Javaid Rahi
Born
Poonch, Jammu and Kashmir
EducationDoctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) from University of Jammu, Jammu in 2004 ( Jammu and Kashmir) [1]
Occupations
  • Author
  • tribal researcher and social reformer
Notable work300+ books (edited/authored) on tribal research, 22 years in social service in JK tribes[2]
ChildrenAli Javaid (Son)
Awards
Websitewww.youtube.com/@javaidrahi1

Javaid Rahi is an Indian author, a tribal social reformer, and a researcher of national repute.[4][5][6] He has been consistently working for the past thirty years to protect the ethno-culture heritage of the indigenous Gujjar-Bakerwal tribe in northwest India. He is a writer of Gojri, Punjabi and Urdu languages.[7][8] As a researcher, he has written 12 books and edited over 300 books and magazines in Gujari/Gojri, Urdu, and English, showcasing the literature, history, and culture of tribal communities like the Gujjars , Bakarwals, Shina-Dard , Sippis, and Gaddis—all of whom are enlisted as Scheduled Tribes in the Indian Constitution.[4] In addition, he has written study papers and contributed to cultural treats of India's nomadic and pastoral communities.[6][7][9][10]

Early life

He was born to renowned Gujari and Punjabi poet Babu Noor Mohammad Noor in the village of Chandak in the district Poonch, close to the Actual Line of Control on the Indo-Pak border in Jammu & Kashmir.He completed his Doctor of Philosophy degree (Ph.D.) from the University of Jammu in 2004. He conducted in-depth study on the six "tribal languages" of Jammu and Kashmir including Gujari , Shina, Gaddi, Balti, Purgi and Ladakhi also known as Boti.[11][12]

Social Work and Reforms

Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha of J&K releasing the books of Dr. Javaid Rahi at Raj Bawan Jammu

In 1991, the Government of India officially granted tribal status to communities in Jammu and Kashmir, including Gujjars, Bakarwals, Gaddis, and Sippis. However, despite this recognition, these communities did not enjoy the full rights and privileges available to tribes in other parts of the country. It was in this backdrop that Javaid Rahi embarked on his journey as a tribal social reformer, in 1994 with a comprehensive effort to rekindle the tribal identity through awareness of their rights among these marginalized communities.[13]

Over a span of three decades, Javaid Rahi passionately advocated for the adaptation of a national model to develop the tribal communities of Jammu and Kashmir. Through tribal conferences, seminars, and public gatherings, he tirelessly championed the cause of these communities, pleading for their rights and cultural preservation.. Through advocacy, awareness campaigns, and education initiatives, he has paved the way for these marginalized communities to reclaim their rights and cultural heritage. Javaid Rahi's work serves as a beacon of hope for tribal communities, illuminating a path toward a brighter and more empowered future.[14][15][16][17]

In 2019, a significant breakthrough occurred when the Government of India extended all the nationwide laws that empower Scheduled Tribes to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. This transformative move, facilitated by the "Jammu and Kashmir Re-organisation Act, 2019," was widely hailed by tribal groups and marked a pivotal moment in the quest for tribal empowerment.[18][19][20]

Building on this historic development, Javaid Rahi launched a Union Territory-wide campaign in 2019. His goal was to make Scheduled Tribe communities aware of the Constitutional safeguards and tribal laws that had been extended to Jammu and Kashmir. These laws were designed to empower tribes culturally, ethnically, educationally, socially, and politically.

As part of this campaign, Rahi traversed the length and breadth of Jammu and Kashmir, reaching out to the tribal and nomadic population. He provided crucial information about newly extended laws, including the SC/ST Atrocities Act of 1989, the Forest Rights Act of 2006, the Delimitation to Reserve Constituencies for Tribes in 2019, and Amendments in the Panchayati Raj Act. These legislative changes aimed to pull tribal communities out of marginalization and social exclusion.[21]

By empowering the tribes of Jammu and Kashmir with knowledge through Public meetings in remote areas , using his YouTube Channel , Facebook Pages, along with traditional mediums like radio and TV programs, he has enabled them to assert their rights, protect their interests, promote nationalism and participate actively in the democratic process. Through his engaging videos and radio broadcasts, he simplifies complex issues in their mother tongue. He is providing practical insights into how tribal communities can assert their rights over forest land and resources, explaining the functioning of Panchayati Raj system, understanding SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act a vital piece of legislation against discrimination and violence and other laws and schemes of Government institutions.[22][23][24]

