Two-Day Language Conference concludes at JU, stresses preservation of linguistic heritage

Jammu: The two-day Jammu Language Conference concluded on Wednesday at the University of Jammu with a valedictory function held at the Brigadier Rajinder Singh Auditorium, bringing together writers, scholars, and linguists from across the Jammu Division to celebrate the region’s linguistic richness.
Advisor to the Chief Minister Jb. Nasir Aslam Wani presided over the closing ceremony as Chief Guest. In his address, he lauded the joint efforts of the Department of Urdu, University of Jammu, and the Himalayan Education Mission, Rajouri, for organizing an event that brought together 17 languages spoken across the division. He described the initiative as a platform to promote linguistic research and foster inter-cultural understanding among young scholars.
Highlighting the multilingual character of Jammu, Wani said the region’s diverse linguistic traditions reflect its composite cultural identity. He paid tribute to prominent literary figures such as Late Rasa Javedani of Bhaderwah, whose poetry mirrors the life and landscape of the Chenab Valley, and Janbaz Kishtwari, known for his contribution to Kashmiri and Urdu literature.
Referring to Dogri literature, he recalled the works of Ved Pal Deep, Krishan Sambyal Puri, and Padma Sachdev, along with writers from Poonch and Rajouri including Dina Nath Rafiq, Thakur Poonchi, and Chirag Hassan Hasrat. Wani also mentioned Krishan Chander, whose stories portray the essence of the Poonch-Rajouri belt.
He urged the organizers to compile and publish the research papers presented during the conference to serve as a resource for future generations.
Earlier in the day, two academic sessions were held in which 23 writers representing various regional languages—Bhaderwahi, Punjabi, Kashmiri, Hindi, Urdu, Siraji, Gaddi, Bhalessi, Gojri, and Paddari—presented papers on the theme “Language, Literature and Jammuiet.” The sessions were chaired by eminent academicians including Prof. Aftab Ahmed Afaqui (BHU), Prof. Ram Bahadur Shukla, Prof. Mohd. Reyaz Ahmad, Prof. Baljeet Kour, and Prof. Mushtaq Alam Qadri (DU), among others.
A Multilingual Mushaira held during the conference added colour to the proceedings, featuring poets from diverse linguistic backgrounds who enthralled the audience with their verse. The sessions were conducted by Prof. Mohd. Reyaz Ahmad, Dr. Chaman Lal, Dr. Javaid Ahmed Shah, Dr. Abdul Qayoom, and Dr. Jug Mohan, who also proposed votes of thanks for the academic deliberations.
In his concluding remarks, Prof. Shohab Inayat Malik, Head of the Department of Urdu, extended a formal vote of thanks, acknowledging the participation of faculty members, students, and members of civil society.
The conference, which drew a vibrant audience from academia and the literary community, underscored the need for sustained efforts to document and preserve Jammu’s linguistic diversity, reaffirming the region’s reputation as a cradle of multiple languages and cultural expressions.