While welcoming all the speakers and participants attached globally to the World Urdu webinar in day 2, Sheikh Aquil Ahmed, the Director stated that these are the days webinars and Wi-Fi technology where everything has been condensed into a smart phone via social networking and hence, Urdu too has to be techno-savvy to come at par with the other languages. He also offered his heartfelt thanks to Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, the Education Minister stating that he, being a Hindi litterateur himself, was all for the progress and promotion of Urdu language, that was amply proved by the fact the way the NCPUL budget was almost doubled. Sheikh also quoted the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi that knowledge of languages is the door to wisdom.
The second day of the World Urdu Webinar 2020 began with the topic, “The role and responsibility of Urdu writers in the age of electronic and social media”. The two-day webinar of this international conference by the NCPUL (National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language) began with the inaugural address by Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, the Minister of Education of India on the first day, where he emphasized that Urdu is a language of not only composite culture, syncretism and interfaith bonds but also of humaneness of heart and soul. Added Nishank that this webinar has been conducted to celebrate the quintessential spirit of Urdu, its inclusive ethos and creative character.
Around 35 eminent Urdu litterateurs from all over the world had participated with very efficacious suggestions to promote the language of Urdu in these days of social media with smart phones where the information is just a touch away! Suggestions were also made on how to promote Urdu in these days of Covid-19. Frankly speaking, as also professed by many speakers, Urdu has become techno-savvy with the help of Urdu platforms like NCPUL that has actually been able to avail hundreds of books’ soft copies through an app.
Eminent Urdu professor, Zaman Azurdah said that the writers, poets and authors are the eyes of the entire social, religious and political system and they have a huge responsibility towards their connoisseurs and the lovers of the language and literature and hence, have to be very positive sans all negetivity. He also added that the most powerful source of information is the social and electronic media. Like the authors, poets and journalists of other languages, Urdu writers too are toeing the line of the internet and are connecting globally via smart phones and laptops.
That the world has become a global village and in this situation, no language can establish a strong connection with its readers without the help of modern technology, was stated by Dr Syed Taghi Hasan Abedi who also added that the NCPUL must take lead in forming a center for the Urdu writers who are techno-savvy in the way that a new generation must come up to manage the electronic and social media advancement of the language, like — "Tahaffuz-e-Urdu Board barai Barqui Media" (Board for the propagation and promotion of Urdu via electronic media).
Prof Fahim Akhtar from the UK was of the view that the world has changed in the days of Covid-19 and no one knows as to what would happen in the days to come. In such a scenario, the webinars are the best source where no travelling, spectators, auditoriums and other formalities are required and everything is managed at home or office.
While speaking about the progress of Urdu in Bangladesh, Prof Golam Rabbani said that the future of Urdu is bright and brilliant in the country. He differed with some speakers, who had spoken before him, about the drifting away of Urdu from the center spread the market today. He added that the plethora of Urdu websites is testimony to its continuing popularity. Besides, Prof Shamim Hanafi, Prof Shehzad Anjum, Syed Zain Shamsi, Prof Azarmi Dukht Safawi, Dr Ataullah Khan Kak, Dr Afzal Misbahi, Dr Mohd kazim, Prof Mushtaque AhmedProf Eqbql Ahmad, Dr Huma Parveen, Dr Imteyaz Ahmad an Prof Abuzar Usmani besides others, participated.
From Egypt’s Al-Azhar University, Dr Ahmad Mohammed Abdel Rahman stated that the excellent work done by Urdu poets, authors and journalists should be processed and progressed to the global readers. For this, senior Urdu scholars and intellectuals must join heads together for putting Urdu on a fast track.
Most of the professors agreed upon the fact that the world has changed in the days of Covid-19 and no one knows as to what would happen in the days to come. In such a scenario, the webinars are the best that are going to be the in thing of the future.