JAMMU, November 11, 2025 : Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment, and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmed Rana, inaugurated the two-day Jammu Language Conference titled “Jammuiet aur Zaban-o-Adab” at the University of Jammu on Tuesday.
The event, organized by the Department of Urdu in collaboration with the Himalayan Education Mission, Rajouri, aims to celebrate and explore the linguistic and literary richness of the Jammu region.
Addressing a distinguished gathering of scholars, linguists, writers, and students, Minister Rana commended the Department of Urdu for hosting a platform that unites experts and enthusiasts from diverse linguistic backgrounds.
He underscored the importance of such academic forums in strengthening Jammu and Kashmir’s cultural and linguistic heritage, stating,
“These initiatives play a pivotal role in preserving our composite identity. The University must continue to nurture such dialogues to ensure that our languages and literature thrive across generations.”
Rana proposed the establishment of a dedicated Research Centre for Regional Languages at the University of Jammu to promote systematic study, documentation, and preservation of the Union Territory’s vast linguistic diversity.
“The proposed Centre should spearhead research in language development, analysis, and usage across Jammu and Kashmir. It will serve as a repository of linguistic knowledge and a catalyst for innovation in cultural studies,” he said.
The Minister highlighted Urdu’s role as a linguistic bridge connecting people across the subcontinent and lauded the writers and poets of Jammu for their contributions to regional literature, vividly portraying the area’s life, traditions, and natural beauty through their works.
Emphasizing Jammu’s linguistic plurality, Rana noted that the region is home to a mosaic of languages and dialects — Bhaderwahi, Gojri, Kishtawari, Pahari, Pogli, Siraji, Gaddi, Kashmiri, Dogri, among others — each carrying its own cultural essence.
He urged civil society, writers, and educational institutions to play an active role in preserving and promoting native languages, calling language preservation a shared cultural duty.
“Every language represents a civilization. Its survival depends not only on academic institutions but also on the love and effort of its people,” he remarked.
Rana concluded by extending best wishes to the Urdu Department and commended it for initiating a literary dialogue on a theme often overlooked in Jammu and Kashmir’s cultural discourse.
The conference will continue on Wednesday with multiple sessions on Jammu’s linguistic identity, regional dialects, and evolving literary expressions.
