(It) is our avowed policy to treat all scheduled languages equally and to provide mechanisms for development of these languages. Urdu is essentially an Indian language and often the vocabulary of Urdu and Hindi becomes indistinguishable. The grammar and syntax of Urdu and Hindi are one. This aspect highlights the essential unity of Indian languages which are broadly mutually intelligible and have been contributing to the strengthening of our grand Lingua Franca. The most important endeavour of National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language (NCPUL) has been to re-discover the roots of Urdu language in the Indian culture and redefine the role of Urdu in evolution of Pan-India identity in a pluralistic and multi-lingual scenario, NCPUL has now been able to initiate debate in the country with the thesis that roots of Urdu language being essentially Indian, the language has to grow in the total linguistic scenario of India.
Commitment of our government to promote Urdu is duly reflected in the budgetary allocation for the Council -Rs.84.5 lacs (1996-97), Rs.224 lacs (1997-98) and Rs.300 lacs (1998-99). The promotion of Urdu ought to be assisted fully by the Government but we should not overlook the reality that the language which produces high-class literature is bound to progress. Secondly ...good literature ... in Urdu should reach more and more people. Council should produce a quarterly or six monthly magazine anthologising important Urdu literature produced in that period. If there is an excellent book in the period it may be published in condensed form. Such devnagri script so that these may reach a wider audience. Afterward these can be translated into other Indian languages also.
The declaration by the Government of India of NCPUL ... as the nodal agency for promotion of Urdu in the country will help (it) in establishing effective liaison with State Governments, State Urdu Akademis and other institutions and develop a thrust in Urdu promotion endeavour. Our Government will shortly take a view of about Gujral Committee Report.
The Council has now started an academic audit of existing Urdu textbooks with a view to bring them in conformity with the national standards and objectives. Government is considering the establishment of a framework for training of Urdu medium teachers and the provision of advanced educational technological inputs in Urdu medium education ...
The NCPUL has been running Calligraphy Training Centre in various parts of the country ... It has now been decided (to train) Katibs (to handle) and to provide ... in the Centres in a phased computer environment manner. Further ... courses of study are being updated (to expose Katibs) to graphic designing and applied art ..
Some steps have been taken to develop Urdu software in collaboration with C-DAC, DOE. During the recent SAARC conference ... the NCPUL has been identified as the nodal agency for development of Urdu software compatible with Internet operation .. The NCPUL took part in the World Book Fair held from 7-14 February 1998. Books valuing Rs.18,39,265/- were sold upto 31 March, 1998. (Its) quarterly journals "Fikr o Tehgeeq" and "Urdu Duniya" are appearing on time. Volume-II and Volume-III of Urdu Encyclopaedia are already out. With this, all the three volumes of Urdu Encyclopaedia containing macro entries on 33 subjects have been completed. Volumes II, IV and V of English -Urdu Dictionary have been published. Authors of Urdu (and Arabic/Persian) were supported under Bulk Purchase Scheme. This year books of 116 authors were purchased and distributed among libraries ...
... Urdu newspapers subscribing to the UNI are being subsidised the service charges ... UNI Urdu service has been further strengthened ... Till 31 March, 1998 an amount of Rs.19,54,965/- has been paid as subsidy to Urdu newspapers ...
One of the important objectives of the NCPUL is to coordinate the activities of State Urdu Akademis. The first Annual Conference of Urdu Akademis was held at Chandigarh where the recommendations regarding developing a closer link between the Akademis and the NCPUL were discussed. State Akademis are emerging as partners in the endeavours of NCPUL and are helping the Council in monitoring the various programmes which the Council has undertaken in the States. The Second Conference was organised at Srinagar on 22-23 June, 1998 ... Coordination between the institutions in Kashmir and the rest of the country have been rejuvenated. ...
Shahabuddin's Letter-to Minister of HRD, 4 February, 1999
I have read your address to the 4th Meeting of the National Council for the Promotion of Urdu Language.
I would like to share my feeling with you that the Council is bordering itself with activities which do not relate directly to its raison d'être - the promotion of Urdu Language and, may I add, Literature.
For example, provision of part-time/full-time Urdu or Urdu-medium teachers to Schools, publication and supply of College/School, textbooks for Urdu and other subjects in Urdu, promotion of classical language - Arabic and Persian, financial assistance to Maktabs and Madarsas or modernisation of Madarsas or even support to Persian and Arabic authors can and should all be handled by the Department of Education. Subsidy to Urdu newspapers for UNI Service should be handled by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
The danger is that the Council with its limited staff if diverted into side channels will not do justice to its main goals. Let it concentrate on its core projects.
I would also suggest for consideration by the Council and yourself the institution of National Urdu Literature Awards - Poetry, Novels, Short Story, Drama, Criticism, Biography, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, Journalism by the NCPUL jointly with all State Akademis with mutual agreement that the State Akademis shall limit themselves to recognition of authors of Urdu books published in their own States. There is no point in an author receiving lollipops, even from more than one Akadernis, as is being done now.
I request you to consider these suggestions.
