Multilingual News Initiative (MNI) is a volunteer project by The Chenab Times started in January 2021. This was the first initiative of its kind, broadcasting news in lesser-known languages in the Chenab region of Jammu and Kashmir.The project aims to include all languages which are spoken in the Chenab region.
Use of Urdu
The Urdu language is used for translation of news, which helps in easy understanding of the lesser known languages. The viewers at least get an idea of what is being spoken in the local language. The need for using the Urdu language is due to the majority of the population understanding Urdu in Jammu and Kashmir and the fact that the organisation is also based in Jammu and Kashmir.
Lesser known languages
At first, Sarazi was started in MNI’s “Headlines of the day” and, after some time, the Bhaderwahi language was also included in it. The Sarazi and Bhaderwahi languages share the Chenab river as a border inside the Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir.
First Sarazi and Bhaderwahi journalist?
Farid Ahmed Naik became the first Sarazi language news reporter. While, Naeem ul Haq Wani made the first news in Bhaderwahi language. Khaleeq Anjum also contribute to Bhaderwahi reports.
Gojri Khabarnama
On 14 February 2023, The Chenab Times has made a new addition to its Multilingual News Initiative (MNI) by starting to publish news in Gojri language. With the addition of Gojri news, The Chenab Times aims to provide a platform for the Gojri language speakers to express their views and opinions, and to bring this significant language into the mainstream. The Gojri Khabarnama will be published daily in the morning and will include all the latest news and events happening in the region. Saima Fani will be the main anchor/news presenter for Gojri Khabarnama.
Our initiative covered in prominent media organisations
- Scroll.in: Making headlines: A news site in J&K is putting out daily bulletins in lesser-known languages
- TheWire: ‘A Way to Reclaim Our Identity’: How ‘The Chenab Times’ Is Using News to Preserve Dying Languages
- Frontline The Hindu: The Chenab Times attempts to preserve Bhaderwahi and Sarazi in Jammu & Kashmir