Efforts to preserve Urdu language in Kashmir

Efforts are being made to preserve Urdu language, which is not only the mother tongue of the Kashmiri people, but also serves as an identity from cultural and traditional point of view.

The authorities at Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages say efforts are being made to promote Urdu but it is not enough until the common man understands and speaks the language.

"Just like other languages, efforts are being made to promote Urdu language as well. Annual anthology is being printed in Urdu, poetic conventions and conferences are also being held in Urdu, but the main concern is that unless the common man understands the importance of his own language, then the efforts by the institutions would not be sufficient enough and will be a one-sided approach," said Additional Secretary of the academy," said Amandeep Singh.

Jammu and Kashmir has a rich history of over 5,000 years and has produced exceptional poets, writers and authors in Urdu language.

However, with the rise in modernisation and western culture, many civil societies and people think that the coming generation may get disconnected with the language.

"We inherited this language. 90 percent of Islamic literature is in Urdu. The coming generation will not be able to understand Islamic course as they don't know Urdu, all our course, religious writings and texts are in Urdu," said a writer, Maqsood Ahmad.

There is a need to preserve the rich cultural heritage of Urdu language, literature and art forms like calligraphy and painting. Apart from preserving the past, one needs to make the study of Urdu relevant to the aspiring youth of the country.