Ehsaas Foundation Calls for Revitalising Kashmiri on Int’l Mother Language Day

Srinagar: The Ehsaas Foundation on Saturday extended warm greetings to the people of Jammu and Kashmir on the occasion of International Mother Language Day, observed globally on February 21 to celebrate linguistic diversity and promote multilingualism.

In its message, the Foundation underscored the deep cultural and historical significance of the Kashmiri language, describing it as a cornerstone of the region’s identity and heritage. It reaffirmed its commitment to supporting sustained efforts for the preservation, promotion, and intergenerational transmission of mother tongues, particularly Kashmiri.

Vice Chairman Burhan Nazir, speaking on the occasion, said that a mother language represents far more than a tool of communication. “It embodies the collective soul, traditions, and memory of a people,” he stated, adding that Kashmiri holds centuries of literary richness, poetry, folklore, and indigenous knowledge that must be safeguarded.

He expressed concern over the declining everyday use of Kashmiri amid rapid modernization, calling it a challenge that requires collective action. Burhan urged parents, educators, youth, and cultural bodies to actively use and promote the language in homes, educational institutions, and public spaces to ensure its continued vitality.

Emphasizing the theme “Kashir Zaban — Saen Pehchan,” he noted that language shapes identity and anchors communities to their roots. He advocated for greater integration of Kashmiri in education, literature, media, and digital platforms to keep it relevant in contemporary discourse.

The Foundation also appealed to civil society, media organizations, and policymakers to strengthen initiatives that promote linguistic inclusion and respect for all mother languages. It observed that protecting linguistic diversity enhances social harmony and mutual understanding among communities.

Reiterating its message on International Mother Language Day, the Ehsaas Foundation called upon the people of Kashmir, especially the younger generation, to take pride in their mother tongue and actively participate in its preservation, stressing that a language thrives only when it is spoken, practiced, and cherished in daily life.