Tribal Research and Literary work

His extensive research and compilation efforts aimed at documenting and preserving the rich cultural traditions of the Himalayan Gujjars and Bakarwals. His research project, published in the form of the book 'Encyclopedia of Himalayan Gujjars, 'Folk-lore Dictionary of Gujjar Tribe' 'Folk-Songs of Gujjars Bakarwals' and 'Gujjar Shanakhat ka Safar'.These projects were carried out for institutions such as Gurjardesh Charitable Trust, Jammu, and the Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation. [25]

Javaid Rahi's career also encompasses significant contributions to the field of education. He served as a member of Curriculum Committees for prominent educational institutions in Jammu and Kashmir, including the University of Jammu and Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University in Rajouri. His involvement in shaping curricula and educational programs has been instrumental in promoting Gojri, the language of the Gujjar and Bakarwal communities. Hè played a pivotal role in compiling a series of textbooks in Gojri for schools from 1st primary to 12th class, for the Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education.[26]

Throughout his career, Javaid Rahi actively served in various cultural organizations and institutions. He served as the news editor/ reader at All India Radio in Jammu and Srinagar until 2000 and as the chief editor of Gojri at the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture, and Languages since 2000 has been marked by his dedication to preserving and promoting the Gojri language and culture. Under his supervision, the first-ever Gujari dictionary was compiled, containing a vast repository of approximately 70,000 words, further enhancing the linguistic heritage of the tribal communities.[27]

Main works

Books

Rahi has authored a number of reference books in Gujari, Urdu, English, and other languages, published by the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, Gurjar Desh Charitable Trust, Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation.[28][29]

Dictionaries

  • Compiled first-ever Gojri Dictionary (Concise) –901 pages -Published by J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, in 2015.[30]
  • Compiled first-ever Lok-Warsti Dictionary (Folk-Lore Dictionary) –(Volume 2) a Project by Ministry of Culture Govt of India, New Delhi, published in 2002 -2003.[31]
  • Compiled first-ever Hindi- Gojri Dictionary Published by Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation J&K in 2002.
  • Compiled and edited Lughat-e-Gojri (Dictionary of Classical Gojri) Published by J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages in 2014

Encyclopedia

  • Research: "Himailyai Gujjar Encyclopedia" (Encyclopedia of Himalayan Gujjars) a Project of the Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India allotted under the Cultural Heritage of Himalaya Scheme, published in 2004.

Research books

Awards and recognition

The government of Jammu and Kashmir awarded Javaid Rahi with the State Level "Tribal Award 2022" presented to him by Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha for his outstanding work in the field of tribal research and social reforms.[32] He was also awarded on first 'National Tribal Pride day' on 15th Nov 2021,by Tribal Affairs Department, J&K Govt.[33]

  • J&K Tribal Awards 2022 : Department of Tribal Affairs Government of Jammu and Kashmir for contribution to Tribal literature (Gojri Language).[34]
  • Jagom Memorial National Award’ for his distinguished services in the field of preservation and documentation of intangible tribal folk cultural heritage of Gujjars -Bakarwals of Jammu and Kashmir[35]
  • BGSB University felicitates Dr. Javaid Rahi[36]
  • Best Book Award (2000) Jammu & Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture, and Languages"[37]
  • Best Play-script Award (1998) in the Gujari language. Jammu & Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture, and Languages."[37]
  • National Fellowship (2000) Union Ministry of Tourism and Culture in New Delhi.[4][38]

