Srinagar, February 21: Ehsaas Foundation on Wednesday extended heartfelt greetings to the people of Jammu and Kashmir on the occasion of International Mother Language Day, observed every year on February 21 across the globe to promote linguistic diversity and multilingualism.
The Foundation emphasized the immense cultural, historical, and emotional value of the Kashmiri language, describing it as a living symbol of Kashmir’s identity, heritage, and collective memory. On this significant day, Ehsaas Foundation reiterated its resolve to support efforts aimed at the preservation, promotion, and transmission of mother languages, especially Kashmiri, among future generations.
Speaking on the occasion, Vice Chairman Burhan Nazir said that a mother language is not merely a means of communication but the soul of a people and the strongest link between generations. He stated that Kashmiri language carries centuries of wisdom, literature, poetry, and traditions, and safeguarding it is a shared responsibility of society.
Burhan, further remarked that rapid modernization and declining everyday use of Kashmiri pose serious challenges to its survival. He urged parents, teachers, youth, and cultural institutions to consciously speak, read, write, and promote Kashmiri in homes, schools, and public spaces so that the language continues to flourish.
Highlighting the message “Kashir Zaban — Saen Pehchan”, he said that language defines identity and losing one’s mother tongue weakens cultural roots. He stressed the importance of integrating Kashmiri into education, literature, digital platforms, and social discourse to ensure its relevance in contemporary times.
Ehsaas Foundation also called upon civil society, media, and policymakers to support initiatives that encourage linguistic inclusion and respect for all mother languages. The Foundation noted that protecting linguistic diversity strengthens social harmony and fosters mutual understanding among communities.
On International Mother Language Day, Ehsaas Foundation appealed to the people of Kashmir, particularly the younger generation, to take pride in their mother tongue and actively contribute to its preservation, stating that a language survives only when it is lived, spoken, and cherished.
