‘Urdu can bridge gap between communities’

Nagpur: Over the years, technological advancement has enabled access to Urdu texts on phones and feed information to computers. This has helped a huge chunk of Urdu speakers to stay digitally connected and is a true wonder of digitisation, said noted writer Rehan Kausar from Kamptee.
Kausar was talking at a symposium organized as part of a daylong regional conference organized by Idara-e-Adab-e-Islami at Markaz-e-Islami Hall, Jaffar Nagar, on Sunday. Idara-e-Adab-e-Islami is a literary wing of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind.

“Today, internet and social media platforms like Google, Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp have given us access to Urdu which holds a bright future for its literature. One of the most heart-warming examples of this is Rekhta Foundation which focuses on online shayari and celebrates Urdu poetry and literary works on social media,” said Kausar.

This conference was organized to assess the ‘Current challenges for Urdu literature’ and its future sustainability. A panel discussion and mushaira were also organized. The speakers expressed their confidence that the future of Urdu literature is bright due to its nature of acceptability to all age groups irrespective of caste, class and colour.

Zeenatullah Javed, retired professor of Urdu who was the chief guest, believed that Urdu literature has been a medium of disseminating love and togetherness in the society. “We should bridge the gap between communities rather than distancing them further and Urdu holds that power,” he said.

Another speaker, a teacher at Kidwai Nagar High School and Junior College Ashfaq Ahmed, spoke about the necessity of Urdu shayari and literature in upbringing children. “Urdu language possesses a charm and respectful tone which is essential for children to learn when they grow. It will not only teach them communication skills but also keep them away from excessive use of internet and television,” he added.

Syed Yahya Nasheet, a research scholar on Urdu and Marathi literature, spoke about the soulful Sufi music and fables in Urdu. Khan Hasnain Aaqib and Mateen Achalpuri were present. Maulana Shakir Falahi conducted the symposium.