Maj Gen SK Sharma (Retd.)
shiv_k_sharma@yahoo.co.in
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a buzz word which is used in day to day conversations, policy documents as well as the educational institutions these days. Even the Govt. of India is taking keen interest in building AI ecosystem in the country. About two years ago, it launched IndiaAI Mission 2024, kept a huge budget of Rs. R10,372 crore for next few years with a plan to support AI startups, open 27 AI laboratories in the country including one at Jammu in its NEILT Centre, one at Srinagar and many other AI ventures..
Even in the current budget for the financial year 2026-27, presented by the Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, special amount has been earmarked for promoting Global AI Data Centres in the country
What is AI
AI is the intelligence depicted by the machines like computers, mobiles or tablets. To elaborate it, if these machines can be made smart enough so that these perform the actions that usually need human brains then we say that these have got artificial intelligence. The actions performed by them could be those of learning, understanding language, analyzing data and making even complicated decisions. These even solve complex problems and make predictions too.
AI in day-to-day life
In our day-to-day life, we are using and experiencing influence of AI at every step. While travelling, the Google maps installed in our cars guide us and take to the exact destination we want to go. Our mobile phones and computers correct our text automatically with the help of AI. We can ask any question to mobile phone in Hindi or any language and ask the reply in the same or different language, both verbally and also in text form. These are just a few examples in our day to day life.
Even the speeches given by the members in both the houses of the parliament are translated automatically to 22 languages including Dogri with the help of machine learning tools of AI.
However, the Gen Z students are using it for solving many of their problems and finding answers to what they ask for.
AI in Education system
This subject of AI, which was being taught only in engineering colleges till just a decade ago, has got sudden boost with its inclusion in the schools. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), introduced AI as a skill subject in 2019 for the 9th and 10th classes. In the next year, it introduced AI for classes 11th and 12th too. Currently, it is being taught from class 6th onwards.
As per educationists, AI has become the universal fundamental skill with which every individual must be conversant of, and India is moving ahead in this direction. In a study, titled The Global AI Vibrancy Tool 2025, carried out by Staford University, USA, the top three positions in AI vibrancy across all the countries have been captured by USA, China and India leaving behind most advanced countries like UK, Germany, Japan etc.
Realizing that, Govt. of India, on 30 Oct 2025, decided to introduce the subject of AI in class 3 in all the CBSE schools from 01st April 2026.
Regional Languages in Education System
The Govt. of India has been constantly promoting all the 22 languages, including Dogri, listed in the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution. The National Education Policy (NEP) promulgated by the govt. in 2020, lays stress on delivering the contents of various subjects in these languages. For this, the govt has launched National Language Translation Mission (BHASHINI), so that the govt services, education and technology are made accessible to all irrespective of the language they speak. A few of the works, which are being done in all the 22 languages including Dogri are as under:
* Translation of parliament speeches
* Translation of Primer Minister’s Mann ki Baat every month
* Under ASMITA scheme, 22,000 books will be produced in all 22 languages
* Bahubhasha Shabdkosh is launched to have web-based dictionaries for all the languages
* Literature in many Indian languages is being published by CIIL, Mysore
AI and Dogri
As per the Census of India 2011 report, there are 25.13 lakh Dogri-speaking citizens in the state, bulk of whom are residing in the Jammu region of J&K. As per one estimate, this population would have gone up to 30-35 lakh by now, including around 3 lakh school going children.
As per NEP 2020, the 3-language formula is to be implemented in which first language to be taught is the mother tongue in the first 5 years of schooling. Second language could be Hindi or Urdu or any other local language and third language is the English. Also as per Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009, books in all the govt schools will be provided free to the students aged 6-14 years i.e. up to class 8th.
Are the above regulations being followed in J&K? A few facts about J&K are as under:
* Dogri language has not been made compulsory in the Jammu region in spite of its being the official language of UT and listed at the national level.
* Books of Dogri are not being provided free to the students of classes 3rd to 8th.
* Preparing material of the subject AI for classes 3rd or upward and making this available in Dogri is nowhere in sight.
Efforts by Dogra Community
* AI Seminar at MIET: Based on the demand of the Dogri-speaking students and faculty of the region, the Model Institute of Engineering and Technology (Autonomous), Jammu approached All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), Delhi and got a grant of Rs 2.0 lakh for conducting a seminar on AI in Dogri during Oct 2025. Experts on AI who conducted the proceedings in Dogri included Prof. Lalit Magotra, Prof Dev Anand, Prof Pawanesh Abrol (all former heads of dept. at the University of Jammu) and Maj Gen SK Sharma besides other outside experts. It was very well received by all the Dogri-speaking participants in understanding the AI concepts.
Google Developers Group at MIET: Principal Secretary, Dept. of Culture J&K had invited the Goggle Developers Team comprising of Dogri speaking students and asked them to develop AI-based mobile apps for translating Dogri speech/text to other languages and vice versa.
* Free Classes by Dr. Ashish Sharma: Understanding the need of training Dogri-knowing teachers, students as well as parents on AI, Dr. Ashish Sharma has started posting a 2-3 minute video on YouTube as well as Instagram every day, from 1st Jan 2026 under the title Dogri Digital. Till date, thousands of citizens have viewed these videos, got themselves educated and even over 100 Dogras have also subscribed to these.
It is worthwhile mentioning that Dr. Ashish Sharma is an alumnus of IIT Bombay whose books on AI are available on the internet.
* Efforts by the Jammu-based Universities: Cluster University of Jammu has recently started a 6-month Advance Course on Dogri Translation in which AI techniques will be covered for translating from any language to Dogri (verbal as well as text). Besides, the scholars and faculty in the universities of Jammu and SMVDU are writing thesis on specific aspects of Dogri from research angle..
Recommendations
* For Data Centre at NEILET Jammu: As this center is located in Jammu, it must become the top center for all Dogri related literature, must enrich glossary of Dogri verbal words, literary words with the help of BHASHINI so that mobile apps in Dogri are rolled out fast.
* For SCERT Jammu: Special orientation courses should be conducted for the school teachers on the subject of AI in Dogri, so that they are well equipped with the knowledge as and when the subject of AI starts in schools.
Parents and Teachers: As AI has become the universal fundamental skill, it is desired that they should make use of the free classes being conducted by Dr. Ashish Sharma on YouTube and Instagram.
Education Dept: As the Govt of India has decided to introduce the subject of AI in class 3, the Govt of J&K should also follow the steps so that the children of our state are not left far behind in the fast growing field of AI.
(The author is Board Member, MIER Group of Institutions and Former Member, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board)
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