DODA: The Chenab Times Foundation, a registered trust focused on promoting art, culture, and addressing public grievances, has called for the prioritization of Bhaderwahi and Sarazi languages in the school and university curriculum. This move is aimed at preserving the rich linguistic heritage of the Chenabi population, which includes the Bhaderwahis and Sarazis of the Chenab Valley.
Anzer Ayoob, president of the Chenab Times Foundation, highlighted the extensive research that has already been conducted on the grammar and potential scripts of both languages. "There have been numerous studies on Bhaderwahi and Sarazi, even covering their grammatical structures and possible scripts. Now, it is time for these languages to be recognized academically and included as subjects in schools and universities," said Ayoob.
The Foundation's plea comes at a crucial time when the government is intensifying efforts to promote regional languages. On Monday, Home Minister Amit Shah was unanimously re-elected as the chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Official Language. Shah noted that while the promotion of the official language has been ongoing for 75 years, the past decade has seen a shift in focus under the NDA government.
With this backdrop, Ayoob emphasized the importance of introducing Bhaderwahi and Sarazi into educational institutions to ensure their preservation. He stressed that the Chenabi people have a deep cultural connection to these languages, and incorporating them into academic syllabi would not only preserve them but also strengthen the cultural identity of the Chenab Valley.
"The languages spoken by the Chenabi population are crucial to the identity of the region. Adding Bhaderwahi and Sarazi as subjects in schools and universities will ensure that future generations take pride in their linguistic heritage," Ayoob said.
The Chenab Times Foundation has urged the government and educational bodies to act swiftly, recognizing Bhaderwahi and Sarazi as academic subjects to safeguard the linguistic diversity of the Chenab Valley.
