JAMMU, Sep 4:(KNS) Former MLC Vikramaditya Singh welcomed the inclusion of Dogri, Hindi and Kashmiri among the new five official languages of Jammu and Kashmir.
In a statement issued to KNS, today, Vikramaditya said that this was a long pending demand of the people of Jammu region to declare Dogri as the official language of Jammu & Kashmir. He further said that it was a matter of pride and honour for all Dogras that Dogri language has been given due recognition as it will encourage the people to speak and contribute in their native language.
The scion of the erstwhile Dogra Royal family also said that now it is the responsibility and duty of all Dogras to preserve and promote their mother tongue, Dogri and pass it on to the younger generation.
Vikramaditya also applauded the recent inclusion of a chapter on the history of the Dogra dynasty of J&K in NCERT’s 8th grade history book. He said J&K was one of the most progressive princely states, that was created and nurtured by the Dogras and became a part of India due to the efforts of the Dogras.
Vikramaditya said that the younger generations of Jammu & Kashmir must learn the colossal contributions of the Dogra rulers who founded and developed the erstwhile state of Jammu & Kashmir such as Maharaja Gulab Singh and Maharaja Ranbir Singh.
Vikramaditya further added that this move was a good start but one chapter was not enough and more needed to be done in future to educate students on Dogra history and contributions. He said that the Government and NCERT should seriously consider expanding the number of chapters to comprehensively cover over one hundred significant years of Dogra history that had a great socio-political impact in the entire subcontinent.
Vikramaditya also said that more classes beyond the 8th standard students should be exposed and educated on this subject. However, he also praised and appreciated those behind the decision of introducing the aforesaid chapter in the NCERT syllabus.(KNS)