URDU

Report of the Committee on Establishment of Urdu University, 1993 (Extracts)

Recommendations:

·       The proposed University should not a conventional University. It is a more flexible and resilient pattern that is required.

·       It should not be created by converting an existing University. The beginning has to be made on a clean slate.

·       It should be based, with suitable changes and adaptations, on the pattern of the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU).

·       The stress should be on Physical, Life and Social Sciences rather than on literature, although the last will not be excluded.

·       A number of important links in the chain of Urdu education have been broken over the last four and a half decades. It should be the endeavor gradually to supply those links particularly in areas where primary and elementary education in Urdu, is not provided.

·       The proposed University should be designed to give a shot in the arm to the teaching of Urdu and to integrate it with job-oriented courses.

·       It should also have under its wing an Open School on the pattern of the National Open School.

·       Although the University has necessarily to be located at one place, its benefits could be made to reach all areas where there is a substantial Urdu- speaking population. This could be done by opening Study Centres. These Centres could be effectively associated not only with collegiate education but also with vocational training.

·       The target will be to start the first phase in July, 1994. The appointment of the Vice-Chancellor OSD should be made well in advance.

·       The University will have to undertake translation work on a large scale. The Urdu University will be given the permission to translate the course material prepared by the Indira Gandhi National Open University. Experts may be engaged to take up independently the task of preparation of curricula.

·       The University should teach three languages- Urdu English, Hindi or a regional language as compulsory subjects. The regular faculty in the Urdu University should be minimal. The concept would be to have one eminent expert heading each discipline. He would be expected to collect around himself other experts as consultants. (xii) The medium of instruction except in the case of languages will be Urdu.

·       The jurisdiction of the proposed University should extend not only to the entire country but also to the constellations of the Urdu-speaking communities in Canada, USA, UK, Iran, Iraq, Gulf countries. Egypt, Afghanistan, Commonwealth of Independent States, Fiji, British West Indies and Mauritius. It should be possible for the University to open Study Centres in these countries.

·       The proposed University will also be authorized to affiliate colleges and institutions in India and abroad.

·       The University will have a functional bias. One of its objectives will be to make people improve their existing skills and acquire new ones. Lessons on nutrition, health care, civic responsibility and national solidarity, conservation of environment will receive special attention.

·       The above programmes relating to Humanities, Social Sciences and Physical Sciences will be supplemented by research and development. One of the tasks to which the University may address itself would be bringing out Urdu language books for various disciplines.

·        The University may also be the nodal agency for providing financial assistance and academic guidance to Madrasas as under the proposed scheme of Modernization of Madrasas Education.

·     Notwithstanding the predominantly 'Open' character the Bill should contain an enabling provision which would allow the proposed University to set up conventional residential and teaching institutions, particularly in the field of technical, vocational and professional courses etc.

·        

 Academic Priorities

In the First Phase, the Committee, therefore, recommends the setting up of the following 7 Schools over the period 1993-94 to 1996-97:

1.     School of Natural and Physical Sciences.

2.     Schools of Commerce and Business Management.

3.     School of Computer Application and Informatics, Distance Education and Industrial Training

4.     School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

5.     School of Education and Teachers' Training.

1.     6.School of Humanities, Social and Behavioral Sciences.

6.     School of Languages, Linguistics and Indology.

The Committee recommends that all possible efforts should be made to initiate action to start the above-mentioned Schools from the academic session of 1994 in phased manner. The process must be completed by 1996-97. The proposed university must accord high priority to the Thrust Areas which are germane to social- economic development of Urdu-speaking population in the country.

The university must constantly assess the socio- economic situation in the country and its different regions before deciding upon its academic programmes, research and extension in order to ensure that there is no conflict between the academic equipment of its students and the employment opportunities. The courses should be need- based and intake of students tailored to the quantum of need.

The National Policy on Education envisages that in order to equip the students with a wider awareness of subjects like National Integration, Unity of Religions, Democracy and Secularism, Freedom Movement of the country etc. foundation courses must be introduced at the university level for students joining the institutions.

