Javaid Rahi is an Indian author, researcher and tribal social worker.[4][5][6] He is a writer and poet of Gojri, Punjabi and Urdu languages.[7][8] He has written 25 books and edited over 300 books and issues of magazines in different languages especially in the field of tribal literature, history, and culture of pastoralists including Gujjars, Bakarwals, Shina-Dard, Sippis, and Gaddis— and other Scheduled Tribes groups of India.[4][6][7][9][10]

Javaid Rahi
Born
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

Early life

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Rahi completed his Doctor of Philosophy degree (Ph.D.) from the University of Jammu in 2004. He conducted 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

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Javaid Rahi with Gujjars and Bakarwals during awareness programmes

Javaid Rahi started tribal social activism in 1994 through awareness among Tribal and marginalized communities about constitutional rights and guaranties grant to them as Scheduled Tribe .[13]

Through tribal conferences, seminars, and public gatherings, he worked to press for adoption of a national model in J&K, aiming to empower the ST communities previously deprived of constitutional rights under the state's special status pre-2019.[14][15][16][17] In 2019, in result of a long struggle, the nationwide laws including Political Reservation for STs, Forest Rights Act 2006, SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act 1989, Conservation Act 1982 and many other Acts are implemented in J&K "Jammu and Kashmir Re-organisation Act, 2019," that empower Scheduled Tribes J&K.[18][19][20]

From 2019 he travelled tribal areas of J&K to inform tribal communities about new laws extended.With his awareness programmes thousands of Forest Dwellers tribal families are now enjoying rights under Forest Rights Act of 2006.[21][22][23][24]

Tribal Research and literary work

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

His research studies on tribal communities were carried out for institutions such as Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, Central Institute of Indian Languages, Tribal Research Institute-J&K, Department of Tribal Affairs, J&K besides community organizations including Gurjar Desh Charitable Trust, Jammu and Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation. [25]

Javaid Rahi also served as a member of Curriculum Committees for master's degree in Gojri run by University of Jammu and Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University in Rajouri and University of Jammu. He also complied a series of textbooks in Gojri for schools from 1st primary to 12th class, for the Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education.[26]

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

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Books

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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

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  • 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

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  • 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

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Awards and recognition

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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.[35] He was also awarded on first 'National Tribal Pride day' on 15th Nov 2021, by Tribal Affairs Department, J&K Govt.[36]

  • J&K Tribal Awards 2022 : Department of Tribal Affairs Government of Jammu and Kashmir for contribution to Tribal literature (Gojri Language).[37]
  • 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[38]
  • BGSB University felicitates Dr. Javaid Rahi[39]
  • Best Book Award (2000) Jammu & Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture, and Languages"[40]
  • Best Play-script Award (1998) in the Gujari language. Jammu & Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture, and Languages."[40]
  • National Fellowship (2000) Union Ministry of Tourism and Culture in New Delhi.[4][41]
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References

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  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. ^ a b c "Javaid Rahi -a Gujjar Scholar and Social activist". Daily Excelsior. 18 October 2020.
  5. ^ "About the contribution Javaid Rahi". The Economic Times.
  6. ^ a b "Writer Javaid Rahi felicitated". Tribune India. Jammu. 16 December 2016.
  7. ^ a b "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. Gulshan Books. 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. 13 August 2018.
  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. ^ Rahi, Dr Javaid (January 2015). "Gojri Dictionary by Dr Javaid Rahi".
  31. ^ Rahi, Dr Javaid (January 2001). "Gujjar Qabila Ki Louk Warsti Dictionary Volume -01 (Folk-Lore Dictionary of Gujjar Tribe Vol: 01 )by Dr. Javaid Rahi".
  32. ^ Rahi, Javaid, ed. (1999). Lok Virso Gojri - A Book on Folk Lore of Gujjars. Vol. 1. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  33. ^ Rahi, Javaid, ed. (2012). The GUJJARS - A Book Series on History and Culture of Gujjar Tribe. Vol. 1.
  34. ^ Rahi, Javaid, ed. (2016). "The GUJJARS - A Book Series on History and Culture of Gujjar Tribe". The Gujjars -Vol: 06- ed Javaid Rahi. 6.
  35. ^ "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.
  36. ^ "J&K transforming on an unprecedented scale, speed=- Javaid Rahi gets Awards: LG". Greater Kashmir. GK News Network. 16 November 2021.
  37. ^ "Govt announces J&K tribal awards - Javaid Rahi Awarded". 25 January 2022.
  38. ^ https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/javaid-rahi-awarded-for-documenting-gujjar-culture-of-jk/ Javaid Rahi Awarded for documenting Gujjar Culture
  39. ^ "BGSB University felicitates Dr. Javaid Rahi - Scoop News Jammu Kashmir".
  40. ^ a b "Year 2000-01, Book LOK VIRSO, Award Winner Javid Rahi Under Best Book" (PDF). JKAACL, Govt of Jammu & Kashmir. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 May 2021. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
  41. ^ "Author Directory about Javaid Rahi". Down To Earth Magazine, New Delhi.