On the occasion of International Mother Language Day, the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference President Dr. Farooq Abdullah paid heartfelt tributes to the linguistic soul of Jammu and Kashmir, urging people to cherish, protect and proudly speak the languages that define their identity.
“One’s mother tongue is not merely a means of communication; it is the heartbeat of culture, the cradle of memory and the mirror of who we are,” he said.
Emphasizing the urgency of preservation, he called for mother tongues to become the primary medium of instruction in schools, especially during a child’s formative years, where language shapes thought, imagination, and belonging.
Highlighting the timeless grandeur of the Kashmiri language, Dr. Farooq spoke of its luminous legacy, its classical verses, mystical poetry, folk ballads, and scholarly works crafted by generations of poets, sages, rhetoricians, and linguists across centuries. He described it as a living archive of collective wisdom and artistic brilliance.
He also advocated for the safeguarding and promotion of regional languages including Dogri, Pahari, Gojri, Punjab and Shina, each a vibrant thread in the rich cultural tapestry of the region.
Addressing families directly, Dr Farooq encouraged parents to make their homes sanctuaries of their mother tongues. “Let our children inherit the music of our words,” he urged, reminding residents that speaking one’s native language should be a matter of pride, not hesitation.