Srinagar, Feb 25: The Department of Kashmiri, Government College for Women (GCW), M.A. Road, Srinagar, commemorated International Mother Language Day with a thought-provoking event aimed at underscoring the significance of linguistic and cultural heritage.
The event featured esteemed scholars Prof. Shad Ramzan, former Head of the Department of Kashmiri at the University of Kashmir and Executive Member of the Sahitya Akademi Advisory Board, along with Prof. Sadaf Munshi from the Department of Linguistics, University of North Texas.
In her welcome address, Prof. (Dr.) Yasmeen Farooq Khan, Principal of GCW M.A. Road, spoke on the importance of mother tongues in shaping identity and preserving cultural diversity. “This day reminds us of the crucial role our mother languages play in shaping our heritage. Kashmiri is not just a medium of communication; it is the soul of our culture, our history, and our collective memory. Sometimes, the most profound expressions can only be conveyed in one’s mother tongue,” she remarked.
She further highlighted the emphasis placed on mother tongue-based education in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, noting that children grasp concepts more effectively when taught in their native language. “The NEP-2020 recommends that, wherever possible, the medium of instruction should be the mother tongue. Even when textbooks are unavailable in a native language, the language of interaction between teachers and students should remain the mother tongue,” she added. Prof. Yasmeen urged students not only to speak in Kashmiri but also to write in their native language, emphasising the lasting power of the written word.
Renowned Kashmiri scholar Prof. Shad Ramzan addressed common misconceptions surrounding the Kashmiri language, particularly among younger generations. “Many young people hesitate to speak Kashmiri in public due to an unfounded sense of inferiority. Our language is as ancient as Sanskrit and Persian, yet we often overlook its richness,” he stated. He elaborated on Kashmiri’s literary significance, referencing Lal Ded, whose mystic poetry remains unparalleled.
“We frequently quote poets from other languages, yet Kashmiri literature is just as profound and deserves greater recognition. Languages are the bedrock of cultural heritage, encapsulating traditions, folklore, and oral histories passed down through generations,” he noted. Prof. Sadaf Munshi, a linguist known for her research on endangered languages, spoke extensively on language documentation and preservation efforts.
She shared insights from her fieldwork on Burushaski and Mankiyali, two endangered South Asian languages, and highlighted the alarming rate at which many native languages are disappearing.
