Bhopal, January 23 (Pervez Bari): Despite neglected by the Corporate Houses to issue commercial advertisements, the Urdu newspapers are safe from the vices of sensationalism, blackmailing and paid news nowadays prevalent in the news world.
The Urdu journalism is not in conflict with that of Hindi while English journalism poses challenge to both as it has captured most of the resources and large number of readers being overawed by it due to their subjugation mentality are promoting it unconsciously without giving a thought to the repercussions.
The above views were stated by the Editor of Siasat Mr. Amir Ali Khan, published simultaneously from Hyderabad Bangalore, while speaking at a National seminar on “Urdu Journalism: Challenges and Expectations” at Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism and Communication, (MCNUJC), here on Saturday.
At the end of the day-long national seminar Prof. Brajkishore Kuthiyal, Vice Chancellor of MCNUJC, stressed on opening competent news agency in Urdu and appealed to get rid of English habits. He announced that he would keep proposal of teaching Urdu journalism in the form of optional subject in the masters course of university of journalism. He is prepared to give cooperation for giving training to Urdu media institutes.
Earlier, Prof. Kuthiyala, delivered the welcome address in the inaugural session. He said that the objective of this symposium is to prepare material for working plan regarding Urdu Journalism. He added that Urdu is not a language of any particular section or some people rather it is language of the nation. He opined that Urdu has vital role in development of nation.
Mr. Amir, the main speaker at the seminar, said Pakistan claims Urdu to be its national language but the first Udru digital newspaper in the world was “The Siasat Daily” which was published from Hyderabad. Pakistan has not given due credit to Urdu. “Pakistan is the greatest enemy of Urdu after partition of the country. He said Urdu newspapers are the most secular of all the newspapers in the country. He reasoned that the trend of ’advertorials’ has not yet been started in Urdu journalism. Urdu journalism is away from any sensationalism of news. The culture of ‘Page 3’ is yet not introduced in Urdu newspaper,” he pointed out. He argued that it’s not Urdu but English newspapers which have challenges to face. English newspapers are under threat because of the emergence of new alternative media.
He informed that his Siasat newspaper has done investigative stories uncovering many scandals, corruption cases and Human Right violations. He added that Urdu journalism has its dignity but primary problem of Urdu newspapers is dearth of good translators.
“The biggest responsibility of vernacular newspaper is to keep the communal passions under control whereas its biggest challenge is to keep the readers in its touch as people are moving towards English newspapers ”, opined Mr. Amir Ali while addressing the seminar.
Arif Beg, the former Central Minster and chief guest of the conference, began with an Urdu couplet “Siyasat ko lahu peene ki lat hai, Watan mein waise to sab khairiyat hai”. He said that it is quite strange to get estranged in our country. Recalling the freedom movement he said that Urdu played a vital role and gave the well known slogan “Inqalab Zindabad” to achieve Independence from the yoke of the British rule. He lamented that now people are neglecting it. He suggested making a proper strategy for the development and recognition of Urdu.
Special guest on the occasion was Qaari Mohammad Miyaan Mazhari, the Editor of “Secular Qayadat” (Delhi). He said Hindi is the elder sister of Urdu and both can coexist without infringing the rights of one another. He said that Urdu journalism is symbol of mixed culture.
Journalist from Hissar Ms Firdous Khan said that there is basic difference in the thinking of Hindi, Urdu and English newspapers. She reasoned that progress of Urdu language is dependent on people whose mother tongue is Urdu and on the government.
Jagran Hindi newspaper editor Sarvadan Pathak said that primary problem of Urdu newspapers is lack of resources and readers. He reasoned that there is coordination between Urdu and Hindi journalists but there is lack of coordination in newspapers’ management of these two languages.
While All India Radio, Bhopal Correspondent Sharique Noor said that once upon a time government language of Bhopal was Urdu and Bhopal was its forte Urdu. He reasoned that if Urdu journalism has to be promoted then Urdu education in school should be promoted.
Other speakers that participated in the conference were Asad Raza, Bureau chief in Sahara Udru Roznama, Delhi, Masoom Moradabadi. Editor of Jadeed Khabar, Delhi, veteran Arif Aziz of The Daily Nadeem (Bhopal), senior journalist Tahseen Munawwar (New Delhi), Mrs. Marzia Arif etc. expressed their views and many more personalities were present on the occasion.
The seminar was held in three sessions where challenges and expectations, problems and solutions and teaching and expectations of Urdu Journalism were discussed. The vote of thanks were proposed by Raghvendra Singh, Dr. Pavitra Shrivastava and Prof. Ashish Joshi in different sessions. Prominent among those present on this occasion included Chatanya Purushottam Agarwal, SK Trivedi, Deepak Sharma. Pushpendrapal Singh and others. The seminar was conducted by Mr. Sanjay Dwivedi with aplomb. (pervezbari@eth.net)