JAMMU, Juy 17: Shiv Sena (UBT) Jammu & Kashmir Unit President Manish Sahni has welcomed the administration’s initiative to display traditional Dogri (Takri) script on road signs, public signboards and important landmarks. However, he termed the move incomplete unless the Takri script is integrated into the education system.
In a press statement issued from the party’s state office, Sahni said, “Displaying the Takri script on signboards is a welcome step. But when it is not taught in our schools, colleges and educational institutions, this beautiful and historic script remains meaningless for the common people. Our heritage is not meant merely for display; it must be passed on to future generations through education.”
He said that although the Dogri language has long been recognized in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India, Takri script and Dogri have still not received the place they deserve in the education system. This, he added, reflects the continued neglect of the region’s linguistic and cultural heritage.
Sahni demanded that the Takri script be introduced in a phased manner in the curriculum of both government and private schools from the primary to the secondary level. He also called for free district-level training camps, workshops and public awareness campaigns to reconnect young people and the general public with their historic script.
He warned that if the government confines the Takri script to tourism, beautification and symbolic display alone, this priceless cultural heritage will gradually fade into history.
Shiv Sena (UBT) urged the Lieutenant Governor’s administration and the Jammu & Kashmir Government to take immediate policy measures for the preservation, promotion and meaningful integration of the Dogri language and Takri script into the education system.