New Delhi, 22/12/2019
Paag, a cultural symbol of Mithila features in
Macmillan Dictionary with a definition- ‘a kind of headgear worn by people in
the Mithila belt of India’ with an example- Save the Paag Campaign was launched
by Mithilalok Foundation to promote the age-old culture of wearing paag.
“It is yet
another feather in the cap of the Maithil community living in the region or
elsewhere. Remarkably, the Paag which dates back to prehistoric time when it
was made of leaves of plants and trees at a certain point is a great token of
honor and respect and a significant part of Mithila culture”, said noted author
and social entrepreneur Dr Birbal Jha,
who had sought an entry of the word in the dictionary.
The central
government led by PM Narendra Modi issued postal stamp on Mithila Paag in 2017
in recognition of its value, public sentiments and demands made through the
campaign by Mithilalok Foundation, pressure outfit working for socio-economic
and cultural development.
Remarkably,
the drive had pressed upon the government to acknowledge, pre-historic
headdress on the hand and awaken the masses to the need for cultural movement
and safeguard the age-old tradition of wearing paag on the other. The movement
saw a tremendous response as more than a crore of volunteers came forward and
registered their support for the social cause led by Dr Birbal Jha known as the
‘Youngest Living Legend of Mithila.
“The
campaign ‘Paag for all’ aims at curbing social disparities, casteism and
religious conflict. People irrespective of caste, creed and religion who live
in Mithila or have their origins there are Maithils and they are easily
identified with a single cultural identity – Mithila Paag bearing a strong
resemblance to Pugg, Pagdi, Turban, Pheta, Safa, Skull-Cap and others as used
in different states and regions “added revolutionary Dr Jha, better known for
his social enterprise British Lingua with the slogan English for all.
“I have
already written a letter to the Oxford Dictionary and Collins’, requesting them
to include the word--paag with its meanings and usage in their ensuing
publications, and I am confident of an inclusion in those dictionaries also in
days to come” informed Dr Jha, a cultural activist.
paag - definition and synonyms
Meanwhile,
to the Government of Bihar, Dr Jha reiterated his demand for declaration of
Paag as state cap that will be an honour to Goddess Sita, who was born in
Mithila. The paag song penned by Dr Jha
and sung by Vikas Jha has been a hit among music lovers and the community men.