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]
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]
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]
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]
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
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.
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.[32] He was also awarded on first 'National Tribal Pride day' on 15th Nov 2021,by Tribal Affairs Department, J&K Govt.[33]
J&K Tribal Awards 2022 : Department of Tribal Affairs Government of Jammu and Kashmir for contribution to Tribal literature (Gojri Language).[34]
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[35]
