Gojar, Gujjar, Gurjar

Gojri in service of culture (Editorial of Daily excelsior)

Gojar, Gujjar and Gurjara are different forms of one name with which a particular community in the State is associated. Many scholarly research studies have been conducted not only in the country but outside the country as well on the origin, demographic distribution, history and culture of Gujjar community. Surprisingly, some researchers have extensively delved deep into geographical distribution of this community and have asserted that Gurjistan of Arabic and Farsi historians is the present Georgia in the Eurasian region, which was previously a component of the Soviet Union. The people there are called Gorji. At the same time, Gujarat, the southern state of India wherefrom the present Prime Minister Narendra Modi comes, is also stated to be the ancient habitat of Gurjaras of Vedic and epic times of India. Nearer home, Gujranwala (Gujran is plural of Gujjar and wala is suffix) is a district in Pakistan not far from Jammu. The Gurjaras are often spoken about in our mythological lore. Hence the Gujjars of our State are historically and ethnically connected to a vast human society spread over a huge chunk of the globe. They can become India’s non-official ambassadors to various parts of Asiatic Continent and can become instrumental in forging of a huge international social cum ethnic group.

The two-day State level Gojri cultural meet is a happy reminder of realization on the part of stakeholders that they have to exploit the vast potential hidden in them. These meets can become role model for other communities. We would like that the Gojri cultural organizations, Academy of Culture and Art and the Gojri scholars and literati all join hands to give international profile to intellectual and creative activities they are doing for the promotion of Gojri language, literature and culture. All these activities need to be dovetailed to international profile of Gujjars.