Uttarakhand CM pushes for digitising local dialects, folk music, literature
Uttarakhand CM urges digitisation and promotion of local dialects, folk music, and literature
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has called for strong steps to promote and protect local dialects, folk music, and literature. In a recent meeting with the Uttarakhand Bhasha Sansthan, he laid out several ideas to preserve the cultural heritage of the state through digitisation and awareness activities.
Dhami said that the unique languages and traditions of Uttarakhand need to be preserved for future generations. He stressed the importance of digital tools and creative programs to make people, especially the youth, more interested in their native languages.
The Chief Minister proposed that the Sansthan should prepare a linguistic map of the dialects spoken in different parts of Uttarakhand. This will help in identifying, recording, and studying the different ways people speak across the state.
He also asked the organisation to hold a festival on Uttarakhand's languages and literature, where writers and artists from across India could participate. This would help bring more attention to the cultural beauty of the state.
One of his key suggestions was to digitise folk songs, stories, and local literature. He said this should include the creation of an e-library, where people could access stories, books, and folk music in digital form. These resources should not only be written texts, but also audio and video content, so that they are more engaging, especially for young people.
Competitions in schools and support for writers
The Chief Minister also talked about encouraging children to learn and use local dialects. He suggested that schools should hold weekly competitions in activities like speech, essays, and storytelling – all in local dialects. This will make students more familiar with their own cultural roots.
To keep children interested, the Bhasha Sansthan will prepare short videos in local languages. These videos will be designed to increase curiosity and connect children emotionally with their folk traditions.
In another major decision, the amount of the Uttarakhand Sahitya Gaurav Samman – an award given for literary excellence – will be increased from ₹5 lakh to ₹5.51 lakh. A ₹5 lakh honorarium will also be awarded to those who have contributed to literature over a long period.
The CM also announced a literary competition for young Hindi writers. This contest will be open in two age groups – 18 to 24 and 25 to 35. It aims to find and encourage new writing talent in the state.
To improve access to books, the Sansthan will create mobile libraries that can travel to remote areas of Uttarakhand. The government also plans to work with big publishers to provide books and other reading materials on various subjects to local readers.
Preserving ancient traditions and literature
Another important plan is to preserve "Pandavani singing – Bakna," a traditional form of storytelling that has been practiced in the Jaunsar Bawar region of Uttarakhand for centuries. The Bhasha Sansthan will document this oral tradition in detail.
The Sansthan will also compile the complete literary work of the famous dramatist Govind Ballabh Pant. His contribution to Hindi drama and literature will be collected, documented, and published.
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In addition to this, the organisation will collect the writings of authors from Uttarakhand that were published in newspapers and magazines across India 50 to 100 years ago. These rare works will be compiled and preserved so they are not lost with time.
In a unique step, the state will also set up two literary villages in Uttarakhand. These will be quiet, scenic places where writers can stay, work, and create new literature surrounded by nature. It is expected that such villages will inspire writers and artists to connect deeply with the cultural roots of the region.
All these decisions show that the state government, under CM Dhami’s leadership, is serious about protecting the heritage of Uttarakhand. From school programs and digital libraries to festivals and writer support, the state is creating many opportunities to keep its languages, literature, and traditions alive and strong.
