Indian Army to establish Shina Cultural Centre in Gurez to promote, preserve Dard culture, language
Dawar, May 16: Indian Army is all set to facilitate the people of Gurez to establish Shina Cultural Centre with an aim to promote and safeguard the culture and language of the Dard tribe.
An official of the Indian Army said Gurez Valley with its Ancient History linked to Dardistan and distinctiveness of Shina Language has unique identity and culture which deserves to be nurtured and celebrated.
He said the recent development and socio economic advancements has led to negligence of preserving of the Dard and Shina Culture. “It is with this thought that Shina Cultural Centre is being conceptualised for the Dard tribals of Gurez”.
The Officer further stated that the centre will be established in coordination with the Civil Administration and Department of Tourism to promote and safeguard the culture and language of the Dardi People and a range of activities shall be carried out for the purpose. The centre will be formally inaugurated in August this year.
The Indian army on Tuesday hosted a preparatory workshop that was attended by academicians and scholars and discussed the aims, objectives and activities of the centre.
Officials said about 50 prominent people from Gurez, Srinagar and Delhi attended the workshop.
Dr Musavir from Kashmir University chaired the workshop where he conducted the workshop in three sections to include, The museology for the Shina Cultural Centre, The Shina Langauge and the Cultural Encyclopaedia.
The Workshop was also attended by Commander, Snow Leopard brigade, Film-maker & Journalist Syed Mahmoud Nawaz, Principal, HSS Dragger , Budgam Mushtaq Ahmad Sheikh and other academicians and scholars besides senior officers
Officials said the workshop has motivated the Dard community of Gurez and provided them with a platform to connect with each other to promote and document the history of Dards.
“The initiative has rallied the will of the Dards in Gurez to make this cultural centre a world class institute and has lead to enhanced community engagement for sustainable growth of the Shina Cultural Centre”.
