Congratulating the Inclusion of the Gojri Language in the Curriculum and Expressing Hope for the Pahari Language

Share With Other!

Written by Khawaja Kabir Ahmed Image by Amiruddin Mughal

Language is a fundamental pillar of any nation’s identity, culture, and civilization. It is not only a means of expressing thoughts and emotions but also a repository of history, traditions, and cultural heritage. Various languages are spoken in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, including Pahari, Gojri, Kashmiri, and others. Recently, the Government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir made a commendable decision by issuing a notification to include the Gojri language in the curriculum. This decision is a significant achievement for Gojri speakers, and all citizens who speak this language deserve congratulations. This step will undoubtedly serve as a milestone in the promotion, preservation, and transmission of the Gojri language to future generations. The inclusion of a language in the curriculum plays a crucial role in its development, as the survival and strength of any language can be ensured through the education system. Teaching the Gojri language will enhance its literature, history, and culture, providing the younger generation with an opportunity to learn and write in their mother tongue.

Pahari speakers warmly welcome this decision and share in the joy of their Gojri-speaking brothers and sisters upon the recognition of their rightful linguistic heritage. However, this decision has also heightened the hopes of Pahari speakers regarding the inclusion of their language in the curriculum. A large number of Pahari speakers have long been struggling for the preservation and promotion of their language. The government should now take the next step and issue a notification for the inclusion of the Pahari language in the academic syllabus without delay. Pahari is the mother tongue of millions of people in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and holds a vast historical and cultural background. Writers, poets, and researchers of this language have been striving for its growth and promotion for years. If the Pahari language is included in the curriculum, it will not only help preserve it but will also educate the new generation about their cultural heritage, strengthening their connection with their roots.

It is an undeniable fact that the progress of any region is impossible without respecting its cultural and linguistic identity. Azad Jammu and Kashmir is home to multiple languages, each carrying a unique historical and civilizational significance. Incorporating these languages into the education system will not only improve academic standards but will also foster social harmony and mutual respect among different linguistic communities. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the government to grant equal importance to all languages spoken in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and integrate them into the curriculum. This step will ensure the preservation of these languages while also allowing the younger generation to learn and stay connected to their cultural heritage. Teaching these languages in educational institutions will contribute to the promotion of local literature, history, and cultural identity, which are essential for the advancement of any nation.

The Government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir must take immediate action to include the Pahari language in the curriculum so that Pahari-speaking individuals can receive education in their mother tongue and contribute to its further development. The decision to include the Gojri language in the syllabus has demonstrated the government’s commitment to promoting regional languages. Therefore, it is hoped that a positive step will soon be taken regarding the Pahari language as well.

The inclusion of the Gojri language in the curriculum is a highly commendable initiative that will significantly benefit the linguistic and cultural development of Gojri-speaking citizens. Congratulations once again to all Gojri-speaking residents on this achievement. At the same time, we remain hopeful that a similar decision will soon be made for the Pahari language. The struggle for the promotion of all mother languages will continue, and only when all languages are given equal status will our region truly embark on the path of educational and cultural progress