Seminar held to mark World Urdu Day
Srinagar, Nov 20: The Anjuman-e-Urdu Sahafat in collaboration with the Jammu & Kashmir Urdu Council, organised an event in Srinagar to mark “World Urdu Day” and Annual Day. During the programme, individuals who have rendered notable services in journalism and literature were also honoured, said a press release.
The event was presided over by Justice Basheer Ahmad Kirmani, while renowned Journalists Mohammad Sayeed Malik, Yusuf Jameel, Riyaz Masroor and Advocate Abdul Rashid Hanjura were also present in the presidium. The welcome address was delivered by Advocate Hanjura, President of the Urdu Council, who spoke in detail about the aims and objectives of the Council and Anjuman the significance of World Urdu Day
Prof Nazir Ahmad Malik, former Head of the Urdu Department at Kashmir University, delivered the keynote address. He comprehensively discussed the history, linguistic structure, and contemporary challenges faced by the Urdu language. Following the speeches, several individuals were honoured for their distinguished contributions to journalism and literature. Imdaad Saqi received the Journalism Award for his valuable services. The late Parvaaz Muhammad Sultan was posthumously awarded for his contributions to journalism. Prof. Nazir Ahmad Malik was also conferred with the Lifetime Achievement Award, while as late Abdul Rehman Mukhlis received a posthumous award on Urdu literature. The late Ghulam Nabi Khayal was posthumously honoured with the Shamim Ahmad Shamim award.
Two books were also released during the ceremony: “Mere Hissay Ka Poonchh” by Mir Showkat and “Urdu Sahafat ke Darakhshaan Sitaare” by Dr Ruhi.
In his presidential address, Justice Basheer Ahmad Kirmani spoke about the challenges faced by the Urdu language. He said that a language remains alive only as long as its script survives, and once the script disappears, a language soon turns into a mere dialect. He added that Urdu is not just a language for us but the name of an entire civilization. The event concluded with a vote of thanks presented by Bilal Furqani, while the proceedings were conducted by journalist Ahtisham Hussain Muhtashim from the Pir Panjal region
