MANUU Vice Chancellor Syed Ainul Hasan strongly opposed the suggestion for adoption of Devnagari script for Urdu. A script is the essence of a language. “If you give up your script you give up your language”, he said

When it is an Urdu programme there is bound to be a lavish display of language, literature and poetry. The bicentenary celebration of Urdu journalism held at the Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) here on Sunday, was no different. While the state of affairs of Urdu journalism was the subject of discussion, audience were, however, treated to a generous dose of Urdu couplets.

Khincho na kamanon ko, na talvar nikalo
Jab tope muqabil ho to akhbar nikalo
(Neither bow-arrow nor a sword you need
Publish a newspaper when faced with cannon)

But in the present times when one brings out a newspaper one need to have cannon as well. “These are anti-journalism times and the journalistic journey is dotted with many a pitfall”, remarked Shahid Lateef, Editor of Mumbai’s Inquilab Urdu daily.
Apart from the financial constraints faced by Urdu media, running a newspaper is not an easy task these days. Technology has provided a new platform in the shape of digital media which is less expensive and easier to operate even from a single room. But it should not be at the cost of quality, he said.
A large number of journalists from across the country are attending the three-day international conference on the “Urdu Media: Past, present and future”. The conference sponsored by MANUU’s Department of Mass Communication and Journalism aims to discuss the challenges and prospects facing Urdu media and the new avenues opened up by digital platform in the next two days.
Foreign journalist, Dr. Waiel S H Awwad was the chief guest.
Striking a positive note, eminent journalist and lyricist, Hasan Kamal, said while the past of Urdu media was very glorious, its present is a bit bleak but its future is very bright. Nearly 75 percent of the print media is finished today.  Digital media is the order of the day, and it holds out hope for not just Urdu but other languages too. Some persons are, however, bent upon sounding the death knell of Urdu. But the fact is the language is far from dead.  It is very much alive and kicking in Hindustani, which is a mixture of both Hindi and Urdu.

Hasan Kamal, who penned such hit songs like ‘Dil ke armaan aansuon mein bah gaye’, said Bollywood couldn’t survive without Urdu.
Senior journalist, Shakeel Hasaan Shamsi, advised students to take up journalism only if they have a passion for it since it is a challenging profession. Their motive should be to serve people not to just make money. He recited a couplet to drive home the problems facing the profession these days.

Na to dault hai na deenar wo dirham rakhte hain
Ham to itne mein hi kush hain ke qalam rakhte hain
Bus unhi longon ke haton mein qalm jachta hai
Apne seene mein jo insanon ka gham rakhte hain
Le ke jata hai qalam dar-o-rasan tak aksar
Wo qalam phenk dein jo hausla kam rakhte hain

Kamna Prasad, founder Jashne Bahar Trust, recalled how the first Urdu newspaper, Jam-e-Jahanuma, was published from Kolkata by Harihar Dutta, a Hindu. The founder of the first Hindi newspaper was also a Hindu. But today we are busy separating ‘sheer and shakar’, she remarked to point out the wedge being driven between the Hindu and Muslim communities. Continuing in the same vein, Prof. Ehtesham Ahmed Khan, Dean, SMCJ, said Urdu journalism was not related to any particular community.

Veteran journalist and former MP, Swapna Das Gupta, said the influence of Urdu is far greater than its formal recognition. He stressed the need for preserving the literary culture of Urdu and also the journalism linked with the language. The Urdu University, he said, is well placed to deal with these twin issues.
Prof. Sanjay Dwiwedi, director general, Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Dr. Abdul Qadeer of Shaheen Group of Schools, also spoke.
Prof Syed Ainul Hasan, MANUU Vice Chancellor, who presided, strongly opposed the suggestion for adoption of Devnagari script for Urdu and said a script is the essence of a language. “If you give up your script you give up your language”, he said.

