Ganderbal, Nov 09: The Department of Urdu, Central University of Kashmir (CUK) Monday celebrated Urdu Day to commemorate the birth anniversary of the ‘Poet of the East’, Sir Muhammad Iqbal, with Vice Chancellor, ProfMehrajud Din Mir in the chair.

Director Research and Development, Prof G M Bhat, Registrar, Prof M Afzal Zargar, Director Arts Campus, ProfWali Muhammad Shah, Controller of Examinations, ProfParveenPandit, Finance Officer, ProfFayaz A Nikka, Dean School of Languages, Prof Gayasuddin, faculty members and scholars were present on the occasion.

The programme began with the recitation of Holy Quran by Mr. Muhammad YounisThokar and Na’atSharief by Assistant Professor, DrAltaf Hussain Naqshbandi.

Welcoming the guests, Dean School of Languages, ProfGayasuddin gave a detailed account about the functioning of the Urdu department. He said the department has been organizing several academic activities and webinars during the COVID-19 pandemic and celebration of Urdu day was one among them.

Vice Chancellor, ProfMehrajud Din Mir hailed the department of Urdu for organizing the event to mark the Urdu day. He said the department has been doing a commendable job in imparting quality education to the students pursuing the post graduate and research programmes and asked them to continuously work with the same zeal and zest. Prof Mehrajud Din Mir asked the faculty members to reach out to the students studying in colleges and higher secondary institutions in order to create awareness among them about the Urdu language.

Registrar, Prof M Afzal Zargar also complimented the Department for celebrating the Urdu day and assured full support and cooperation to the faculty members for holding other academic activities. 

The keynote address was delivered by Prof Abbas Raza Nayyar, Head Department of Urdu, Lucknow University. Prof Abbas traced the history of Urdu language and its usage in different countries across the world. He said the Urdu language does not belong to any particular religion, which can be gauged from the fact that several poets from other religions, have written poetry and prose in Urdu.

Sr. Assistant Prof Dr Rashid Azeez conducted the programme proceedings while as Associate Prof Irfan Alam proposed the vote of thanks.