National Urdu Conference held at NUML

A one-day National Urdu Conference on the topic of “Globalisation and Future of Urdu Language” was held at National University of Modern Language (NUML) Islamabad on Wednesday.

The conference was arranged by the Department of Urdu Language and Literature in which renowned scholars and veteran academicians from different universities presented their scholastic views on the topic.

Renowned playwright Dr Asghar Nadeem Syed was the chief guest while Dr Anwaar Ahmed was the guest of honour in the opening ceremony of the conference. The conference was also attended by NUML Rector Maj Gen (r) Masood Hasan, Director General (DG) Brig Azam Jamal, Dr Roubina Shahnaz, Head of Urdu Department, Urdu scholars, academicians, Heads, Deans and students of the different department of the University.

Speaking at the occasion, Dr Ashgar Nadeem Syed said there were number of myths and misconceptions regarding globalization and its impact on the languages, cultures and societies of the world.

He said globalisation was a centuries old process of labour migration, academic exchanges, technology transfer, trade and sharing of systems and philosophies. The same threats and impact were there for Chinese, Japanese, German and Malaysians but they were still growing and developing since they had learnt how to employ and mould benefits of globalisation in the interest of their languages, he added.

Quoting the findings of a study, Dr Syed said we were the nation which was least exposed to globalization due to certain reasons. He said that there was no threat to Urdu language from globalisation rather we ourselves were responsible for decline of Urdu in the country. He said today parents wanted to send their children in a school where medium of instruction was English.

“Our writers didn’t want to write in Urdu and prefer to write in English as it earned them handsome amount of money. Lastly, our sensibility was not being developed in Urdu which was another reason that taking us away from our national language,” he added.

University of Gujrat (Sialkot Campus) Director General Dr Anwaar Ahmed said there was nothing to be afraid of technology and modern changes rather adopt themselves to these changes to keep one abreast with the world. He said the Urdu speakers should not be apologetic rather had an attitude and ability to learn and share the pleasure of learning and it would guard the language you cherish to speak and write.

DG Brig Azam Jamal in his welcome address said that holding and continuing an academic dialogue was a proof of a vigilant and alert mind. The number of scholars, academicians and guests attending today’s Conference was a proof of concerns and endeavors for the promotion of national language and identity.