By Najam Gilani, TwoCircles.net,
Patna: One of the most common argument one gets to hear in the case of Urdu is that the language is dying. But the fact is the tribe of Urdu speakers is increasing and not only from one particular community. The launch of a diploma course in Urdu language through Hindi and English, by a government academic body, proves the point.
Given the demand for Urdu language course from non-Urdu speakers, the National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language (NCPUL), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD), Department of Secondary and Higher Education, has recently launched one-year Diploma Course in Urdu Language through Hindi or English.
Uttar Pradesh (UP) is the most populous state of India, so is Bihar and Maharashtra. Majority of the people in UP, quite a good percentage in Bihar and Maharashtra also can read, write and speak Urdu. That adds up to quite a good number. Whole of Indian film industry uses the medium of Urdu language and considering its reach one can easily imagine how far and wide the language is reaching. The only difference is, it’s not the chaste form of Urdu which is in practice now. The great Urdu poet Daag Dehlvi has rightly explained this, “Nahi khel ai “Daag” yaaron se kah do, key aati hai Urdu zubaan aatey aatey.”
To reach out to those people who are interested in this language, Government of India is doing its every bit. NCPUL’s Diploma Course in Urdu Language (2009-10) starting 1st of April 09 is part of the efforts to promote the language. Since it’s the first language in which learners can understand and interact comfortably therefore this course is being taught through Hindi and English medium to reach far and wide.
Earlier it used to be a six month certificate course which NCPUL initiated in 2001,but due to its growing demand and popularity it has been upgraded to one year Diploma Course in 2003.
Shazia Ilmi, a Star News reporter, while covering a news on plight of Muslims on the eve of 2004 Lok Sabha election summed up her report with these couplets – “Sab hain apney yahaan,Par chahta hamey koi nahi-Hum bhi is mulk mey Urdu ki tarah rahtey hain.”
The statement emphasized the point that Muslims, like the lovely language Urdu, have also been neglected and ignored.
Neglected or not is matter of intense debate and great academic research but if opinions and reports are anything to go by then one can safely say that the prosperity of both – the Language and the community is increasing.
Urdu is not Aramaic or Syriac. It’s not an ancient language buried in the pages of history for scholars to research. It’s completely alive; healthily breathing and those aficionados of royalty, sophistication, elegance and mannerism will keep flocking towards it every now and then. Tribe is increasing and not only from one particular community.