By Makhan Lal Pandita

A literate Kashmiri while conversing in Kashmiri makes in between use of English words. There can be two reasons for it. Either he has no complete command over the language due to which he is not able to choose proper words in a jiffy (which is the position of several literate persons) or otherwise it is the dominance of English language rooted in their psyche. We had teacher, Ghulam Hassan Mantooo of Shopian Gagran in our childhood, who after completing morning prayers would give a discourse on different topics. It was in English, and he talked with such a fluency and a break that we would rejoice and long as to when would we reach this position and speak like him because this language had its own pride which still it is holding. Our village people conversed in pure Kashmiri, but they also used words like ‘teem’ ‘puncher’ ‘foot news’ (meaning Time, Puncture, and news from mouth to mouth respectively). They also had this notion that real education means to learn English. Even though our generation had the usage of Kashmiri in our homes, yet we would try to use English words. In those early day when we would be with an English Primer or any such book, an elderly person from our neighbourhood would frequently ask to translate ‘Turant Dhan Maha Kalyan’ (He who gives twice, gives in trice) and when we would show our inability, he would term us still inexperienced. Those days English had not dominated the daily life as it has now, so much so, If we would use any English word which we had learnt in our school, the listener would in a prank, retort, ‘I am speaking to you in Kashmiri and you are replying in English ‘ or ‘ Speak plainly why you are talking in English.’ So, we would refrain from speaking English while talking with such a person.

After reaching Jammu everything changed and from the viewpoint of language, we understood that we are not in tune with our surroundings and while talking, especially our women folk, would fumble even in respect of Hindi or Urdu as well. ‘Bijli Daalo” or ‘Sooch Daalo’ or ‘Paani Pakdo” (switch on the light, collect some water’) or similar distorted words came to our notice. The vegetable venders of their own goodwill would give some extra green chilly to please the customer and if they forgot same, they would remind and tell him, ‘Muje Mirchean Daalo’ (give me the Chilli). If you be attentive, you will hear many such words even today.

I had once been to Delhi in connection with purchasing some marriage articles. My cousin who was born and brought up there accompanied me to the market. We went to Chandni Chowk where some shopkeepers as per her notion, had the reputation of selling quality products on fixed rates. She bade me in advance to keep mum because they could at once surmise that we are not locals, and that we are Kashmiri and inflate prices, which amply proves we cannot speak a standard Hindi as well. Simillar conditions prevailed at other places whether you had to deal with shopkeeper, or it be the playground of children. The children had to deal with an alien language and were not at home with Hindi language as well. This was a reason they had to fortify themselves for such surrounding. Even Kashmiri language being in use in their homes, they are not able to speak in it and if at all they speak, it would be distorted. If we push Kashmiri language to them, I feel that will not work because they have no compulsion around, nor have a habit, and how will they converse in it. It is said that a child whatever picks up to the age of 5 years it remains imprinted on his intellect and becomes his mother tongue.

There is no doubt that the mother tongue is that sole medium which keeps us bound with our culture. If we take stock of things we will come to know that such children who have not in practice this language they are unaware of their culture as well. They are rather compelled to keep themselves attached with new environment. The net result is that if they find an opportunity or a chance, they will not hesitate to come out of that circle which we call Kashmiri society.

On the other side, the Kashmiri language has not such an advantageous position that it can hold the children in its grip because this matter is related to domestic economy. The parents of a child do not want their child to suffer for his two-time meals. The children should be able to stand on their own legs to make both ends meet. This is the reason that they want them to cross 10+2 and join some technical training to dignified livelihood.

Now those children who completed in early days their academic carrier, got stuck up what to do further. Going here and there involved money which was very little with everyone. But time took again a turn that they were given reservation in technical colleges of Maharashtra. Consequently, most of the children got admission in these institutions. And everyone got according to his destiny, which did not require any push and was not costly as well thus ensuring their future livelihood. Many among them made their way to foreign lands. Time also changes and does not remain same; the elders also had a longing to visit these lands. The employing companies have preference for technical know-how, mode of conversation and smartness and for this the parents feel that English is the sole language which has the capacity to impart these. The fact is, which thing or a technical matter is not covered by it. It is not dependent on anybody’s goodwill. Its compass is not narrow. It has adopted Letters of French, Greek and Latin within its fold. In the third edition of Oxford Dictionary about 240 words (today more are said to be) from Handi have been adopted by it. These and other qualities have made it a global language. The parents put every resource at their disposal at stake to enable their children to learn this language. After reaching Jammu our inability to converse freely and without fault is still lurking in our mind. We do not want our children to face this difficulty.

An example of fumbling that I came across I would like to share. At Canada, my son one day told me to get his child from school. As I reached the precincts of the school, I saw the principal coming from the other side. She saw me, stopped, and told me politely, “What can I do for you?’ Before this incident I would without any hindrance talk to the staff in their Malls or Medical Shops, Bagel sellers etc. and would understand the, nicely. In her presence I just lost my senses and told her,’ My grandmother is a student at your school.’ She looked at me from head to feet and looked perplexed. I had no impression what I was telling and instead thought why she did not understand me, or my accent is rough which she did not understand. She shriveled her forehead and said ‘what?’ I once again repeated the same thing. She thought deeply. Lastly, she called for a teacher and told him in English to hear what I was saying. When I saw she had to call for a helper, I came to senses, was ashamed within, and laughed in my heart of hearts. After recollecting myself I told, ‘My granddaughter Avantika is a student of your school and I want to take her home.’ That teacher took me to that room in which Avantika was, and I brought her to home. I related this incident to my son and daughter-in -law and they burst into laughter.

