Gojri to have 50 world classics

In a major initiative to widen the access to classic and modern languages, fifty rare and greatest work of English, Persian and Sanskrit are chosen to be rendered into Gojri, the third largest spoken language of Jammu and Kashmir said Dr. Javaid Rahi a senior functionary of J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages in a meeting of prominent Gojri writers held here today. He said that this long-term project was initiated to bring world class and landmark works into Gojri to enrich this ancient tribal language spoken by the Gujjar tribe. He said that under this prestigious project 21 classics have already been published in Gojri language which include world famous work like Mathnavi Moulana Rumi, "Gulistan-e-Saddi” Rubiyat-e-Umar Khayam, Karwan-e-Madina , Shakespeare's Othello and King Lear, Sanskrit's Neelmat Puran , the autobiography of Mahatma Gandhi "My Experience with Truth", Shahan-e-Gujjars and others. This Project is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2011, he said. Dr. Rahi, the project head and Chief Editor of the State Academy further told that the project was aims to revitalize the art of translation among Gujjars across the Indian Sub-continent and reverse the long decline in Gojri readers' access to major works of global literature, philosophy, and history adding that another objective of this rare effort is to connect Gujjars to their roots which are spread over Central Asia Dr.Rahi told. This has become an official venture, as the Department of Gojri of State Academy of Art, Culture and Languages has engaged 20 prolific researchers to translate 50 world class works of 18 legendry writers of 3 classic and foreign languages of the globe for an early compilation of the Translation works, , Dr. Rahi said. Dr. Javaid Rahi said this project was conceived and designed to give a variety literature to lakhs of Gujjars and non-Gujjars speakers of Gojri who resides in India, Pakistan ,Afghanistan and other parts of the world. He said this is a unique project of its own kind in any Tribal Language of India especially in Gojri as this is one of the most ancient languages of India. “we are also working on the project of generation of high-quality translation tools such as dictionaries and software; translator education; information dissemination; development of scientific and technical terminology in Gojri including promotion of machine translation and machine-aided translation” Dr Rahi said. From this year we are starting a Translation journal in Gojri entitled “Sanjh” which will enrich Gojri through translations of various subjects. He said when completed the Gojri translation of all fifty world classics will be made available on net under e-literature project of Gojri which is under way.