References

  1. ↑ https://independent.academia.edu/DrJavaidRahi -Academeia Education
  2. ↑ https://www.thedispatch.in/life-story-javaid-rahi-cultural-activist-writer/ Archived 23 April 2023 at the Wayback Machine Life Story: Javaid Rahi, cultural activist, writer
  3. ↑ "Indian Tribal Sports in Jammu & Kashmir". 30 January 2022.
  4. 1 2 3 "Javaid Rahi -a Gujjar Scholar and Social activist". Daily Excelsior. 18 October 2020.
  5. ↑ "About the contribution Javaid Rahi". The Economic Times.
  6. 1 2 "Writer Javaid Rahi felicitated". Tribune India. Jammu. 16 December 2016.
  7. 1 2 "List of Publications of Gurjar Desh Charitable Trust, Jammu (J&K) -Books of Javaid Rahi". Gurjar Desh Charitable Trust | Jammu & Kashmir | Jammu (J&K) - India. Archived from the original on 24 September 2022. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
  8. ↑ Mir, Hilal (28 July 2018). "Gojri: The language that's spoken but rarely read -Gojri Languages-Javaid Rahi-". Hindustan Times.
  9. ↑ "Gujjars campaign for national recognition of Gojri". Business Standard. Press Trust of India. 4 March 2018.
  10. ↑ Rāhī, Jāvīd (2011). The Gujjar Tribe Of Jammu & Kashmir. ISBN 978-8183391030.
  11. ↑ https://theindiantribal.com/2022/01/30/the-gujjar-academic/ DR. JAVAID RAHI wears innumerable hats
  12. ↑ "Life Story: Javaid Rahi, cultural activist, writer". The Dispatch. 14 July 2021. Archived from the original on 23 April 2023. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
  13. ↑ "Javaid Rahi demands rights for J-K Gujjars like other tribal communities in the country". Business Standard. Press Trust of India. 21 October 2018.
  14. ↑ "Javaid Rahi demands national model to rehabilitate J&K Gujjars and other tribes". DNA India. Press Trust of India. 16 January 2011.
  15. ↑ "Gujjars demand extension of Forest Rights Act to J&K". The Economic Times. Jammu. Press Trust of India. 8 February 2015.
  16. ↑ "Implement SC/ST Act in state too: Gujjars". Tribune India News Service.
  17. ↑ "Extend SC/ST Act to J&K, demand Gujjars - Javaid Rahi". Greater Kashmir.
  18. ↑ "Forest Rights: A big relief for Gujjars, Bakerwals". Daily Excelsior. 8 November 2019.
  19. ↑ "New laws will empower Gaddis, Gujjar-Bakerwal of J&K: Rahi". Daily Excelsior. 22 November 2020.
  20. ↑ "New laws will empower Gujjar, Bakerwal, Gaddis of J&K : Javaid Rahi - Scoop News Jammu Kashmir". www.scoopnews.in.
  21. ↑ https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/new-laws-will-end-marginalization-of-tribes-javaid-rahi/ New laws will end marginalization of tribes- Javaid-Rahi
  22. ↑ "Forest Right Act will boost cultural practices: Rahi". Daily Excelsior. 28 February 2021.
  23. ↑ "Forest Rights Act will boost tribal economy of J&K: Javaid Rahi". Daily Excelsior. 3 January 2021.
  24. ↑ "Treating JK Tribal at par with STs of India reverse historical injustice: Javaid Rahi". www.kipnews.in.
  25. ↑ "conversation with Dr. Javaid Rahi-about his life and work". INDIA HEADLINE IN. 3 December 2018. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
  26. ↑ "BOSE organises 6 day workshop in Gojri to develop text books for schools-Javaid Rahi". Daily Excelsior. 30 October 2017.
  27. ↑ "conversation with Dr. Javaid Rahi". INDIA HEADLINE IN. 3 December 2018. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
  28. ↑ "Why I Gojri Books of Javaid Rahi published by Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages". viaf.org.
  29. ↑ "Why I Gurjar Desh Charitable Trust Jammu -Gojri Books by Dr Javaid Rahi". viaf.org. Archived from the original on 24 September 2022. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
  30. ↑ https://www.academia.edu/99336211/Gojri_Dictionary_by_Dr_Javaid_Rahi
  31. ↑ https://www.academia.edu/107338469/Gujjar_Qabila_Ki_Louk_Warsti_Dictionary_Volume_01_Folk_Lore_Dictionary_of_Gujjar_Tribe_Vol_01_by_Dr_Javaid_Rahi
  32. ↑ "First ever J&K UT level Tribal Awards announced on Republic Day eve- Javaid Rahi figure in the awardee". Greater Kashmir. GK News Network. 26 January 2022.
  33. ↑ "J&K transforming on an unprecedented scale, speed=- Javaid Rahi gets Awards: LG". Greater Kashmir. GK News Network. 16 November 2021.
  34. ↑ "Govt announces J&K tribal awards - Javaid Rahi Awarded". 25 January 2022.
  35. ↑ https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/javaid-rahi-awarded-for-documenting-gujjar-culture-of-jk/ Javaid Rahi Awarded for documenting Gujjar Culture
  36. ↑ "BGSB University felicitates Dr. Javaid Rahi - Scoop News Jammu Kashmir".
  37. 1 2 "Year 2000-01, Book LOK VIRSO, Award Winner Javid Rahi Under Best Book" (PDF). JKAACL, Govt of Jammu & Kashmir.
  38. ↑ "Author Directory about Javaid Rahi". Down To Earth Magazine, New Delhi.
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