Garhwali to be taught in primary schools of Pauri Garhwal from today

While Garhwali, Kumaoni and Jaunsaar Bhavar dialects of Uttarakhand have not been included in the eighth schedule of the constitution but every state has the right to propagate its dialects n languages to promote and conserve its own  linguistic and cultural heritage.

This healthy  initiative taken by the chief minister of Uttarakhand,  having now commenced from the 79 primary schools of his home district Pauri Garhwal is being lauded by one and all in Uttarakhand.

Similarly, slowly but gradually the same initiative may be taken up in the Kumaon region of the state in the near future as well reveal reliable sources.

The issue of regional language / dialect propagation is an emotional one that binds people and society more cohesively within the parameters of their respective cultural heritage and is a vote catcher initiative too, hence urgently implemented by the present poltical dispensation of the state.

There have been long term attempts by Uttarakhandies living in Delhi and other metropolises of the country to impress upon the successive  state and central governments of Congress and BJP to include Garhwali, Kumaoni and Jaunsaar Bhaver dialects  in the eighth schedule of the constitution through collective protests, media publicity and holding of seminars but no government has till date paid any heed to this call despite the fact that Uttarakhand has a population of about 5 crores at the pan Indian level which includes the 1.25 crore populace of Uttarakhand state too.

The enlightened people and intellectual social organizations of the state in the metropolises and Uttarakhand have been stressing hard to get this protracted demand implemented but of no avail.

The Delhi government of Aam Admi Party has promised in principle and even declared of constituting the Kumaoni and Garhwali academies but the proposal still seems to be on papers despite the very fact that Delhi has a sizeable Uttarakhandi population of approximately 35 lakh people.

However, a prestigious magazine called Dhad edited and published from Dehradun has been propagating the idea of promoting Garhwali language by regularly bringing out this publication in Garhwali dialect thus emphasizing that more and more people of Garhwal, Kumaon and Jaunsaar, Uttarakhand learn the regional  dialects and conserve its cultural and linguistic heritage.

In Delhi too certain social organizations have been holding regular classes to train the children of a new generation living in cities to become well versed in Garhwali and Kumaoni dialects which is slowly and steadily on the decline.

Introducing the local Garhwali dialect in 79 primary schools of Pauri Garhwal Uttarakhand from first to the fifth standards is therefore immensely instrumental to inculcate a feeling of nostalgia and attachment to their local dialect, culture and traditions thus contributing healthily in reverse migration as well as putting a break to influx towards cities.

About five thousand students would be initially taught this dialect which may further include in the curriculum of other districts of the state too.

It may be recalled that the iconic singer of Uttarakhand and prestigious recipient of coveted Sangeet Natak Academy Award Narendra Singh Negi’s contribution in propagating Garhwali language through his powerful and meaningful lyrics and songs have been immeasurable and unparalleled.