*Praises Modi for linguistic respect
Excelsior Correspondent
LUCKNOW, Dec 1: Speaking at the Fifth International Urdu Conference held at Era University, former Union Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad stressed the need for a joint campaign to preserve Urdu and Hindi.
He said that both languages are hallmarks of Indian culture and should receive widespread encouragement in education, literature, and society.
Azad, who was the chief guest at the International Urdu Conference, appealed to save and promote Urdu and Hindi languages.
He said that the time has come when we should launch an organized campaign for the preservation of both the languages, because “Urdu will remain alive only if Hindi remains alive.
He said that our languages are the biggest basis of the Ganga-Jamuni culture of the country. Religion does not bring people closer as much as language does. “Urdu has not come from anywhere outside, it is born of the soil of India.
Azad discussed the historical development of Urdu in detail. He explained that the true golden age of Urdu came during the time of Mirza Ghalib, and since then, the language has gained recognition worldwide for its literature, poetry, shayari, and culture.
He said that while Urdu is not in the same condition today, there is still time to save it. Urdu has the status of a second language in eight or nine states, but this has become a mere means of garnering votes. The reality is that if proper Urdu teachers are appointed, millions of children will come forward to learn it in a single day.
Azad said that Bollywood played a major role in popularizing the Urdu language. He said that until two decades ago, most film songs were in Urdu. Their writers were both Hindu and Muslim. Urdu has always maintained its influence in the entertainment world.
The former Union Minister praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for delivering speeches in Hindi during his foreign visits. He said that the leaders of Russia and China always speak in their own languages, no matter how much time is spent translating them. Therefore, when the Indian Prime Minister speaks in his own language, it enhances the country’s prestige, not diminishes it.
Azad said that Mahatma Gandhi called Urdu and Hindi “two daughters born of the same mother.” He explained that the poet Amir Khusro first created the “Hindavi” language by combining Braj and Sanskrit, which later evolved into Urdu.
Citing renowned Urdu poets such as Ghalib, Ali Sardar Jafri, Firaq Gorakhpuri, Kaifi Azmi, Bekal Utsahi, and Ismat Chughtai, he said that Urdu literature is unmatched. He also noted that in the past, many cities in Uttar Pradesh used to host large mushairas (mushairas) where poets would recite their works throughout the night, but this tradition has now dwindled.
Former MP Dr. Rita Bahuguna Joshi, who chaired the conference, said that Urdu is not just a language, it has become the language of democracy.
She said, “When I became the mayor of Allahabad, the oath was prepared in Hindi, Sanskrit, and Urdu, but not a single councilor could recite it in Urdu.
Famous Urdu writer, Dr. Joshi mentioned many great Urdu writers, including: Ali Sardar Jafri, Braj Narayan Chakbast, Faiz Ahmed Faiz and Wasim Barelvi
He said that when Wasim Barelvi became an MLC in 2016, Ram Katha narrator Morari Bapu arrived by chartered plane to welcome him. This shows the acceptance and popularity of Urdu.
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