New Delhi: Under the auspices of the Urdu Development Organisation (UDO), a grand function was organised on November 9 at Ghalib Academy, Basti Hazrat Nizamuddin, to mark World Urdu Day. On this occasion, the organisation adopted the following resolution:
“This meeting feels that the condition of Urdu education across the country, especially in North India, is extremely deteriorated. On one hand, Urdu is being targeted by communal and fascist forces, while on the other, even Urdu speakers themselves are not showing a positive attitude toward their own language.
“The meeting observes that the worst situation exists in the country’s largest state, Uttar Pradesh, where, despite the presence of thousands of government primary schools, not a single one operates as an Urdu-medium school. The Uttar Pradesh government has completely blocked all avenues for Urdu teaching and learning, resulting in a total collapse of the Urdu education system across the state. The Uttar Pradesh Urdu Academy has also remained non-functional for several years.
“Almost the same condition prevails in Delhi, Bihar, and Rajasthan – states that were once the centres of Urdu language and culture. The Urdu teachers recruited during previous governments in Uttar Pradesh are now engaged in other duties because there are no Urdu students in schools.
“It is necessary that parents insist on their children receiving education in their mother tongue, Urdu, under the three-language formula in government schools. The ‘ban’ imposed on the approval of Urdu-medium schools in Uttar Pradesh should be lifted immediately, and the system of Urdu education should be restored in the state.
“Along with this, Urdu speakers themselves should make it a point to conduct their daily work in Urdu, educate their children in Urdu, buy Urdu books, newspapers, and magazines, and support the organisations working for the promotion of Urdu education and culture. Remember, deprivation of the Urdu language is equivalent to the loss of one’s culture.
“This meeting expresses its gratitude to all those individuals and organisations who, despite unfavourable circumstances, are actively engaged in the movement to keep Urdu alive.”
Dr. Syed Ahmad Khan, International Convener of the World Urdu Day Organising Committee, thanked all the organisations and institutions that observed World Urdu Day on November 9, particularly the Uttar Pradesh Urdu Academy and the West Bengal Urdu Academy. He expressed hope that the future of Urdu is bright and promising, and that the language continues to flourish not only in India but across the world.
