Delhi Govt committed to work for development of Urdu: Sisodia

TNN Bureau. Updated: 1/15/2019 8:09:48 PM National

New Delhi, Jan 15 (UNI) The Governing Council of Urdu Academy and Delhi government met on Tuesday under the chair of Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Art, Culture and Languages, Manish Sisodia to discuss various issues pertaining to the promotion of Urdu language and functioning of the Academy including programmes, scholarships, publications and budget.

The Council discussed a number of issues and took major decisions to promote and upgrade Urdu language.

Chairing the Governing Council, Mr Sisodia said,'The Urdu Academy has done very well in the last year, thinking out of the box with Heritage Festival, Programmes in memory of Kaifi Azmi, Tom Alter

etc. Delhi government is committed to working for the development of Urdu.'

'In the next year we are focussing on grassroot level work for the language including increasing budgets and ensuring quality implementation of programmes. There is a need to revisit all schemes and come up with new ideas. We have to take Urdu to more people. Why should Urdu centres be limited to certain areas. If there is a centre in Okhla there should be one in Greater Kailash. We are also going to take knowledge in Urdu to more people through translation that will not only enrich academic discourse but also challenge fake news by providing historic evidence,' he said.

The governing council took important major decisions like--budget increase for Urdu Literacy Centres and improvement of scheme.

The Deputy CM observed that while the Urdu Academy has been running 127 literacy centres, they are in dire need of improvement. He ordered a review of the entire scheme. A committee shall be set up to look into the scheme and recommend improvements.

The governing council decided to improve the content, design as well as circulation of academies' publications specially the magazines for Children - Umang and Aiwan - e - Urdu. The remuneration for contributing to publications of the Urdu academy has also been increased.

It was also decided that it is critical that the magazines are not only improved but the academy should also look into their circulation and innovate ways to increase readership.

Considering that a lot of good literature and other writing in Urdu remains unread by people who do not read Urdu, it was decided that select historic works be translated by the Urdu Academy.

Mr Sisodia also suggested that old Urdu newspaper be translated and shared in the public domain.

'Increase Urdu Certificate Course Centre from 8 to 50 in different parts of the city to promote the language and take it to people interested in the language,' he said.

'Increase in fee/honorarium to paper writers, poets, story writers, experts etc engaged by Urdu Academy. Prize Money for Urdu Toppers from secondary to M Phil level doubled/ tripled. Prize Money for Urdu Certificate course tripled from 100,' he said.

'Finalisation of names and increase in amount for Monthly Financial Assistance to needy Writers, Poets, Journalists. Announcement of prestigious awards by Urdu Academy. The prize money

has also been increased substantially,' Mr Sisodia said.


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