Uttarakhand To Digitally Preserve Folk Literature And Dialects: Chief Minister Dhami

In a significant move to preserve and promote the rich linguistic and cultural heritage of the state, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced a comprehensive plan for the digitization and promotion of Uttarakhand’s folk literature, dialects, and oral traditions. Chairing the General Assembly and Executive Committee meeting of the Uttarakhand Bhasha Sansthan at the Secretariat, the Chief Minister emphasized the creation of an e-library and the preparation of a linguistic map of the state’s diverse dialects.

The Chief Minister also stressed replacing bouquets with books as gifts to foster a culture of reading and intellectual exchange in the state. “We must work towards preserving our dialects, folk tales, and songs. An audio-visual collection and weekly competitions in schools will go a long way in connecting the youth with their cultural roots,” he said.

Key decisions taken during the meeting include:

• Increase in Award Money: The Uttarakhand Sahitya Gaurav Samman will be enhanced from ₹5 lakh to ₹5.51 lakh. A new Sahitya Sevak Samman of ₹5 lakh will also be instituted to honor long-term contributors to literature.

• Promotion of Young Writers: The Yuva Kalamkar Competition will be organized to encourage young writers (aged 18–24 and 25–35) to write in Rajbhasha Hindi.

• Mobile Libraries: Plans to introduce mobile libraries in remote areas, with assistance from reputed publishers, were discussed.

• Cultural Documentation: The traditional Pandavani Bakana singing of the Jaunsar-Bawar region will be documented. Efforts will also be made to compile the literary works of dramatist Govind Ballabh Pant, along with literature published in Indian newspapers and magazines 50–100 years ago.

• Research Initiatives: Research projects will be undertaken to study and preserve High Himalayan and tribal languages.

• Sahitya Grams: Two Sahitya Grams will be established in natural settings to host seminars and foster literary creation.

Language Minister Subodh Uniyal highlighted that several new initiatives have been undertaken by the Bhasha Sansthan over the past three years to promote and preserve regional languages. He noted that the state government is actively working to generate interest among the youth through multimedia content, including short videos in local dialects.

The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary R.K. Sudhanshu, Secretary V. Shanmugam, Sridhar Babu Adanki, Director of Language Swati Bhadoria, Additional Secretary Manuj Goyal, and prominent academicians including Dr. Surekha Dangwal, Vice Chancellor of Doon University, and Prof. Dinesh Chandra Shastri, Vice Chancellor of Sanskrit University Haridwar.