Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 13: Kashmiri Pandits today demanded that Devnagri be included as alternative script for Kashmiri language so that the community children who can’t read and write Urdu and do not have any knowledge of Nastaliq script can read and write Kashmiri only if Devnagri is treated as an alternative script for Kashmiri.
The demand was made by senior vice president All India Kashmiri Samaj (AIKS) and a well known educationist, A K Raina at a function which was organized by Centre for Kashmiri Language, Literature and Culture, an AIKS initiative here this afternoon.
During the function Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner, M L Raina was the chief guest.
Raina also highlighted the contribution of AIKS and Centre for Kashmiri Language , Literature and Culture (CKLLC), Sharda Radio, FM 90.4, some cultural and literary organizations and theater groups like Samprati, Vyeth, Umedh etc.
He, while strongly advocating the inclusion of Devnagri as an alternative script for Kashmiri language said that the Government has included the regional languages in school curriculum so the students of KP community should be given the script of their choice for reading and writing the Kashmiri.
Addressing the function Tej Sagar, a poet and writer said that language is an important medium to keep the culture alive and the people who forget their language will automatically get delinked from their culture and moorings. He asked the social and literary organizations to come forward and play their role in protecting the Kashmiri language which is link to the rich cultural heritage.
Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner, M L Raina appreciated the role of various social organizations that are carrying community activities which are instrumental in maintaining the socio-cultural standards of the community while in displacement.
In his address Vijay Aima, president, AIKS gave a brief account of the activities of Centre for Kashmiri Language, Literature and Culture. He conveyed that over the past many years the organization played a pivotal role in awakening the lost roots through literature and culture. Appreciating the role of Omkar Koul, Aima said that Koul gave the best to his ability for the cause of community. Lauding the role of A N Koul Sahib, Aima said that his contributions can never be forgotten whether towards Naad an AIKS Magazine or Vaakh etc.
P N Shad a well known writer and poet expressed the hope that the Center would come to the expectations of the poets and writers and work for promotion and preservation of Kashmiri language and culture.
Kiran Wattal former Commissioner JMC who was the guest of honour said Centre for Kashmiri Languages has a role to play in keeping the younger generation of community linked to their roots by promoting Kashmiri, Language, literature and culture. He said though the Centre has taken up the onus to itself in this regard but it has to redouble its efforts in achieving desired results.
Prof Usha Tickoo coordinator Women Wing AIKS also spoke on the occasion.
On the occasion awards were presented to various social activists of the community who have served in different capacities. They included Vir Ji Bhat, Rinku Kou, Rakesh Roshan Bhat, and Rockey Pandita. The artists of Vomedh Rangmach were also presented the awards on the occasion.
The programme was coordinated by Aryan Ramesh, secretary AIKS.
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