Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar, Feb 21: “Kashmiri language is integral to our identity and we should not feel ashamed of speaking it,” experts remarked on the occasion of International Mother Language Day on Wednesday.
While learning other languages is beneficial, it is essential not to hesitate in conversing in our native tongue and prioritize its instruction for children, they added.
Shabnam Tilgami, winner of the Sahitya Akademi Translation Award and General Secretary of Adbee Markaz Kamraz (AMK), said, “The Kashmiri language has started coming back on track which wasn’t seen before. Now, it has been integrated into our schools, colleges and universities, which has contributed to its promotion.”
Tilgami said the vitality of a language relies on its poets and writers. He said there has been a substantial increase in Kashmiri writers and poets. Shabnam remarked humorously, “It seems like every third person here is a Kashmiri writer or poet.”
“It is the responsibility of every Kashmiri to safeguard and uphold our mother tongue, which is intrinsic to our identity. Kashmiri deserves recognition as a classical language, given its historical precedence over Urdu and English. Concrete measures must be taken to foster its growth,” Tilgami stressed.
Renowned writer Dr Tanveer Hayat said that the Kashmiri language is “unconsciously alive, but consciously dead”. “We erect sign boards at Kashmir University in the English language, not in Kashmiri, that’s the sign of our being consciously dead,” he said.
He said language is not only a means of communication but also represents a diverse cultural and intellectual heritage.
Citing UNESCO’s report, Hayat said that over 6,700 languages exist globally, with 40% facing extinction. He, however, added, “We cannot ignore that language is fundamental to communication of all kinds. Communication plays an important role in making change and development in human society.”
Farhat Sidique, a Kashmiri actor and director, said, “Every state has its language and our language is Kashmiri. We must take every step to promote and preserve the language.”
She urged people not to shy away from speaking their mother tongue. “We should teach Kashmiri to our children, and shouldn’t feel proud in speaking other languages,” she said.
An official from the Department of Art, Culture and Languages informed that the government is undertaking various initiatives to conserve and promote the Kashmiri language. Numerous programs conducted in Kashmiri are organised annually as part of these efforts, he said. (KNO)
