Omkar Dattatray
It is apt to start this write up with the dogri quote,” Methe de Dogri ni boli Ta Khand methe Log Dogre”’ meaning Dogra language is so sweet and sweeter than that are the Dogras. India is a mosaic and repository of hundreds of languages and dialects and it is a country of rich cultural legacy, traditions ,customs and rituals .Every language is holy and essential to communicate and express ideas. Different languages are preserved, protected and are the means of transmitting ideas and education, besides being the vehicles of interaction and communication. Dogri is one fine language which is mostly talked, written ,understood and communicated in the Jammu region of the Jammu and Kashmir .It is the pleasant and most sweet language used and understood by the Dogras and other People residing in Jammu region .It is pertinent to mention that dogri language had been enlisted in the eight schedule of the constitution of India on August 18, 2003 through the 92rd Amendment Act and on 22rd December Dogri was officially added and recognized as a scheduled language .The 8th schedule of our constitution names 22 languages which are indeed some of the major languages of India to mark this multilingualism .But the constitutional recognition to dogri language had been possible only after the strenuous struggle of Dogras for the last over 70 years .Dogri Maanta Diwas or Dogri Manta Diwas is observed since 22 December 2003 every year to commemorate the inclusion of Dogri language in the Eight Schedule of the constitution of India .Various function at the government level and private level have been organized on 22rd December to commemorate the inclusion of Dogri language in the constitution of the country .LG,Manoj Sinha has extended his heartiest greetings to the people of J&K ,Dogri speaking focks of the UT in particular .The LG observed that a language is a cultural identity ,heritage ,and promotion of any language needs our collective efforts .The growth and development of the culture of any linguistic group is directly related with the promotion and preservation of its language and cultural legacy and language is the distinctive identity and individuality of any community and so efforts should be made to promote ,preserve and develop languages and Dogri language is no exception .On this solemn occasion of Dogri Manita Diwas ,we should not only take pride in dogri language but resolve to promote ,preserve and transmit it to our future generations .Let us make it a habit to talk in our mother tongue dogri and encourage children who are our future leaders to talk in dogri language .LG has said the development of any region shall also be measured with the development of local culture ,literature ,and language .To achieve the desired results on the ground ,the government is making determined efforts for the promotion of Dogri and other local languages of J&K .He further stressed that not only government ,but every stakeholder must come together for the promotion and preservation of Dogri language and heritage and must pay attention to use of local languages for the protection of the cultural identity .Pertinently ,Dogri has already been included in the official languages of the UTB of Jammu and Kashmir.Dogri Language is being taught as a elective subject at plus two level .On Dogri Maanta Diwas,a special program was organized at Shiv Sena office wherein Shiv Sainiks raised placards with slogans ”No Hello ,No Namaste -only Jai Duggar .”While addressing the gathering ,Shiv Sena ,J&K President Manish Sahni stressed the need to communicate in mother tongue .On the occasion of ,20th Dogri Maanta Diwas ,various organizations held special programmes to commemorate the day.In a function in this regard Nami Dogri Sansthan -NDS former deputy chief Minister Kavinder Gupta was the chief guest while senior journalist Nishikant Khajuria presided over the event .Nidhi Dogra Sharma ,Patron Dogri Samaj Trust Mumbai ,and daughter of the late Girdari Lal Dogra ,was the guest of honor and Parveen Sharma ,Chairman of the Citizens Co-operative Bank Ltd. Jammu was the special guest .Prof Anuparma Sharma ,Patron NDS ,Capt Lalit Sharma Convener NDS ,and Advocate Dogra Harish Kaila ,president NDS ,shared the dais .On this occasion ,four senior journalists ,namely Surinder Sagar ,Ritesh Gupta ,Rajinder Kitchloo and Jangh Singh Verman were felicitated for their outstanding services in the field of journalism in general and for propagating the cause of Dogri language and culture in particular .In his address ,Kavinder Gupta stressed the need to encourage all ,particularly children to start speaking Dogri in their homes .Nishikant Khajuria said that new generation has started associating with Dogri and our rich heritage .Moreover functions on this day were organized by educational institutes ,degree collages ,Jammu university ,MVDU and other institutes where light was thrown on the importance of Dogri Maanta Diwas and the need to communicate in Dogri language and to preserve and promote dogri and Dogra culture .The biggest function to commemorate Dogri Maanta Diwas was held at Abhinav Theatre which was attended by Dr Jatindra Singh MOS ,PMO ,Sciene, Space techonology ,Personnel and Pensions etc. and a galaxy of thinkers and Dogri intellectuals and lovers of Dogri language and all stressed the need and importance of promotion ,preservation and transmitting dogri to the young generation .On this occasion Dr Singh said ,drawing strength from the rich Dogra legacy .He called upon the youth of the dogra community to come out of the old mindset of sarkari Naukri and take the advantage of the startup system envisioned by Prime Minister Modi and be part and parcel of a bright future and career .The MoS further said it is time now to make a mark in global world of which India has already become an essential part after 2014 when Prime Minister Narendra Modi took over .Addressing a programme organized to observe ”Dogra Diwas” commemorating the inclusion of Dogri language in the Indian constitution and the ”International Dogra Legacy Excellence Awards 2024 Dr Jitendra Singh said there was a rich Dogra legacy from the earlier times which has even after partition ,produced some internationally acclaimed icons like the famous Space Scientist and Founder ISRO Prof Satish Dhawan and renowned singer of the Indian Sub-Continent Malika Pokhraj or musicians like Shiv Kumar Sharma and Ustad Allah Rakha ,though this may not be a very widely known fact in some sections .He added while celebrating the legacy gives us inspiration and confidence ,nevertheless to keep the legacy alive for posterity and prosperity .It is equally important to carry it forward to next generation and destination in today’s context ,would imply Dogra contribution in making of Viksit Bharat of 2047.He observed that in the last 10 years during the Modi rule ,there has been the resurgence of Dogra pride and it is mainly attributable to some of the long awaited decisions taken by this government including declaring of holiday on the birthday of Maharaja Hari Singh Ji ,observing the Accession Day of J&K and inclusion of dogri as an official language. Exhorting Dogra community especially youth to be part of mainstream growth story of India .He said there is no dearth of talent or potential in Dogra youth but what is required is to change of mindset and liberation from the obsession for ”Sarkari Naukri.” Let me conclude this article with a dogri song Bhala Sipahiya Dorgariya. Jai Hind,Jai Dugger and Jai Dogri.
(The author is a columnist, social and KP activist)
