Hyderabad: Presenting a keynote address in the seminar on “Urdu Journalism: Today and Tomorrow” held at Chicago, US under the auspices of Urdu institute, Mr. Zahid Ali Khan, Editor of Siasat Urdu Daily, Hyderabad told that due to effective use of modern technology, Urdu has became the most popular language of the world. He pointed out that by searching internet, it was known that there are 3400 cities in 170 countries where someone or the other knows Urdu. He further told that we should contribute for the preservation and development of Urdu. Dr. Ausaf Sayeed, IFS who is a Hyderabadi, presided over the seminar. In his presidential address, Dr. Sayeed narrated the history of Urdu Journalism. He said that after Bangla Press, Urdu Press is the oldest press of Asian subcontinent. He informed that at the time of partition of India, there were only 415 Urdu newspapers and periodicals whereas according to the report of 2015 published by the Registrar of Indian Newspaper Society, there are 4770 Urdu newspapers and periodicals. Dr. Sayeed further told that the popularity of Urdu could be gauged from the fact that the wedding invitation card of the first PM of India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was printed in Urdu.
Memorial awards were presented to Mr. Zahid Ali Khan, Dr. Ausaf Sayeed and Mr. Meer Mohtashim Ali. The seminar started with the recitation of the Quranic verses by Mr. Sajid Chowdhary. Mr. Ameen Haider, in his presidential address highlighted the functioning of Urdu institute at Chicago.
Mr. Iftakhar Shareef while addressing the gathering assured his cooperation for the development of Urdu language cultural center in Chicago. Mr. Javeed Rana of Pakistan news and Editor of “Urdu Times” of Chicago, Mr. Tariq Khwaja also addressed the gathering. At the end of the seminar, Mushaira was held under the chairmanship of Dr. Sadiq Naqvi, former Professor of History of Osmania University, Hyderabad. Poets from Hyderabad and Chicago recited their poems.
–Siasat News