 The Committee feels that the proposed university while selecting Schools to be opened on priority during the 9th Plan would do well to consider the following in addition to the Schools mentioned in the Interim Report:

1.     School of Art and Culture.

2.     School of Physical Education and Sports.

3.     Centre of Peace Studies and Gandhian Thoughts.

4.     Centre of Development Studies.

The proposed university should ensure prompt action to achieve the above objectives.

 The most vexed question which the Committee had to handle was the location of the University. The main contenders are Aligarh, Patna, Lucknow, Bhopal, Madras, Rampur, Bombay, Bangalore, Delhi and Hyderabad.

 The claim of Aligarh is based partly on the possible conversion of Jamia Urdu which is imparting distance education and partly on its being the seat of the Aligarh Muslim University and of the Urdu Movement.

 Bombay has a vast network of Urdu medium schools Because of the film industry; Bombay has continued to attract eminent Urdu poets and writers. has a vigorous Urdu Press.

 Bhopal is also in the zone of consideration, having a central geographical location well-connected with all parts of the country, a sizeable concentration of Urdu- speaking population and old linguistic traditions.

Bangalore, the city of gardens, is another serious contender. Karnataka like Maharashtra has a vast network 1. of Urdu medium schools. The State Government's 2. cooperation is assured. The Chief Minister of Karnataka 3. Shri Veerappa Moily offered 200 acres of land in Bangalore for the proposed University. He has very kindly offered the building of National College in Bangalore city for the immediate use of the Urdu University to run its office etc.

Some of the members were of the view that Delhi would be the ideal location. The new University has to evolve according to a constellation of requirements. It has to adjust its sights as it proceeds. It would be a unique institution in that it would have an immense catchment area; it would have to supply to the language many of the links that have unfortunately snapped over the years and it will also attempt in its limited way a socio-economic uplift of the Urdu-speaking population. Altogether, this would be a new experiment which would require constant interaction with the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Doordarshan etc. Moreover, for an open Urdu University, it would be a great advantage to be in functioning in proximity to the Indira Gandhi National Open University, on which it would have to depend heavily during its formative years.

Hyderabad has had very old and purposive association with the development of Urdu. There is tremendous enthusiasm in Hyderabad. The Government of Andhra Pradesh is also very keen and offered 500 acres of land next to the Hyderabad Central University area and facilities for temporary residential accommodation for the V.C. and other officers.

 Patna would also be a good name but due to the peculiar development of the city along the Ganges and Urban congestion, it may be difficult to get a suitable plot of land there.

 The Government of Tamil Nadu also offered some land in Sriperumbudur and temporary accommodation in the Madras University.

The Committee resolved to recommend the following places where Urdu University may be set up in alphabetical order:

(i)             Bangalore

(ii)           Delhi

(iii)         Hyderabad

The Committee unanimously recommends that the proposed University may be named as "Maulana Azad National Urdu University" (MANUU).

URDU:

Expenditure on Advertisement by Ministry of Human Resource Development,

1992-93 and 1993-94

Ali Sardar Jafri Supports Dev Nagri Script for Urdu

 In a very friendly dialogue with the Urdu poet Ali Sardar Jafri. I asked him bluntly why the Urdu lobby does not accept reading and writing of the language in Dev Nagri or Roman script. His reply was revealing and deserves serious consideration of propagators of Hindi as the sole national language of India. If the impasse between Hindi and Urdu can be resolved, the language battle could be won as far as northern India is concerned. Said Ali Sardar Jafri, "If champions of Hindi are willing to reintroduce the use of the bindi (dot) when using Urdu words in Dev Nagri and poets like Meer Taqi Meer and Ghalib are included in textbooks of schools and colleges, I for one will be willing to accept Urdu or Hindustani being written and read in Devnagri".

 What Ali Sardar says makes good sense when Hindi papers and broadcasters deliberately drop the bindi and mispronounce Urdu words and Muslim names. What justification is there to make Mirza into Mirja? Is there any logic in mutilating a language recognized by the Constitution?