J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Article published in The Siasat Daily

Dated November 14,2022

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As the year long celebrations of Urdu journalism’s bicentenary draws to an end, Hyderabad’s oldest Urdu daily, Rahnuma-e-Deccan, gets a new makeover. Rahnuma-e-Deccan, which completed its centenary last year, has undergone extensive changes to meet the needs of readers. The new look of the newspaper will be unveiled at the Urdu Media Conclave 2022 scheduled at the Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) here on Sunday.
The Nizam era newspaper, which earlier went by the name Rahbar-e-Deccan, was founded by Yousufuddin and Ahmed Mohiuddin in 1921. The newspaper played a crucial role in inspiring, guiding and shaping the destiny of the Muslim community which felt demoralised after the merger of the Hyderabad State with the Indian Union. It served as a morale booster to the community and gave it a fresh hope and perspective.
Till his demise in December 2021, Syed Vicaruddin had been the face of Rahnuma-e-Deccan. He took over the editorship of the newspaper along with his brother, Syed Lateefuddin Qaudri, in 1967. Under their management Rahnuma-e-Deccan grew both in circulation and popularity. The newspaper espoused the cause of Telangana movement at the cost of inviting the wrath of the then Congress government. As a punitive measure, the government withdrew advertisements to the newspaper for a long time. Vicaruddin dedicated his life for the newspaper and endeavoured to bridge the gap between India and the Arab World as chairman of the Indo Arab League.
In its new avatar, Rahnuma-e-Deccan sports a sleek look. There is a change in its masthead, logo and the layout. “It is now as per international norms”, says Ahmed Ameer Khan, who is now looking after Rahnuma-e-Deccan. He plans to bring in more changes in tune with the digital era. A strong social media presence is also in the offing. “We hope the newspaper will last for another hundred years”, says Khan.

J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Article published in Telangana Today

Dated November 12,2022

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Some shed silent tears; some broke down while a few wept openly. There were also signs of relief on their faces. Their ordeal had at last come to an end and they were happy about it. They are all victims of Avini, the tigress which struck terror in several villages of Yawatmal district in Maharashtra four years ago.

On Wednesday the next of kin of those killed by the man-eater and also those affected by it gathered at the Borati village in Ralegaon taluka to observe the fourth death anniversary of Avini. It was the same village where the tigress made her first kill. And incidentally it was the same place where she was shot dead by Asgar Ali, son of Hyderabad’s sharp shooter, Nawab Shafath Ali Khan, on November 2, 2018. Later the father-son duo became the target of a bitter trial and witch-hunting with activists dubbing them ‘trigger happy’ and dragging them to the court – although the operation was carried out on the orders of the Maharashtra government.

About 10,000 people turned up at the programme organised by the locals. Family members of the 13 persons mauled to death by the tigress were there. So were a good number of others who were affected by the terror created by the wild animal in 26 villages. As many as 76 Sarpanches from different villages like Borati, Swarkheda, Loni and Vedashi took part in the programme. The father-son duo, the chief guests, were given a rousing welcome and profusely garlanded by the villagers.

There was a carnival-like ambience in the tiny village. From 2016 to 2018 most of the surrounding hamlets experienced a virtual lockdown with Avni having a free run. All agricultural activities came to a grinding halt as none could dare to come out. People were afraid to even answer the call of nature for fear of the prowling tigress. So this event was an important occasion for the people after the pain and anguish they went through. Programme organisers, Arvind Futane and Ankush Muneshwar, distributed clothes to the affected families and also arranged lunch for all. Fourteen candles were lit as a mark of respect to the deceased.

Hyderabad sharpshooters being felicitated by the villagers.

Most of the affected persons turned emotional and couldn’t speak when given the mike. All they could mumble was a big ‘thank’ to Nawab Shafath Ali Khan and his son, Asgar Ali, for putting the tigress to sleep. “Otherwise we would be still living under fear’, said a villager whose wife, Mangala, was killed by Avni. The husband of Archana, who was killed by the elephant, Gajraj  brought to capture the tigress, also expressed his gratitude to the Hyderabad shikaris for ending Avini’s reign of terror.

Nawab Shafath Ali Khan unveiled the plaque containing names of the victims.

Nawab Shafath Ali Khan unveiled the plaque containing names of the victims. He urged the government to provide compensation of Rs. 1 crore to the next of kin of those killed and job to a family member. He asked the government to use the funds at the disposal of Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) for erecting chain link fencing of core forest areas so that wild animals like tigers and leopards don’t spill over to human landscape. “Nearly 40 percent of tigers in India are outside the protected area”, he said.

In fact, the tiger is only the tip of the iceberg.  Wild boars and blue bulls (Nilgai) are a greater threat to agriculture farms. In Gujarat, Rajasthan, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra blue bulls are a bigger menace while in Telangana it is the wild boar which is giving sleepless nights to farmers. He wants wild boars to be translocated to fenced tiger reserves so that predators have enough prey to live off. “This is the only solution to the growing man- animal conflict”, says the sharpshooter.

J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Article published in The Siasat Daily

Dated November 4,2022

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