Salvaging pride

With subtlety in accent, royal touch in approach and tenderness in pronunciation, Urdu language has the capacity to impress and leave a firm impression on the hearts and minds of anyone who hears it. Such is the charm of Urdu that understanding becomes secondary.

This is precisely why the lovers of Urdu around the country treat the language and the customs associated with it as sacred. Yet a language that has more than five crore speakers in India seems to be losing its charm and glory.

A major catalyst in the struggle for India's freedom, Urdu journalism has lost its flair and dignity post independence. The conditions at present are not positive. Delving on the future of Urdu journalism, eminent personalities gathered at the India Islamic Cultural Centre recently to express their concern and offer suggestions to improve the current state of the Urdu language in general and Urdu journalism in particular.

Eighty five-year-old renowned Urdu journalist, G. D. Chandan was present on the occasion along with Shahid Siddique, the editor of Nai Duniya. Columnist Zafar Agha also lent his voice.

Full report here Hindu