BY HAROON RASHID BHAT
“Underscored the importance of native language as a tool to retain the cultural identity, he had taken several initiatives within his capacity for the promotion and the preservation of this language, he launched the newspaper in the native language -“ The Sangarmal News Paper”
Commemorating the contribution by the multifaceted legendary figure Syed Shujaat Bukhari concerning the enrichment of the Kashmiri language can be a rich tribute in favor of him on his 3rdnd death anniversary. I didn’t t know him personally never I had any face-to-face meeting with him. I came to know about his personal or professional life through his works as a journalist, as a writer, as an orator, a human rights activist, an ambassador of peace, and a staunch supporter of the Kashmiri language.
When the Kashmiri language was facing a tough time in terms of its existence and when our younger generation felt a kind of inferiority complex while using their native language even in a daily conversation. When there was no provision of teaching Kashmiri as the subject in school education. A sense of fear was developing among the intellectual class about its preservation and existence. Then came the literary personalities like Professor Rehman Rahi, Professor Hajini, Zarif Ahmad Zarif, etc. who left no stone unturned to safeguard the future of this old aged language which has a very glorious past, a uniqueness of secularism, and a delicacy of communal harmony. One of the personalities who showed his deep concern towards the sustainability of this beautiful language was our beloved brother, the son of the soil Syed Shujaat Bukhari. He was one of the prominent figures who played an instrumental role in introducing the Kashmiri language in the school education department and made it a compulsory subject from class 1st. This unique effort not only preserves the Kashmiri language but also acquainted our future generation with our glories past, our ethos, culture, and our value system.
Underscored the importance of native language as a tool to retain the cultural identity, he had taken several initiatives within his capacity for the promotion and the preservation of this language, he launched the newspaper in the native language -“ The Sangarmal News Paper”. While delivering his memorable speech in SKICC at the time of its launch, he narrated a very inspirational episode of his life that motivated him to publish the newspaper in the Kashmiri language. He Said, “I got an opportunity to attended the international seminar in London where I was asked by one of the reporters that how many newspapers were publishing in your state in the native language, that particular question left a deep impression in my mind, throughout that journey that particular question was resonating in my mind and as soon as I returned from that trip, I started a media group, deliberated on that important issue with other colleague and finally made my mind to publish the aforementioned newspaper in Kashmiri” . Earlier, -“The Sangarmal News Paper” was the weekly newspaper, but now it has been made a daily newspaper. Launching any newspaper that too in the native language was a very big challenge but, he accepted that challenge and succeeded in fulfilling his long-cherished dream. It was a revolutionary step. It provides a platform for those who want to give the widespread of their ideas through their native language. He always encouraged the new writers to write on different subjects like local history, art, and culture. This unique initiative on his behalf was highly appreciated by all whether young or old, the urban or the rural people. Whenever he was being invited by any literary or cultural group as the participant or the chief guest, he always accepts the invitations with an open heart. Keeping in view his deep attachment, love, and contribution towards his native language, he had been nominated as the president of Adbee Markaz Kamraz,- a cultural and literary organization in Kashmir. He was one of the fortunate personalities who became the eyewitness of his success and fame. His works and writing attained global recognition; widely acknowledge by all irrespective of any socio-cultural or religious differences. His contribution as the champion of the Kashmiri language can never be underestimated. May Almighty Allah grant him the highest place in Jannah!
Haroon Rashid Bhat is a teacher by profession and can be reached at minamharoon123@gmail.com
