“People have a discouraged mindset for Dogri”

Heena Choudhary is a celebrated Dogri writer from Jammu and Kashmir, whose literary contributions have significantly enriched the landscape of regional Indian literature. Hailing from Akhnoor, Heena has emerged as a powerful young voice in Dogri poetry, passionately advocating for the preservation and promotion of her native language. Her most notable achievement came in 2024 when she was conferred the prestigious Yuva Sahitya Puraskar by the Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi, for her acclaimed poetry collection Ik Rang Tere Range Chaa. This recognition not only marked a milestone in her personal journey but also brought national attention to Dogri literature. Heena Choudhary’s work represents a revivalist spirit – dedicated to keeping the Dogri language alive in contemporary literary discourse.
Rohan Qurashi strikes up a conversation with Ms Heena Chaudhary and shares it with the readers here.
Q: In your view, where does Dogri stand in Jammu today?
Ans: When I told my family that I would be continuing my studies in Dogri, pursuing a PhD, and building a career in the language, my uncle made fun of me. However, after winning the Sahitya Akademi Award, I was able to change that perception. If you wish to see change, it must begin at home. Unfortunately, there is a common mindset among parents today that Dogri cannot offer viable career opportunities, and that students pursuing higher studies in it have no future. To an extent, this is true – there are no jobs and very limited employment opportunities for those who have completed a PhD in Dogri. Therefore, people have a discouraged mindset for Dogri.
Q: What factors have caused the language speaking and writing population to go down?
Ans: The biggest reason is parental discouragement, as many perceive Dogri as a rural language and prefer English or Hindi instead. Moreover, the urban-rural divide has widened in recent times. In urban areas, those who do speak the language often use a mixed Punjabi-Dogri dialect, rather than the pure form, which still survives in rural regions. In villages, people who can write in Dogri still exist – though not in large numbers – but they are there. However, due to globalization and the growing influence of modern trends, even rural communities are increasingly shifting towards English and Hindi, gradually abandoning their mother tongue.
Q: What should be the way to revive the language?
Ans: The damage has already been done – today’s youth have largely lost the motivation to learn how to read, write, or even speak the language. However, if Dogri is introduced as a compulsory part of the academic curriculum – at least up to Class 8, 10, or 12, similar to what is done in the neighboring state of Punjab – there is hope that the upcoming generation can revive it. Several efforts have already been made in this direction. We even had a delegation of professors from Jammu University meet the Governor multiple times, but unfortunately, no significant progress has been made so far.
Q: What message do you have for the youth?
Ans: The hope for the revival of the language now rests entirely on the shoulders of the youth. If they stop feeling shy about speaking their mother tongue and instead embrace it with confidence and pride – celebrating their language, culture, and history – then there is hope that the language will survive and thrive. The future of Dogri depends on their willingness to carry it forward.
About the Author
An undergraduate student of Political Science at St. Stephen’s College, University of Delhi, Rohan Qurashi during his extensive travels across key regions of Jammu, observed a significant decline in the number of people who can write in Dogri. In everyday settings – whether in workplaces, shops, educational institutions, or on social media – Hindi and English dominate the conversation. The presence of Dogri in media and entertainment is virtually non-existent, further contributing to its marginalization. Many individuals feel hesitant or embarrassed to speak the language, and have a perception that it lacks practical value or future prospects.

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