Two-day conference on Urdu promotion begins

Our Correspondent

Srinagar, December 14

To promote the Urdu language in Kashmir, the JK Academy of Art, Culture and Languages organised a two-day Urdu conference in here today.

Officials said it was a first such event in Kashmir in recent times. The topic of the conference was “Jammu Wa Kashmir Main Urdu Ki Tarveej Main Mukhtalif Idaroon Ki Khidmat”.

During the two-day conference, noted writers and scholars will present their papers on different aspects of progress of the Urdu language in J&K, giving an overview of various forms of Urdu writing.

These include Mohammed Yusuf Taing, Prof Mansoor Ahmad Mir, Ghulam Nabi Khayal, Dr Mushtaq Ahmad Wani, Farooq Nazki, Dr Jowhar Qadusi, Rafiq Raaz, Baderud Din Bhat and Satish Vimal.

In the inaugural session today, prominent writer and researcher Prof Nazir Ahmad Malik, HoD (Urdu), Central University of Kashmir, presented his keynote address. He spoke on the quality of Urdu writing and also highlighted the role of various state-based institutions engaged in promotion of the language in J&K.

Noted writer Farooq Nazki presided over the proceedings while prominent Urdu writer Kacho Asfandyar Khan was the chief guest. A large number of writers, poets, artists and lovers of Urdu were present.

On this occasion, special Urdu publications of the academy, including Jammu, and Kashmir, Ladakh Number, Vol 10, Begum Akhter Number, Krishan Chand Aur Kashmir Number, Hum Asar Afsana Number and Jammu Wa Kashmir Main Urdu Shairee Number were released.

The post-lunch session was marked by presentation of papers by Mohammed Yusuf Taing, Mansoor Ahmad Mir, and Ghulam Nabi Khayal.

Earlier in his welcome address, Secretary of the academy Dr Aziz Hajini highlighted the need for promoting the cause of regional and national languages like Urdu.

“As an institution, we have to work for promotion of all languages and holding of conferences like this one we are hosting today are steps that are required to be taken for highlighting the status of languages in J&K,” Dr Hajini said.