EARTH NEWS SERVICE Jammu, Dec 15 |15: Deputy Chief Minister, Dr. Nirmal Singh has maintained that necessary efforts are afoot to preserve and propagate rich artistic traditions of the State and in this regard steps have already been taken. Deputy Chief Minister was speaking after inaugurating Dark Clouds Silver lining, an Exhibition of sculptures of renowned artist Ravinder Jamwal at Jammu University here today. Vice Chancellor, Jammu University, R. D Sharma, Vice Chairman Kissan Board, D. S Chib, MLA, Ramnagar, R. S Pathania, Ms. Mamta Singh, Director Local Urban Local bodies Jammu, Soujanya Sharma, academicians, artists and intellectuals were present on the occasion. Dr. Singh said that the State has rich artistic traditions which are known globally and need is to ensure their propagation, preservation for the posterity. He said that the Government is doing its bit and now the onus lies on the artists, art lovers and intellectuals to come forward and strengthen the initiatives being taken. “We will provide necessary assistance to the artists and the aspiring once so that their talent is properly channelized and honed in the right direction and they carry forward the rich tradition already set by several renowned artists belonging to this part of country” he elaborated. The Deputy Chief Minister complemented the organizers for organizing such an exhibition which depicts human agony, suffering and also contextualize recent happenings in the State. He said that the artist is a well known figure among the contemporaries and he has, to his credit several works which are exemplary and has created a niche for himself in various art forms. It is pertinent to mention that the sculptors displayed at the exhibition are based on the theme of recent migrations of the people living on the international border who have to constantly migrate to safer places on account of border skirmishes. Later, the Deputy Chief Minister, interacted with the artists and academicians present on the occasion.