By TwoCircles.net staff reporter
Patna: The Government Urdu Library organized a seminar in Patna on the life of Dr Syed Mahmud, one of the great freedom fighters.
Inaugurating the seminar, former Chief Minister of Bihar Dr. Jagannath Mishra said it was very disappointing that nothing had been done till now in honour of Dr Syed Mahmud who sacrificed his life for the sake of this country. He said since nobody demanded anything in this regard, probably this was the reason that no attention was paid to the great freedom fighter.
Dr Mahmud was very close to Mahatma Gandhi and remained general secretary of the Indian National Congress with Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru. He was member of the cabinet of Dr Sri Krishna Singh, popularly known as Sri Babu, first Chief Minister of Bihar. He also served as Deputy External Affairs Minister (1954-1957) in the cabinet of Pt. Nehru.
The speakers also spoke on Urdu.
Addressing the seminar, Virshin Patel, Minister for Human Resource and Development, Government of Bihar, said, “The country will die the day when Urdu dies.”
Earlier in his speech, Dr Mishra urged HRD Minister Dr Virshin Patel to appoint Urdu teacher in all schools and colleges irrespective of the number of Urdu students. He also urged the Anjuman Taraqqi-e-Urdu Bihar to accelerate the promotion of Urdu. Dr Mishra said he established Urdu Development Council and linked it with Anjuman Taraqqi Urdu Directorate. But it was very disappointing that no one paid any attention towards this in past 15 years, he said.
Dr Khaleeque Anjum, general secretary of Anjuman Taraqqi-e-Urdu Bihar said Dr Syed Mahmood, along with fighting for the country as a great freedom fighter, also taught Urdu. He taught Urdu to Kasturba Gandhi. Dr Anjum demanded the government to rename any important road in Patna after Dr Syed Mahmud. He also asked the government to come up with a book on the life of Dr Mahmud. Dr Anjum was honoured with the newly constituted Dr Syed Mahmud Award. Dr Abdul Quayum Ansari, Chairman of the Government Urdu Library and Secretary of Anjuman Taraqqi-e-Urdu Bihar announced that this award will be given every year.