Rajeshwar Singh ‘Raju’
Prominent linguist K. David Harrison states, “Allowing languages to become extinct, along with the cultures and ecosystems they encapsulate, risks losing invaluable knowledge that can never be fully measured once it’s gone.”
The alarming decline of languages is evident, as languages that have taken centuries to develop can vanish in mere moments if neglected. A startling revelation from the Vadodra-based Bhasha Research and Publication Centre indicates that India has lost one-fifth of its languages over the last fifty years. This issue is a serious cause for concern; the report shows that the number of languages in India has decreased from approximately 1,100 in 1961 to 880 today, with 220 languages disappearing. This trend has prompted think tanks to devise concerted strategies to protect the remaining languages from a similar fate and to support the revival of those that have been lost. Additionally, another report highlights that a mere 6% of the world’s languages are spoken by 95% of its population, further emphasizing the urgent need to address the preservation of our mother tongues, especially during celebrations dedicated to them.
The decline in language preservation can be attributed largely to migration toward urban areas, both domestically and internationally, in search of better opportunities. This migratory trend poses a dual threat, undermining not only the survival of mother tongues but also the cultural heritage they carry. It is imperative to assess this situation and deliberate on potential solutions across various sectors of interest.
The crux of this discussion is Dogri, our mother tongue. December 22, 2003, marks a historic day for all Dogras, as it represents the successful inclusion of Dogri in the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution through the 92nd Amendment. Since then, we have celebrated DOGRI MAANTA DIN with great enthusiasm. However, we must scrutinize the challenges our language faces and ask ourselves if we are genuinely prepared to confront and resolve these issues. This is a pressing concern that deserves our collective attention.
Like many other mother tongues worldwide, we find ourselves in a similar crisis. Despite repeated resolutions, their long-term effectiveness is questionable. The concepts of “Mother” and “Mother Tongue” are interlinked beyond mere nomenclature—they are practically intertwined. Sadly, this vital connection is often relegated to literature, where writers proclaim that a mother and her language are synonymous. A mother is often the first teacher, and her words are instinctively absorbed by her children. Yet, paradoxically, many mothers hesitate to communicate in the language that depends on them for survival.
It’s crucial that we move beyond superficial discussions and complacency about the achievements we have made. Instead, we must focus on the serious consequences of inaction. DOGRI MAANTA DIN should serve not only as a day of celebration but also as a call to action. While gaining recognition among 22 languages in the Indian Constitution and being one of the five official languages of the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir is a remarkable milestone, we must now consider what comes next. Addressing the pressing issues threatening our mother tongue should be our priority, and this day provides an opportunity for introspection. Instead of assigning blame elsewhere, we must hold ourselves accountable to our own language.
We tend to engage in a ‘Name & Blame’ game, overlooking our own shortcomings. It is vital that when a shared cause demands our participation, we come together in solidarity to protect our collective interests. Promoting and preserving Dogri and the cultural traditions of Duggar Pradesh should be our collective agenda. We must set aside individual interests and unite as a force to advance this movement. Rather than lamenting others, we should endeavor to promote the language within our homes and impress upon our children the lasting value of knowledge acquired in their mother tongue, which has a profound impact. Importantly, this promotion should not breed animosity toward any language; however, when prioritization is needed, one’s own language should always take precedence. We can learn from countries such as Russia, China, Japan, and Germany, where there is a deep-rooted pride in their languages and cultures.
Interest in any language often correlates with job opportunities. Employers should be encouraged to allow employees to use their native languages for better productivity, as comfort is invariably found in one’s mother tongue. Increasing job prospects in mother tongues could inspire younger generations to learn and excel in their native languages. This brings us back to the fundamental need to promote and use our mother tongues actively and motivate others to do so as well. The government has introduced a new education policy to address the challenges faced by mother tongues, but its success hinges on widespread participation.
If mothers convey life’s foundational lessons to their children in their mother tongue, fathers express love in their native language, grandparents share tales through storytelling, friends engage in dialogue in their mother tongues, and if primary education is provided in the mother tongue, we can overcome these challenges together.
Despite the obstacles, it is essential to maintain a positive outlook, as optimism is key to overcoming adversity. We must identify challenges and seek solutions. Who else will advocate for our cause if we do not? Preserving our existence requires extra effort to confront the emerging threats to our language, culture, and heritage. These aspects are our roots, and severing ties with them would mean sacrificing our unique identity as a community. On a personal note, I find that expressing myself in other languages often brings a measure of stress. In contrast, communicating in Dogri feels inherently comforting. If this resonates with you, let’s embrace the idea of engaging in our mother tongue. Let us celebrate ‘DOGRI MAANTA DIN’ with a renewed sense of awareness and urgency. Happy DOGRI MAANTA DIN!
Perspectives
“The greatest challenge faced by Dogri is the dwindling interest of the younger generation in learning the language. This has resulted in fewer students opting to study Dogri at various educational levels. More often than not, it is the parents—many of whom are Dogras—who discourage their children from choosing Dogri. Furthermore, the government has shown a lack of seriousness in enforcing the requirement for Dogri to be a compulsory subject at the primary level, as mandated by the New Education Policy (NEP). Only a committed political will and vision from local leadership in Jammu can drive positive change in this area. Raising awareness about the importance of our mother tongue is an urgent necessity among Dogras.”
Prof. Lalit Magotra
President, Dogri Sanstha Jammu
“Although Dogri is included in the 8th Schedule and recognized as the court language of Jammu & Kashmir, it continues to struggle for survival. For instance, the Education Department and the Jammu & Kashmir Education Board of Studies have several pending issues related to the Duggar channel, the implementation of the national education policy, and many additional demands. It appears that the government and civil servants are not taking it seriously, and Dogras are often taken for granted due to their nationalistic nature. There are long-standing conspiracies against Dogri and Dogras. While we celebrate this day, we must also assess how to address these challenges.”
Padmashri Mohan Singh
Convener, Dogri Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi
“My earliest memories involve listening to my mother sing Dogri lullabies, lulling me to sleep with the soothing rhythm of the language. I never anticipated that mothers would one day refrain from singing in their mother tongue, opting instead for Hindi or English nursery rhymes. I also did not foresee that I would come to write literature in Dogri, where readers would consider reading my work as a favor. A major hurdle for Dogri is the ambivalence of Dogra mothers, coupled with students who enroll in Dogri language classes at higher education levels out of a sense of obligation. Compounding these social challenges, Dogri also faces systemic issues, such as insufficient governmental support to ensure the status and protections of regional languages in education. No official language in any province or region around the world is marginalized as severely as Dogri.”
Darshan Darshi (D.K. Vaid)
Sahitya Akademi Awardee
“The significance of a language is intricately tied to its speakers. Sadly, the number of Dogri speakers is on a steady decline. This downward trend stems from multiple factors: a lack of job opportunities for students pursuing Dogri, limited academic and research prospects in Dogri language and literature, insufficient representation in media and digital spaces, the overwhelming influence of dominant languages, and a lack of governmental initiatives to preserve the language. These challenges pose significant threats to the survival and growth of the Dogri language, necessitating collective efforts to revitalize it.”
Dr. Sushma Rani
Sahitya Akademi Awardee
This revised version retains the original article’s core message, while providing clearer phrasing and structure.
