Farooq Abdullah asks youth to strive towards acquiring education
Inaugurates 23rd all India Urdu Book Fair at KU
Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Party president Dr Farooq Abdullah on Saturday inaugurated 23rd All India Urdu Book Fair (Kul Hind Urdu Mela) organised by National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language (NCPUL) at University of Kashmir.
Farooq, who was the chief guest on the occasion, visited 51 stalls being erected by book sellers from across the country. Books on various subjects from all across the country have been put on display for the readers.
In his address, Farooq said that there was a kind of “communal mentality that is spreading a malicious propaganda about Urdu language”.
“Urdu has never belonged to a particular sect or faith. Urdu is a representative language of Ganga-Jammuni Tahzeeb of India. The language has been watered by both Hindus and Muslims. The existence of Urdu language owes a lot to Munshi Prem Chand and others,” he said.
He said that the “scathing rise of communalism in the country is taking toll on the language”.
“Today we see homogeneity being forced on our country that has always been known for its diversity. This, I believe is one of the diminishing factors of Urdu from our day to day lives,” Farooq added.
Farooq welcomed the initiative of NCPUL for coming up the annual fair.
“Events like these provide a window of opportunity for those who have a penchant for Urdu literature. Such festivals and fairs will surely acquaint the new generation about the contemporary happening in the field of Urdu literature,” he said.
He also underscored the need giving equal respect to local languages.
“Learning to speak in ones mother language is very essential for a child’s overall development. Being fluent in other languages helps a child in many ways”. Farooq said that it was “imperative for a government to provide patronage to all the languages of the state.”
“The contemporary youth should strive towards getting education. It is the education that holds the panacea for all the problems.”
Among others, Vice Chancellor University of Kashmir, Prof Talat Ahmad, Registrar, Prof Nisar Ahmad Mir, Director NCPUL, Dr Sheikh Nida were also present on the occasion.
