Day: August 2, 2025

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**Says Cultural Sensitivity Must Guide Communication in Tribal and Multilingual Regions**

POONCH AUGUST 02:- In a strong and timely intervention that has reignited critical conversations around linguistic inclusivity, senior leader and Minister in the Omar Abdullah Cabinet, Javed Ahmed Rana, the other called on the Poonch district administration to ensure meaningful inclusion of local languages—particularly Urdu, Gojri, and Pahari—in public communication and official events.

Speaking as Chief Guest at the “Sampoornata Abhiyaan Samman Samaroh”, a felicitation ceremony organized by the district administration to celebrate Block Mankote’s top performance under NITI Aayog’s Aspirational Blocks Programme, Rana highlighted the disconnect created when official programmes are conducted in linguistically inaccessible formats.

“The very title of today’s function is hardly intelligible to many of the attendees,” Rana observed, emphasizing the pressing need to bridge the gap between the language of governance and the lived linguistic realities of local communities.

He stressed that in tribal and multilingual districts like Poonch, government communication must be rooted in cultural sensitivity and linguistic accessibility. “Administrative language should not be a barrier to participation. Rather, it should reflect the identity, voice, and comprehension of the people it aims to serve,” he said.

Rana’s remarks strike a chord amid growing discourse around the politics of language—particularly concerns over linguistic centralism, the diminishing space for regional languages in public administration, and the subtle erasure of tribal and minority languages from official narratives.

He cautioned against what he termed a creeping “cultural invasion” through linguistic homogenization—warning of the imposition of a singular linguistic identity at the expense of India’s multilingual fabric. Without naming specific actors, he alluded to attempts by certain ideological groups to communalize language and promote linguistic bigotry, reducing India’s linguistic diversity to a narrow and exclusionary framework.

“India is not a land of dialects—it is a land of full-fledged languages, each with its own literature, worldview, and cultural memory,” he stated. “Our Constitution doesn’t assign a ‘national language.’ It enshrines the right to preserve and promote linguistic diversity.”

Rana’s intervention, though rooted in a local context, has broader implications in Jammu & Kashmir, where the role and recognition of languages like Gojri, Pahari, Dogri, and Kashmiri remain contested. Despite being spoken by large sections of the population, these languages often lack institutional support in education, media, and governance.

Linguists and cultural scholars have long warned that the privileging of Sanskritised Hindi in administrative discourse can act as a form of cultural erasure—threatening the survival of indigenous knowledge systems and alienating non-Hindi speaking communities. Policy experts have called for a more federal and inclusive language policy that recognizes India’s multilingual ethos.

By calling out the use of inaccessible and overly Sanskritised nomenclature in government schemes, Rana positioned himself as a vocal advocate for culturally responsible governance. He urged the district administration to adopt inclusive language practices, including the use of translations and regionally familiar terms, especially in public awareness campaigns and community engagement programmes.

“Development must be holistic,” he said. “It is not merely economic—it must be cultural, linguistic, and social.”

The event was attended by senior administrative officials, representatives of Panchayati Raj institutions, educators, and local citizens. Many attendees expressed their agreement with the Minister’s observations, noting that accessible language is essential for genuine public participation in democratic processes.

Rana’s bold and candid remarks appear to have catalyzed a long-overdue conversation in Jammu & Kashmir—one that questions not only the content of government messaging but the very language in which that content is delivered.

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RAJOURI, AUGUST 02:-Deputy Commissioner Rajouri, Abhishek Sharma, today chaired a comprehensive review meeting in the VC room to assess the progress of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) and the onboarding of officers, officials, and stakeholders onto the Data Entry and Status Monitoring (DESM) dashboard.

During the meeting, the Deputy Commissioner laid emphasis on the timely updating and verification of login credentials for all concerned officials. He instructed the officers to ensure that login details are accurate and functional to facilitate smooth data entry and monitoring on the DESM dashboard.

A detailed review was also conducted regarding the data and progress reports submitted by the Block Development Officers (BDOs) till date. The Deputy Commissioner directed the BDOs and associated functionaries to ensure their complete onboarding onto the DESM portal within two days to avoid any delays in project monitoring and reporting.

Additional Deputy Commissioners—Tanveer Ahmed (Kalakote), Dil Mir (Kotranka) Chander Parkash (Rajouri), Ramkesh Sharma (Sunderbani), Pritam Lal Thapa (Nowshera), and SDM Thanamandi Abid Hussain joined the meeting virtually.

Key officers who attended the meeting included CPO, Maqsood Ahmed; ACD, Auqil Naveed; ACP, Sheraz Chowhan; SE Jal Shakti, Dev Raj; DIO NIC, Muzzafar Mir; Executive Engineer Jal Shakti Rajouri, Sudesh Bhagat; BDO Rajouri, Pardeep Kumar; and BDO Panjgrain, Shivam Sharma.

NO: PR/DDI/J/2108//

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MENDHAR AUGUST 02:-As part of Omar Abdullah-led Government’s continued commitment to responsive and accountable governance, Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmed Rana, today convened a Public Darbar at Chhungan Nabni, aimed at directly engaging with local residents and addressing grassroots-level issues.

The Public Darbar witnessed enthusiastic participation from a large number of locals, representing various villages and hamlets of the region.

The Minister was accompanied by senior officers from concerned departments.

During the interaction, inhabitants raised multiple issues pertaining to damaged road infrastructure due to recent floods, water supply, and the condition of school buildings in the area.

