International Mother Tongue Day: Kashmir’s cultural identity at risk as Mother Tongue fades among youth

International Mother Tongue Day revives many concerns regarding the decay of the Kashmiri language, thus endangering the cultural identity of the region. Experts say a waning interest in the mother tongue among youth could be a long-term threat to Kashmir's elaborate wealth of heritage and ideology.

Some of the foremost reasons behind this are modern education systems, technology taking an upper hand, and lack of family factors stressing on practicing their native language. Besides, there is an evolving trend that sees the youths of Kashmir gradually embracing English and Hindi, leading to a gradual decay of the mother tongue in everyday conversations. In some situations, Kashmiri is being replaced with different languages and, thus, their ground for conversations rapidly.

Cultural experts insist that language represents not just a mode of communication, but also a carrier of history and identity. The decay of the Kashmiri language means the erasure of cultural heritage steeped in antiquity. They urge, therefore, a concentrated institutional intervention first from schools and thereafter from families and policies of the governments to extend affirmative assistance to save and promote the language.

Most experts argue for the need to safeguard the Kashmiri language by prioritizing mother tongue learning in institutions of education, conducting literary and cultural programs, and encouraging youth participation in language initiatives. Otherwise, the coming generations will be deprived of access to their past and the cultural roots of their language.