Kargil, Oct 25: In a remarkable development within the literary and research sphere, the First Balti Research & Study Centre was inaugurated with great enthusiasm at Balti Manzil, Balti Bazar Kargil of Ladakh.
The inauguration was presided over by the renowned Scholar and Author, Kacho Asfindayar Khan Faridoon. This significant endeavor was initiated by the President of the Association of Baltis for Himalaya & Territories of Indus, Mr. Bashir Ahmad Wafa.
The inaugural event saw the presence of esteemed figures including Padma Shri Akhone Asgar Ali Basharat, Educationist and Director of Kargil Campus University of Ladakh, Madame Kaneez Fatima, State Awardee Ghulam Ahmad Jawan, SE IFS&PHE Kargil Maqbool Husssain, and Sardar Karan Singh, President of Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee Kargil, among other prominent personalities.
Kacho Asfindiyar Khan Faridoon commended the initiative spearheaded by the distinguished poet Bashir Ahmad Wafa. He expressed the belief that such endeavors are crucial for enlightening future generations about the language, culture, and traditions of society, while also playing a pivotal role in the preservation, revival, and promotion of languages.
Faridoon expressed his commitment to support Bashir Ahmad Wafa in this noble mission, emphasizing that the literary community of Kargil would unite to assist in the revival and preservation of the Balti Language. As a symbol of his commitment, he generously donated his books and various other literary works to the Research Centre.
Sardar Karan Singh, demonstrating solidarity, made a generous contribution of Rs 5000 for the center and assured his community’s full support for the cause.
Founder of the Centre, Bashir Ahmad Wafa, addressing the media, articulated the pressing need to protect indigenous languages in an era of globalization and the digital world. He noted that many small languages are at risk of disappearing, a revelation he made while interacting with students. This revelation prompted his noble initiative.
Wafa urged all language and literature enthusiasts to come forward and support him in this mission, emphasizing that it’s not limited to the Balti Language but encompasses all languages and fields. The inauguration of the First Balti Research & Study Centre stands as a beacon of hope for the preservation and promotion of language and culture in the region.
