Introduction

Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University came into existence in 2002. The objective identified for the university was to import quality education and undertake research in basic and job-oriented fields. Accordingly, the university launched various postgraduate teaching programs in 2004. Despite financial constraints and geographical hardships, the university has made significant advancement in enhancing the global visibility of its academic and research activities..

The region in which the university is located has rich geographic, climatic, and cultural diversity. The major languages spoken in the Pir Panjal Region are Gojri and Pahari. Unfortunately, both the languages failed to gain the attention of the academic institution within and outside the state. Most of the time, languages go extinct because their speakers are absorbed by a dominant language or culture group. In the age of Globalization dominant with ICT and Corporate culture, the risk of languages being lost is high if it is not taught to younger generations. Language being an important part of any society, if not preserved, future generations lose vital part of its culture. Appreciative of the scenario, the University Authorities realized the need for dedicated research in these regional languages and a CENTRE FOR RESEARCH IN GOJRI & PAHARI was proposed to be established in the campus.

The region in which the university is located has rich geographic, climatic, and cultural diversity. The major languages spoken in the Pir Panjal Region are Gojri and Pahari. Unfortunately, both the languages failed to gain the attention of the academic institution within and outside the state. Most of the time, languages go extinct because their speakers are absorbed by a dominant language or culture group. In the age of Globalization dominant with ICT and Corporate culture, the risk of languages being lost is high if it is not taught to younger generations. Language being an important part of any society, if not preserved, future generations lose vital part of its culture. Appreciative of the scenario, the University Authorities realized the need for dedicated research in these regional languages and a CENTRE FOR RESEARCH IN GOJRI & PAHARI was proposed to be established in the campus.

Later, in 2018 despite financial constraints it was decided to undertake academic activities in the CRGPK with existing faculty members in related disciplines. With the designation of Coordinator and members of coordination committee, the Academic Council in its meeting held on February 29, 2020, approved the commencement of Elective Courses in Gojri, Pahari and Kashmiri languages for students of 2 nd Semester, pursuing various PG courses. But the ‘Research Centre’ approved by the Executive Council in 2012 was finally and formally established in 2022. The year 2022 was historical for BGSBU as well as for Gojri and Pahari languages that the MA Gojri & Pahari Course was introduced for the promotion of teaching and research in these regional languages with the course contents kept in pace with changing trends in teaching and learning. During the same year, 2022, a Tribal Chair was also established