Language As The Homeland Of Thought

On International Mother Language Day, Kashmir’s poets and writers made a heartfelt appeal that reaches far beyond literary gatherings. It is a powerful reminder that when a language dies, the heartbeat of an entire culture stops with it. The Kashmiri language is not just a set of words or grammar rules. It is a living treasure chest filled with centuries of wisdom, emotion, poetry, and shared memories. To watch it fade is to watch the slow disappearance of a people’s very soul. As has been beautifully said, language is the homeland of thought. Without Kashmiri, the unique ways of seeing, feeling, and expressing that have shaped this land for thousands of years become lost and homeless. The reluctance among younger generations to speak their mother tongue is a deep cultural wound. When children cannot talk with their grandparents in the language of their ancestors, a vital bridge breaks. Along with it, the passing down of values, stories, and identity is disrupted. This is not just about nostalgia. It is about survival. A language holds within it the very structure of a culture – its humour, its sorrow, its strength. The poetry of ancient mystics, the wisdom of revered saints, and the rich collection of folk tales are all preserved in Kashmiri. To give up the language is to leave this precious inheritance without a home. The solution demands a committed effort on many fronts. First, the home must become the first classroom. Parents need to consciously speak Kashmiri with their children, setting aside the wrong belief that other languages alone lead to progress. Second, schools and colleges must make Kashmiri a formal part of education. Dedicated Kashmiri language teachers should be appointed in every educational institution. The syllabus must include not just grammar but also the rich literary and philosophical contributions of Kashmiri writers. This will help students feel pride in their language and become fluent in it. Third, media and technology must embrace Kashmiri. More content in the mother tongue, whether news, entertainment, or social media, will make its use normal in everyday life. Fourth, the government must take the lead through supportive policies. Official recognition, promotion of Kashmiri in public spaces, and backing for cultural programmes in the language are essential. The language must be seen, heard, and valued. Saving Kashmiri is an act of preserving our very culture. Saving our language means saving our identity. Let us make a promise: to speak Kashmiri with pride, to teach it with love, and to ensure that future generations receive not just a language, but a living, breathing legacy.