi and requested that the Chief Minister who is the chairperson of the Mubarak Mandi Heritage Society should immediately convene a meeting and take urgent steps on war footing to save this pride icon of Dogra heritage from total ruining before it vanishes from the history.
He also expressed deep concern over the lack of action by the government to restore traffic on the road from Shalamar crossing to Gandhi Bhawan and Dogra Hall Complex. He also declared that the DSS extends their full support to the Dogri writers who have decided to sit on Dharna on 6th of December, 2016, protesting against not finding adequate representation in the Central Committee of J&K academy of Art, Culture and Languages.
It was a pleasant overwhelming sight as the competitors unfolded and then tied the colourful turbans, unfolding a rainbow aura and acquiring a royal grace of an erstwhile era. The competition was held in two categories of youngsters between 15 to 25 years and elders above 25 years. There were three prizes for each category of rupees 3000, 2000 and 1000 each, besides two consolation prizes also of one thousand rupees each.
The results: Vishal Singh-1st in below 25 and Sidhur Singh Chandel-1st in above 25 category, while the 2nd prize for below 25 went to Nikhil Anthal and above 25 to Karan Sing Jasrotia. The Third prize for below 25 Raghav Singh Salathia, and above 25 to Mohinder Singh. The consolation prizes went to Th. Chhankar Sigh Salathia & Jagdish Raj Sharma for above 25 years categories respectively.
Prominent speakers on the occasion included Col Karan Singh, Madan Rangeela, Prem Sagar Gupta General Secretary, DSS, OP Mauji, S. JS Mangal Singh, G A Khwaja, S. Kulbeer Singh
The competition was followed by a traditional Preeti Bhoj for all the competitors, guests and the audience. Important among those attended were Dr. N. K. Dogra, Sh. Janak Khajuria, Sh. Jagdeep Singh, Sh. Syed Amanat Ali Shah, Sh. Sukhdev Singh, Prof. Anita Charak Billoria and others.
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