Dr Kasturi Lal
gupta.janak010@gmail.com
True Spirit of a culture is determined by the treatment which society gives to language around it. Incredible cultural diversity of Duggar region has supported communities to be liberal and tolerant. During the last few decades, the Duggar region has been enduring Conflict of interest and socio-political mismatch. In the successive dispensation the Dogra identity which gave belonging to different Communities has weakened. It has been a cause of introspection The moral fabric of society and conduct of political system of the region has undermined its authority before the forces which have no stake in aspiration of Jammu. This has led Duggar Samaj to rediscover its shared identity.
The Socio-political power has taken rejoice in reinforcing the statuesque than to protect the interest of Dogra region. This has resulted in massive diminishing of elocution of language of Dogras. The Regional language development concurrent with academic and career development without sociopolitical support which is responsive to interest of children of a community, justice to Dogri language will remain rhetorical. Glaring loopholes in incorporation of Dogri in System of education has erected a wall between stakeholders and Sociopolitical system.
The identity of Dogras as a collective civilization of Duggar region can be expressed through its language culture and heritage where contradictions between worship and reality, honesty and desire can be differentiated. The language of a community is invaluable asset that enrich its culture and heritage. Its conservation and cultural conservation go hand in hand. Their symbiotic association will not allow their survival when viewed in isolation. Culture of a region will take pride when its language flourish.
Dogri was included in the Eight Schedule of the Indian constitution which provided Dogri the status of official language of UT of J&K. As per norms, the official language is taught as Compulsory Subject in primary classes to help them to know their culture and to connect them with people and build healthy relationship. The claims of national educational policy NEP 2020 which advocate that mother language should be included in curriculum of study between 1 to 5th-Standard Classes in schools Dogri finds no place as subject of study in schools. Language, which are spoken by less than one percent of J&K residents are taught-compulsory subjects of study in schools ignoring the claim of NEP 2020.
Recent insertions in the press and electronic media and experiences on ground signal towards an alarming situation about educational system of JKUT which is under pressure to exclude Dogri from syllabus of curriculum of education. Deeprooted bias, sociopolitical apathy and inaccessible institutions are multiple barriers that have prevented Dogri language to grow. Sofar initiatives taken by institutions or acadamies have been conceived as inward-looking celebration affirmative with symbolism of culture identity. Cultural voice of Duggar which is marginal, fragmented, has not been made resilient and worthy of sustained engagement. The new generations have inherited uncertainty about who they are ? They are living without sense of belonging.
The recent trends show that there is a rise in number of activities which are supported by Dogra attire, songs, rituals, publications and competitions amongst students of schools and colleges. This trend focus on increasing awareness amongst the people to look forward to a system of education where children are educated in homes, schools, colleges about mother language concurrent with their academic and career growth. An arrangement of competition amongst the students of schools and colleges in Dogri elocution have ripple effect in determining the beginning which becomes embedded in the education culture of the region. Trends reveal a significant transformation in students’ aspiration.
The education of mother languages begins in childhood and permeate the school ethos. It must be integrated into school curricula and daily practices and community engagements. Countering decades of neglect demands frequent awareness campaign. It requires multiplatform, regional movement targeting schools, municipalities, workplaces. welfare association and media to continuously reinforce the massage.
It is high time to shake the consciousness of stakeholders who should part with passive attitude to own duty of a responsible culture protector citizen. The time for passive citizens is over and an era of responsible duty conscious culture protector must begin now.
(The author is Chairman Senior Citizen Support Club Chowadi Jammu)
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