PU VC constitutes Nafaz-e-Urdu Committee
Oriental College a cradle of Urdu language and literature
VC PU, delegates from Iran, India, Japan and Turkey present papers at
international seminar on Maulana Muhammad Hussain Azad

LAHORE : (Wednesday, January 20, 2010): Punjab University Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Mujahid Kamran has said that in view of the ever increasing prices of books, the Punjab University is actively considering to publish low price books on a variety of subjects, through the University Printing Press, for the consumption of students community.

He was addressing the inaugural session of a two day international “Azad Sadi” seminar held on the eve of 100 th death anniversary of the renowned Urdu prose writer, Maulana Muhammad Hussain Azad at the Sheerani Hall of Oriental College here today, which was attended by prominent literary figures, intellectuals and men of letters from within the country and abroad including foreign delegates from India, Japan, Iran and Turkey.

The Vice-Chancellor said the provision of books at economical prices to students would help them study books other than those included in their academic curriculum to enhance their understanding of the world and life. He impressed upon the students to improve their habit of reading for widening their knowledge and information. Unless they foster a love for reading and work hard, they cannot improve their mental and creative faculties, he added. It is regrettable that today our MA pass students cannot write a single paragraph in Urdu without the inclusion of English words. Lauding the singular services of the Oriental College , the Vice-Chancellor remarked during its 140 years existence, it has served as a cradle of Urdu in this part of the world, producing numerous great masters of Urdu language. Referring to the renowned Urdu critic Prof Dr Khawaja Muhammad Zakriya, Urdu scholar Dr Muhammad Aslam Farkhi and famous columnist and Urdu poet Mr. Amjad Islam Amjad, who were present there, he said they were following glorious traditions of promoting Urdu language and literature. He said the Punjab University is also organizing a seminar in connection with the 133 rd birthday of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah on January 22 at Punjab University New Campus, which would be addressed by leading politicians for students' exposure to the vision and thoughts of the father of the nation. Dr Mujahid Kamran also commended and congratulated the Oriental College Principal and the staff for organizing successful historic celebrations to pay a befitting tribute to Maulana Azad. Later, the Vice-Chancellor also performed the launching ceremony of five books published by the Oriental College as part of the international seminar comprising manuscripts of Maulana Azad, Azad dictionary, a research journal, taaraf nama comprising prose extracts from Maulana Azad writing and Intikhab-e-Azad by Dr Aslam Farkhi.

Earlier, Chairman Urdu Department Prof Dr Tehseen Firaqi, presenting the welcome address, paid glowing tributes to the great Urdu writer Maulana Muhammad Hussain Azad for his multifaceted contributions to Urdu prose and literature, adding that his unique magical prose writing style would not be forgotten even by generations to come. He also especially thanked the Vice-Chancellor for liberally providing them funds for organizing the Seminar, which manifested his love for promotion of knowledge and education. Prof Dr Mazhar Moeen gave the historical details of the Oriental College and its 19 principals since its establishment in 1870. Earlier, Dr Muhammad Aslam Farkhi, in his keynote address, gave a comprehensive life sketch of Maulana Azad, including his extra ordinary literary services. Prof Dr Muhammad Saleem Mazhar underlined the overriding need for using Urdu language as medium of instructions in educational institutions but also for superior services examination. He said towards this end, the Vice-Chancellor has already constituted Nafaz-e-Urdu Committee. Later, Dr Abu Al-Kalam Qasmi and Dr Asghar Abbas (India), Soyamane Yasir (Japan), Mr. Muhammad Ikram Chughtai, Dr Rubina Tareen, Dr Muhammad Fakhar-ul-Haq Noori, Agha Salman Baqar, Dr Rauf Parekh, Dr Moeen-ud-Din Aqil, Dr Asghar Bayat (Iran), Dr Qazi Abid, Mobeen Mirza, Dr M Saleem Mazhar, Dr Aurangzeb Alamgir and Dr Aziz Ibn-e-Al-Hassan, presented their papers on the life and literary services of Maulana M Hussain Azad.