Staff Reporter / New Delhi
Despite COVID crisis, the International Urdu Day was celebrated with traditional gaiety and tranquility with many seminars and prize distribution ceremonies were organised in the national capital on November 9.
On the occasion the United Muslim of India and Urdu Development Organization organised a seminar and prize distribution ceremony. Several awards were given away to distinguished personalities working for the upliftement of Urdu.
Distinguished scholar and former chairman of Delhi Minorities Commission, Dr Zafarul Islam Khan was awarded Dr. Abdul Jaleel Faridi Lifetime Achievement Award. Dr Khan recently relinquished Chairmanship of the Delhi Minorities Commission who did a remarkable job in making the commission as proactive. He also edits Milli Gazette and former President All India Muslim Majlis Mushawarat.
Besides him several other notable persons of Urdu language, literature and journalism and those who have rendered significant services in their respective fields were also awarded at ceremony attended by well known personalities of the city.
Apart from him, Mr. Ashraf Ali Bastavi, Ms. Waseem Rashid, Mr. Syed Ajmal Hussain, Mr. Ali Adil Khan and Mr. Zahid Ali were awarded for their work in the field of journalism. While Munshi Prem Chand Award were given to Mr. KP Malik (Dainik Bhaskar) and Mr. Siraj Azeem for children’s literature.
Urdu Day has been celebrated on November 9 as a mark to birth anniversary of great poet and philosopher Allama Mohammad Iqbal.
International Day Urdu Organizing Committee chairman Prof. Abdul Haq said that protection and promotion of Urdu is a national issue and the main purpose of celebrating Urdu Day is to promote this popular common language of our country.
Dr. Syed Ahmad Khan, Convener of International Urdu Day Organizing Committee said the acceptability of the Urdu Day has been increasing by the day which shows Urdu is a language of the masses. Despite films and TV serials are made in Urdu but it does not get the due credit for this, he said.
