Jammu, Dec 22: The Minister for Tourism and Culture Nawang Rigzin Jora today said the Government would make available adequate funds to promote and preserve art, culture and languages of the State by upgrading the existing infrastructure for cultural activities and publications of the literary works of the local writers.
 The Minister was addressing a gathering after releasing a series of publications of Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (JKAACL) here.
 Asserting that promotion of local artists and writers was the prime responsibility of the Academy, the Minister said that the government recently released huge funds for the renovation and repair of two major art centres—Abhinav Theatre in Jammu  and  Tagore Hall in Srinagar.
  “I will make it sure that the prestigious organisation works in a transparent manner without prejudice towards any region, community and individual. Utmost care will be taken to ensure that the functioning of the academy is strictly as per the set norms and rules. Transparency and accountability will be made benchmarks for the functioning of the Academy,” the Minister said.
 On the occasion, the Minister released the Phari translation of Holy Quran by Mufti Shafiq Rehman, the fifth volume of Kashmir Encyclopedia on Folklore, two special Kashmiri language Sheeraza publications, besides three Urdu Sheeraza publications on poetry, theatre and Jammu-Kashmir and Ladakh. An English language Sheeraza publication- Duggar and Dogri was also released on the occasion.
 Commenting on the new releases, Jora appreciated the translation of Holy Quran in Phari language.  “Vernacular translation of religious scriptures helps people in better understanding of the teachings of their religion and imbibes moral values in their lives,” he said.

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