Prof. Lalit Magotra
In a recently organized two-day conference of Dogri Writers by J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (February 5th and 6th, 2013), a general concern and apprehension was palpable, through-out the proceeding of the conference, about declining usage of Dogri among Dogras.
It was pointed out that, at present, Dogri shows all the symptoms of a language which is at the verge of extinction. Statistics shows that, whereas the publication of Dogri books has grown exponentially over the years, especially after inclusion of Dogri in the VIIIth schedule of Indian Constitution, Dogri as a spoken language is losing its hold over the general public, particularly among the younger lot. According to experts, the second most prominent reason for the extinction of a language is when the older generation does not converse in that language with their younger generation. The first reason for extinction being the mass annihilation of a community speaking that language in a natural catastrophe. Sadly, Dogras are also afflicted with the serious malaise of not speaking Dogri to their youngsters. This dangerous trend is on the rise and hence this beautiful and sweet language faces the threat of being lost in the sands of time.
The prediction of extinction of a language is not hypothetical. A large number of languages have disappeared in the past. Based on these trends, it is estimated that out of the 6000-7000 living languages in the world today, about half will be extinct in the next hundred years. Incidentally, Dogri is not the only language faced with this threat, but most of the regional and minor languages await the same fate, unless some concrete and pragmatic steps are taken to save these languages.
It is true that the ultimate responsibility of perpetuation and growth of mother tongue as a language lies with the community which speaks it. In case of Dogri, the Dogras will have to wake-up to the situation and be prepared for some drastic changes in their attitudes and approach towards their mother tongue. What Dogras need to do is a topic that requires a separate detailed discussion and we leave it for some other occasion. The intent here is to point out that only the efforts of the community, on its own, are not sufficient in this regard. The Government has also to play a pivotal role in providing boost to growth and promotion of the languages of the communities which it represents. It is the combined effort of the community as well as its representative Government which can ensure the progress of a language. In case of language like Dogri, the role of the Government becomes even more crucial and important, especially in the field of education. Integrating Dogri with education, in general and at primary level in particular, will act as catalyst for popularizing this language among the youngsters .
In addition to its political and social responsibility, the State Government is also under constitutional obligation to make all-out effort for promotion of Dogri, as Dogri is included both in the VIIIth schedule of Indian Constitution as well as VIth schedule of the Constitution of J&K State. Consequently, not only that Dogri needs to be taught at all levels of School, College and University education, it is also the right of Dogri speaking children that they be taught at primary level of education in their mother tongue. There are many other provisions for development of languages included in the VIIIth schedule of Indian Constitution, which fall under the ambit of State Government, but here we will discuss matters pertaining to education only, for the reason that most effective way to empower a language is by making it a part of education system.
As far as Government of Jammu and Kashmir is concerned, it has not taken any serious note of the provision in the Indian Constitution which can play defining role in the development of regional languages. However, the State Government, even prior to inclusion of Dogri in VIIIth schedule, had made some tentative and half hearted attempts to promote those languages which are included in the VIth schedule of State Constitution.
In the year 2001, with lot of fanfare, the State Government launched a programme to introduce Dogri and other languages of the State from class 4th onwards in Schools. In Jammu, a special function at Abhinav Theatre was held in which Dr. Farooq Abdullah, the then Chief Minister, released books of Dogri and other languages, which were to be prescribed in the classes. But there was no follow up of this policy and the whole effort fizzled out.
Again after five years the Education Department brought out a notification in April 2006, which states – “Sanction is hereby accorded to the introduction of six mother languages namely Kashmiri, Dogri, Punjabi, Gojri, Pahari and Bodhi in the areas where such languages are spoken as mother tongue from Class 1st in all Government/private recognized institutions of the State from the current academic session.” Like the previous effort of the Government, this order also turned out to be a non-starter due to lack of planning, vision and interest.
The only meaningful outcome of these efforts was that text books in Dogri from class 4th to 8th were prepared after year 2001 and for class 1st to 4th after year 2006. These books were prepared by some teachers of Dogri Department of Jammu University through workshops organized by J&K State Board of School Education. But that was all. After that nothing moved in this direction. The books prepared are collecting dust in the stores of Board and are lying neglected and unutilized.
If the government was really serious about introducing Dogri or other regional languages in the education system of the state, the first and foremost step should had been making the teachers available in the schools to carry out this policy . But no effort by the Government has been made to recruit teachers at primary and middle levels to teach Dogri. If recruiting new teachers was considered difficult or impractical due to budget constraints, no effort was made to train already employed ‘willing teachers’ to teach Dogri, through well organized training programmes. The author of these lines can state on the basis of his personal knowledge that a number of employed primary and other teachers were prepared for teaching Dogri, if the Government had organized some training programmes under guidance of teachers from University and other experts. Incidentally there is a provision for the State Governments in regard to language included in the VIIIth schedule of Indian Constitution, to establish Training Institute in their States for this purpose. Absence of any such effort in this direction only exposes the lack of planning and will on the part of the State Government.
Non-implementation of these policies has deprived young students of 7161 primary schools and 3514 middle schools of Jammu Province from studying in their mother tongue. In none of these 10675 schools Dogri is being taught. This speaks volumes about Government’s apathy and lack of commitment. This is the scenario with regard to the position of Dogri up to middle level in schools.
Now let us look at higher classes. As far as class 9th and 10th are concerned, Dogri has been introduced as additional optional subject. Which means it is up to the student, whether he/she would like to study Dogri or not and further the marks of Dogri subject are not added to the result. With this incentive-less policy it is natural that there are not many takers for this opportunity. The difficulties of Dogri are further compounded by the fact that there are only about 10 teachers in as many as 825 High Schools in Jammu province. At the Higher Secondary level, where Dogri is taught as an elective subject in class 11th & 12th, of the 298 schools in Jammu region, there are merely 14 schools which have a Dogri Teacher. In the absence of Dogri teachers a large number of students desirous of studying Dogri at higher secondary level, ultimately opt for other subjects in desperation.
One must bear in mind that higher secondary schools act as feeders for colleges. With such a pathetic situation in schools , how does one expect to have a good turnover of students who would opt for Dogri subject at college level ?
This plight of Dogri in the education system of the State does nothing to instill any confidence about a bright future of this language. The responsibility of ensuring Dogri its due place and status in the education system lies with the State government, particularly with the duly elected representatives from Dogra region. It is certainly appreciable that many of the political and social representatives and bureaucrats address public during functions and meetings in Dogri but what is required is a lot more than this and that is- an honest and dedicated effort to get Dogri integrated in the education system.
Mother tongue is like a mother and a mother does not deserve to be neglected.
(The author is president of Dogri Sanstha, Jammu and former Dean, faculty of Sciences, University of , Jammu.)
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