A book in Urdu titled, “Urdu Sahafat: Tajziyati wa Lisaniyati Discourse” (Urdu Journalism: Analytical and Linguistic Discourse), was today released
ALIGARH : A book in Urdu titled, “Urdu Sahafat: Tajziyati wa Lisaniyati Discourse” (Urdu Journalism: Analytical and Linguistic Discourse), was today released at the Department of Linguistics, Aligarh Muslim University.
The book, carrying papers of a seminar held on the completion of two hundred years of Urdu journalism, has been compiled and edited by Prof M J Warsi (Chairman, Department of Linguistics, AMU) and Dr Sabahuddin Ahmad.
In his presidential remarks, AMU Pro-Vice Chancellor, Prof. Mohammad Gulrez said that the book Urdu Sahafat aptly reflects the social and political developments taking place over the last two hundred years. The book sheds light on the overall history of Urdu journalism and the contribution of stalwarts like Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, Munshi Sada Sukh, Maulvi Muhammad Baqar, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Nawal Kishore, Zafar Ali Khan, Maulana Muhammad Ali Johar, Maulana Hasrat Mohani, Pandit Ratan Nath Sarshar, Maulana Abdul Majid Daryabadi, Nandkishor Vikram, GD Tandon, Kuldeep Nayyar, etc.
Chief Guest, Prof. Aqeel Ahmed (Director, National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language, New Delhi) said that the Department of Linguistics played a key role in organizing a historical seminar in connection with the bicentennial celebration of Urdu Journalism. It is a memorable occasion to attend the release ceremony of the book based on the proceedings of this seminar.
He said the book holds documentary importance and teachers and students will make good use of this book.
The guest of honor, Professor Shafey Kidwai (Department of Mass Communication) said that the book sheds light on the linguistic aspects of Urdu journalism and most of the articles incorporated in this book pay special attention to the linguistic tools, including phonetics, metaphors and journalistic trends which are relevant to modern journalism.
Eminent fiction writer, Syed Muhammad Ashraf (IRS) said that the language used in journalism has been changing with the change of time and place, and this change, along with other factors, encourages a journalist to set a new literary discourse relevant to the time and place.
Former Director of Urdu Academy, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, Prof. Ghazanfar Ali said that a significant change is taking place in the media at the global level and all the languages of the world are now being integrated and harmonized in the global system of human communication.
Earlier, welcoming the guests, Prof. M J Warsi (Editor of the book and Chairman, Department of Linguistics) said that Urdu journalism has tried hard to go side by side with other media and has made its way with new ideas, insights, methods and scientific vocabulary and terminologies. This book is a celebration of the achievements and contributions of Urdu journalism.
On this occasion, Prof. Arif Nazir (Dean, Faculty of Arts), Mr. Iqbal Ahmed (BBC journalist) and Prof. Muhammad Ali Jauhar (Chairman, Department of Urdu) also expressed their views.
Mr. Masood Ali Baig conducted the programme and Prof. Shabana Hameed extended a vote of thanks.