Govt. Implements Multi-Pronged Strategy to Revitalize Kashmiri Language for Younger Generations

Suhail Khan

Srinagar, Oct 29 : In a comprehensive response to concerns raised in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, the Department of Culture has outlined a series of coordinated measures aimed at protecting, promoting, and popularizing the Kashmiri language among the youth.

The written reply, submitted to MLA Wagooga-Kreeri Irfan Hafiz Lone during the ongoing Autumn Session, directly addresses the issue of declining proficiency in Kashmiri among school-going children.

According to a copy of the government’s written reply obtained by Kashmir Convener, both the Department of Culture and the School Education Department are working in synergy to revive linguistic pride and cultural consciousness.

The Jammu & Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (JKAACL) is leading the charge through several key initiatives. The Academy regularly organizes seminars, debates, poetry recitations, storytelling sessions, theatre workshops, and cultural performances in educational institutions across the Kashmir Division. These programs are designed to encourage students to express themselves creatively in their mother tongue.

As stated in the reply, students are invited to venues like Tagore Hall in Srinagar to participate in and witness Kashmiri language programs, including Mushairas (poetic symposia), theatre plays, book releases, and interactive sessions with eminent poets and writers. This initiative exposes young learners to the richness of Kashmiri literature and performing arts.

Furthermore, the JKAACL collaborates with the Directorate of School Education, Kashmir, to organize literary and cultural events in schools, colleges, and universities, fostering an appreciation for the language among students and teachers alike.

Support is also extended to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to hold Kashmiri literary programs in rural and semi-urban areas, ensuring language promotion reaches the grassroots level.

In the realm of publishing, the Academy continues its rich tradition of releasing prestigious multilingual journals such as Sheeraza, Soan Adab, and Virasat. These publications feature poetry, short stories, essays, and research papers in Kashmiri, serving as vital platforms for preserving literary heritage and nurturing new writers.

Regarding archival and conservation efforts, the Department of Culture is actively preserving valuable manuscripts and rare Kashmiri books housed in the SPS Museum, the Archival Repository in Srinagar, and Central Public Libraries. These works are being catalogued, digitized, and conserved for posterity. Public awareness events like World Heritage Week are regularly organized to highlight this legacy.

Concurrently, the School Education Department has implemented significant academic reforms.

The Jammu & Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) has developed Kashmiri language textbooks from Class I to XII, making it a compulsory subject up to Class VIII. In line with the National Education Policy 2020, the Board has also initiated the translation of all textbooks into Kashmiri. The language remains an optional subject at secondary and higher secondary levels, with a steadily growing number of students opting for it.

For teacher training, the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) and District Institutes of Education and Training (DIETs) have trained over 10,000 teachers in mother tongue-based instruction under the “Whole Language Approach” to ensure effective classroom engagement.

The written reply states that to enrich learning, supplementary materials such as Gndbash, Wudaw, the Kaeshir Parnawnuk Module, and a Kashmiri e-Dictionary have been developed.