Sir,
This refers to the writeup ‘Dogra O Keda, Jeda Dogri Ni Bolda'(DE,May7,2015).The writer has beautifully highlighted the role of Dogri language in transmitting the culture, traditions of our forefathers to to us and then to the coming generations.But it is sad and unfortunate that the habit of using Dogri as a language for everyday communication is dying fast in the young generation.Speaking in Dogri is considered to be inferior to speaking in Hindi or English, not only by the educated class but also by the illiterate semiliterate people .Parents generally encourage their children to talk in Hindi or English and no wonder that some over enthusiastic and overambitious educated people go to the extent of preventing their children to talk to their illiterate grandparents and other relatives lest they should learn Dogri from them.It is true that one who speaks in Dogri is considered ‘graeen’ or rustic or uncultured while speaking in English is considered to be a status symbol.
Though a lot of rich literature including novels, plays, collection of short stories have been published in Dogri and this beautiful language of the Dogras has been included in the 8th schedule of the Indian Constitution, it is a fact that the craze for using Dogri as a language of everyday conversation is dying fast in our youth.It is high time that the parents teachers and government realised the gravity of the situation and took measures to arrest this trend.They ought to promote this language and themselves ought to speak Dogri both at home and in offices.The use of Dogri folk and other songs on the eve of religious and social functions such as marriages,mundans etc.and also on the eve of National Functions such as Independence Day,Republic Day etc.can also help a lot in promoting this language.Quiz ,essay and debate competitions should also be organised on the history and literature of Dogri in order to popularise this sweet language.Dogri is the pride of the Dogras and it should be promoted as such.Though, it is not bad to let children learn other foreign and Indian languages,doing so at the cost Dogri is no wise proposition.The writer has rightly remarked that one who doesn’t know how to speak Dogri can’t claim to be a real Dogra and if Dogras will not speak and promote this language,who else will?
Yours etc….
Ashok Sharma ‘Graeen’
Flat No 4, Housing Colony, Udhampur
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