 The second point taken up by Ali Sardar Jafri is even weightier. Meer, Ghalib, Daagh, Zauq, Zafar, Iqbal, Firaq, Josh and other Urdu poets are a part of our literary heritage. Sarey Jahan Say Acchaa Hindostan Hamaara was written by Iqbal. Innumerable patriotic songs were composed in Urdu. They are in fact in Hindustani and easily understandable. Is there any explanation besides anti- Muslim (most Urdu poets were and are Muslims) and anti- Urdu prejudice? Those opposed to this accommodation for Urdu in Dev Nagri script owe the nation a rational explanation.

 (Source: The Hindustan Times, 30 March, 1996)

Shahabuddin's Reply, 31 March, 1996

Mr. Khushwant Singh's touching plea (30 March, 1996) for acceptance of Dev Nagri script for Urdu is like persuading a healthy person to commit suicide. First, adding Bindis to Dev Nagri script will not cure mispronunciation and Ghazal will still 'Gajal'! Secondly, Urdu is an international language and Urdu in India will not only be slowly absorbed by Hindi (as a style) but part company with Urdu in other countries like Pakistan, the Gulf, the UK and the USA. Even if a few Urdu poet are included in Hindi syllabus. Urdu-speaking people will be cut off from the valuable and massive heritage in Persian script.

 The most appropriate answer still is Gandhiji's suggestion for Hindustani as the national language (first among equals) written in Dev Nagri and Persian scripts. Hindustan will evolve by using words from both Urdu and Hindi which have origin in Persian and Arabic and Sanskrit.

 The script is an organic growth. Imposition fails as it has now in Central Asia.

 Incidentally Iqbal's Sare Jahan Se Achha is neither our national anthem nor song!

Government Statement on Agencies Hiring Accommodation for Hajis

Accommodation for Indian Haj pilgrims in Saudi Arabia is hired by the Consulate General of India, Jeddah, with the good offices of the Moassassa of South Asian Countries constituted by the Government of Saudi Arabia.

The procedure followed is that the Building Renting Delegation of the Central Haj Committee holds discussions with the Saudi Minister of Haj and the Chairman of the Moassassa of South Asian Countries to decide the broad parameters... including the number of units to be hired, distance from the Haram Sharif and the rental to be charged. Subsequently, the Building Selection Team, consisting of representatives of State Haj Committees, goes to Saudi Arabia to assist the CGI, Jeddah, in the selection of buildings. Buildings are selected with the help of Moallims and long-lease holders approved by the Government of Saudi Arabia and the rental agreements are signed with the landlords/long- lease holders in the presence of the Moassassa.

No agent has been appointed by the Central Haj Committee for hiring accommodation. While some press reports have appeared, no specific case has come to notice.

Further Statement of Minister of External Affairs during Discussion

We are working on a comprehensive legislation to replace (the Haj Committee) Act or rather amend the Act of 1959. The consultation process is going on. I am sorry that it has taken much longer time than we intended it to. But we have reached the final stages of drafting the legislation. Haj pilgrims are coming from different parts of the country and there are different embarkation points.

Therefore, the State Haj Committees should also have adequate representation and say in the Central Haj Committee. Keeping that objective in view, we are proposing to amend the (Act). I do not know whether it will be possible during this Session, but as soon as possible, we would like to bring an amendment to the 1959 Act.

As far as Government expenditure is concerned the expenditure in 1995 was Rs. 17.50 crores. In 1994, it was Rs. 24.69 crores; in 1993, it was Rs. 16.11 crores and in 1992, it was Rs. 14.43 crores. These are the figures of expenditure incurred by the Government in the last four years.

Haj pilgrimage is different from the other types of pilgrimages. This type of an event does not take place in any other religion. Therefore, this is not a comparable situation.

The Government have certain expenditure on the official delegations whose job is not only to overview the arrangements but also to make our viewpoints known because a large number of Islamic countries are represented in this pilgrimage and sometimes the delegations are of a very high political level. Therefore, we considered it necessary that if we send the official delegations to have interaction with them during those days, then it will be possible for us to place our viewpoints before the people on many issues. The expenditure incurred was Rs. 30 lakhs in 1991 and it went up to Rs. 1.22 crores in 1995.

(Source: RSSQ No. 82 dated 6 March, 1996 by K.R. Khan)