The age  of science has arrived. Mobile, ATM, New Sophisticated Computers, High Tech. Mobiles have made a thorough impact on every aspect of life. These have brought whole world in our room. Internet has become an important part of life. There is no branch of knowledge which it does not cover. Those homes who are not having internet facility are living in some old age. New Technical words are day by day coming into vogue and pursue us. But we elderly people are not able to handle fully well these electronic gadgets. On the other side is flood of social media making new experiments. My experience says that the elderlypeople like me feel misfit to handle them satisfactorily and we have to seek help of our children frequently. Reason is that we had not such an exposure in our childhood and what a person does not learn in his early days, if same is thrusted on him in the advanced age it becomes his liability.

There has been an exponential increase in population and its pressures are evident on all aspects of life. We are trying our best to come out of this pressure and in this struggle the moral values have taken a backseat, so much so we forgot ourselves. Its effect is evident everywhere.

Much time has not elapsed that posts of orderlies were advertised in Delhi. About 400 applications were received and among the applicants were few Ph.D. holders. This means those who have acquired the basic academic education only, for them the employment scope has narrowed down. Nevertheless, the technical posts have still scope and such children still get employment and for this purpose, it is of paramount importance that children get related education. Therefore, if a child has to keep pace with the modern times and has to win the economic struggle, he should be fortified with the arrows of English language. This will give him the confidence and upper hand as well.

These are some of the reasons due to which the Kashmiri language is not getting due attention in our homes. But this is also a fact that if we throw away this language for above reasons or will forget it that will cut us from our roots. (Now how much love every person has for these roots is a different question). Kashmiri language is very sweat and has a good stock of words, but the fact is we have not complete knowledge of same. If we have an occasion to hear the poetry of Parmanand Ji or any other I feel, everyone will not be able to grasp all. Some may say what we have to do with reading Parmanad or some other Sofi poet. But that is not the point. We may be able to recite Shakespeare and Words Worth, which is not bad, but that shows how much away we are from our lovely lap in which we grew up . What sort of a folly it is that we have memorised Shakespeare but know nothing about our own Kashmiri literary persons. It is sort of a vanity that we place of our feet are standing on a crutch. When the age advances, a man gets involved in some other matters. For example ‘Wherefrom I have come’ ‘whatever I had to do ,have I done that’ which is termed as ‘Atma Bodh or to know oneself’ for which he begins to sift his own culture and civilization in which he grew up. But being deficient in language he is not able to get connected with it. Learning is good but It is indispensable that those roots be also not severed which have given us Kashmiri recognition. When we will learn Kashmiri Language then only will we remain bound and acquainted with our culture. It cannot be that by learning it we will be disrespected. Had it been so, it would simply mean that we are victims of inferiority complex. Some English men and Europeans came to Kashmir, there they learnt Kashmiri language and left for us a literary treasure, mention of which we still make with pride. A doctor of my acquaintance had gone to Persia. When he came back after 4-5 years, I saw a voluminous book in his hand. I asked him which book it is and he told Molana Romi’s Masnavi. I took it in my hand and just turned leaves. It was in Persian language. What could I read out of it , so I put it down. After coming from Persia, he opened a hospital at Allahabad. Within two years he learnt Marathi Language which according to him was necessary to keep rapport with local patients. However, he happens to be Doctor and IQ of doctor is higher than an average person. Now the times have changed and to do something credible makes us to go from one corner of the globe to another corner and knowing at least 2-3 languages has become a necessity. Therefore, if one would have learnt 2-3 languages, it would be a feather in his cap, and among them if one would be

Kashmiri language, also learnt for nothing i.e. Without spending money, how much nice it would be. For this purpose, the easiest way is that the parents will keep them actively associated with Kashmiri Language at home. Not only actively associated but ensure that they use it in their daily life. For this purpose, it is essential that parents use this language at home especially with the children. They will learn themselves. Besides the Kashmiri learnt in their early yeas will remain for ever in their memory which means it does not require any helping devices. Otherwise, to press this language in old or advanced age would be to carry water in a porous basket.

About the Author

Noted Kashmiri writer, Makhan Lal Pandita, also known in literary circles as `Kashmir’s Prem Chand’, has penned down several works in Kashmir language, besides has a collection of many short stories to his credit.  Some of them are Karna Phur (2000), Girdhab (2003), Rambe Ara Bathis Pyeth (2006), Poat Tshaay (2008), Barsali (2010) and Yeli Ba Canada Gowus (2011). J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages has awarded Sh Makhan Lal Pandita for his novel Saaz Bonen Hund. Sh Pandita has also written several  monologues and Research Papers.