Zafar Shakir, Assistant Professor, Department of Modern Languages, presents KIU and GB Culture and Languages as a KIU and GB ambassador in the University of Oregon, America and received lots of appreciation and applause from the International Scholars.
Globalization and modernization have affected the indigenous languages of GB; the educated youth of GB are inclined towards bigger languages, such as English, as a result, a large proportion of GB languages and culture is being affected, Zafar said during his addressing. He further stated, it was a good idea though to be multilingual, yet imperative to preserve, promote and safeguard the indigenous knowledge, languages, and culture of GB in particular and Pakistan at large.
He said the language is in danger when its speakers cease to use it; he experienced that the youth of GB did not use their regional languages proudly while communicating with one another which was an alarming situation. He urged that the GB youth be proud in showcasing their rich culture and use their mother tongue in their day to day conversation.
Zafar proposed to establish societies in GB to document and promote Shina and regional languages, and in this connection, KIU is a better platform to document, preserve and promote them, Besides, GB Provincial Assembly might establish an institution/platform to document, preserve and promote the regional languages and rich culture of GB, he stated. Electronic and print media should give much time and space for the promotion of Shina language and culture, i.e arranging talk shows, group discussions on material and non-material cultures which would help the GB people take much interest and speak in Shina and other regional languages. He also proudly stated that he loved his culture, his people, and languages; he is the son of Gilgit-Baltistan the Jewel of Pakistan, Zafar proudly exclaimed.
He thanked KIU for providing him such a wonderful opportunity to get an international exposure that helped him to present Shina Language and GB Culture here in the US; Zafar Shakir also thanked Shina language experts: Mr. Abdul Khaliq Taj, Mr. Jamsheed Khan Dukhi, Mr. Ghulam Abbas Nasim and Mr. Abdul Hafiz Shakir for their great support and wisdom that they had extended for his talk, thus, he became able to present GB Culture and languages in a super great manner. At the end, he urged KIU students in particular and GB educated youth at large for the promotion of their rich languages and culture.