The Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) has launched the first-ever textbooks in the Shina language for primary classes 1 and 2. This initiative aims to preserve the diminishing Shina language, spoken primarily in the Gurez valley and Drass region. The move aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which promotes mother-tongue-based education. Textbooks have been printed and distributed for the upcoming academic year, marking a significant step in mainstreaming indigenous languages.