The Minister gave a patient and sympathetic hearing to all grievances and took note of critical concerns highlighted by the community members.

Responding to the distress caused by damaged road networks, Rana assured the immediate initiation of restoration works, emphasizing that road connectivity is vital for mobility, emergency access, and economic activity.

He directed the concerned engineers to conduct a rapid assessment and commence urgent repair works without delay.

On the matter of water supply, the Minister reiterated the Government’s resolve to ensure adequate, clean and uninterrupted water supply, especially in rural and tribal areas.

He assured the public that the strengthening and upgradation of Water Supply Schemes in the region will be fast-tracked under relevant flagship programs and centrally sponsored schemes.

In the education sector, Rana expressed concern over the state of school infrastructure and announced that measures will be taken on priority for the renovation and upscaling of school buildings, ensuring a safe and conducive environment for learning.

He also directed the concerned officers to undertake a detailed audit of existing facilities and submit proposals for upgradation at the earliest.

The Minister highlighted the Government’s continuous efforts to empower tribal communities and reiterated that inclusive development, environmental protection and sustainable resource management remain central to his departments’ vision.

He called for greater synergy among local governance institutions and line departments to ensure last-mile delivery of services.

Officials accompanying the Minister assured timely execution of directives and pledged full support in implementing the development roadmap laid out during the visit.

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MENDHAR AUGUST 02:- In a deeply engaging and intellectually stimulating inaugural ceremony at Macca Education Public School, Mendhar, Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmed Rana, and Member of Parliament (Rajouri-Anantnag), Mian Altaf Ahmed, today engaged with a diverse gathering of educators, students, parents and community leaders.

The event highlighted the institution’s emergence as a model for integrated learning—where traditional religious teachings are meaningfully combined with modern scientific education to produce morally grounded and future-ready citizens.

Minister Javed Ahmed Rana emphasized that education must go beyond rote knowledge to become a transformative force for individuals and society alike.

He asserted that religious and scientific education are not contradictory but complementary, each playing a vital role in shaping holistic individuals.

Minister Rana also strongly advocated for gender equity in education, stressing the transformative impact of educating girls.

Both dignitaries commended Macca Education Public School for its visionary approach to curriculum and community engagement.

Need for similar educational models across the region, especially within traditional madrasas, was emphasises, to embrace an inclusive and forward-looking approach that respects religious identity while promoting scientific literacy and civic awareness.

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Mohan Bhagwat emphasizes unity, respect, and cultural coexistence at a landmark meeting

Educational reforms, skill development, and social harmony top the agenda in dialogue with Muslim Clerics

Shyam Sood – Manzoor Ahmed Naik

RAJOURI AUGUST 02:-In a landmark step towards strengthening national unity and fostering interfaith understanding, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Sarsanghchalak Dr. Mohan Bhagwat recently held a historic dialogue with 60 eminent Muslim scholars, clerics, and intellectuals at Haryana Bhavan. The event, organized by the All India Imam Organisation, marked a significant moment of trust-building and constructive engagement between communities.

Dr. Bhagwat emphasized that “India belongs to all of us. Muslims are as much respected citizens of this nation as anyone else. It is our shared responsibility to preserve its unity, integrity, and sovereignty.” His words resonated deeply with the participants and underscored the RSS’s commitment to inclusive nation-building.

Key Focus Areas: Education, Employment & Harmony
The dialogue centered on vital issues affecting the Muslim community, including:

Educational reforms in madrasas to better integrate with mainstream curricula

Employment-linked skill development for Muslim youth

Collaborative efforts to foster lasting communal harmony and mutual respect

Imam Umer Ahmed Ilyasi, chief organizer of the event, highlighted the significance of open dialogue, saying, “Despite differences in worship or caste, our nation is supreme. Dialogue is the solution to every problem.”

Dr. Bhagwat reiterated that Hindutva is not anti-Muslim, but a reflection of Bharat’s inclusive cultural identity — one that embraces diversity and peaceful coexistence.

RSS: A Quiet Force of National Service
Far from public attention, the RSS continues to operate as one of India’s most extensive grassroots volunteer organizations, running thousands of service-oriented projects.

Highlights include:

Over 25,000 Ekal Vidyalayas and education centers in tribal and rural regions

Skill development labs, scholarships, and free coaching for underprivileged youth, including those from SC/ST and minority communities

Seva Bharati health initiatives, offering free medical services, mobile clinics, and emergency support across the country

Women empowerment programs, such as vocational training, tailoring centers, and micro-finance support

During the COVID-19 pandemic, RSS Swayamsevaks were among the first responders, delivering food, oxygen, and medicines, and even assisting in last rites irrespective of religion.

Samajik Samrasta: Harmony Through Dialogue
The recent engagement is part of the RSS’s broader “Samajik Samrasta” (social harmony) initiative, which aims to bridge social and religious divides through meaningful conversations and grassroots collaboration.

Several Muslim participants expressed appreciation for the respectful tone and sincerity of the interaction. They welcomed RSS’s openness and agreed that continued dialogue was essential for national unity.

As Dr. Bhagwat aptly concluded, “Differences may exist, but there should not be discord in hearts.”

A Vision for an Inclusive Bharat
The RSS envisions a Bharat where no child is denied education, no citizen lacks healthcare, and no community is marginalized. Its guiding principles — selfless service, respect for all, and national pride — continue to inspire its mission.

In an age of polarization, the RSS reminds us that unity is a shared duty, and service is not charity, but true patriotism in action.