On Mother Language Day, Dogri sinks into oblivion

Vikram Sharma

Tribune News Service

Jammu, February 21

The Dogri language of the Jammu region has not been able to get due recognition. A major challenge that the language faces is that the younger generation is not finding it relevant.

While International Mother Language Day was observed on Thursday, no Dogri seminar, conclave or lecture was held in the Jammu region by any organisation or individual.

Sushma Sharma, head of the Dogri department, University of Jammu, said: “This is the collective responsibility of all learned people and social organisations of the region to disseminate their expertise in the language to the younger generation. Mother Language Day was a special occasion which should have been used to generate interest among youth.”

Sushma Sharma said the department had arranged a students’ meeting with some famous Dogra personalities on Thursday, but it had to be deferred till next week due to exams.

A college student, Siddharth Sharma, said there was no platform to learn Dogri. “We often get to read an article in a newspaper or hear from a Dogri campaigner on the TV, but on the ground, there is no platform where the young can learn the language. Besides, the language is not even taught at homes,” he said.

“The inclusion of Dogri in the eighth schedule was the only achievement of the Dogras, which otherwise seems to have no relevance in the region. The few books and poems, which are published in the Dogri language, are seldom purchased by readers,” said Priya Gupta, a poetess from Jammu.

Proprietor of Kitab Mahal at Pacca Danga Gaurav Mahajan said: “We do not have a single buyer for the Dogri books. So we do not sell them. There is more demand for Urdu books. Even books in French are in demand,” said Gaurav.

Gaurav said students who knew high school-level Urdu could secure a government job, but there was no scope for Dogri.

Aaditya Bhanu, a young art practitioner from Jammu, said only culture could boost the language and preserve its sanctity.

“The Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages only holds dance and music shows to observe various Dogri days. It has never conducted an event where children and youth can get in-depth knowledge of the language and also learn it,” said Aaditya.