Synopsis :
Urdu stalwart Shamim Ahmed received the prestigious Mohsin-e-Urdu Award during a grand Urdu promotion seminar in Motihari, celebrating his lifetime dedication to the language’s dignity, status, and constitutional recognition.
Motihari | Qalam Times News Network
Urdu, the heart of India’s cultural tapestry, found its finest tribute when veteran language activist and social thinker Shamim Ahmed was conferred with the Mohsin-e-Urdu Award at a grand day-long Urdu Promotion Seminar, Workshop, and Mushaira held at Mahatma Gandhi Hall in Motihari. The event was organized under the directives of the Urdu Directorate, Cabinet Secretariat, Government of Bihar, and hosted by the District Urdu Language Cell, East Champaran.
The program was chaired and gracefully compered by Mohammad Haider Imam Ansari, in-charge officer of the Urdu Language Cell, who ensured the event was as engaging as it was meaningful. The hall brimmed with enthusiastic teachers, students, poets, intellectuals, clerics, and language lovers, turning the seminar into a vibrant celebration of Urdu.
A Deep Recognition of Urdu Devotion
The focal point of the event was the conferral of the Mohsin-e-Urdu Award to Shamim Ahmed, a name synonymous with relentless service to Urdu, grassroots activism, and principled advocacy for human rights. His non-governmental, non-commercial, and people-centric work—particularly his historic leadership in the campaign to secure Urdu’s status as the second official language in Bengal—was recognized as a monumental contribution to India’s linguistic landscape.
Adding literary weight to the ceremony, a remarkable book titled Sang Tarash, chronicling his life, activism, and literary mission, was also unveiled. Speakers lauded the book as a living document of one man’s silent yet steadfast struggle to preserve Urdu’s dignity, calling it both a mirror of Shamim Ahmed’s resolve and a symbol of the language’s endurance.
Language Beyond Boundaries
In his moving address, Shamim Ahmed eloquently dismantled the myth that language and religion must walk hand in hand. “Language belongs to no sect, no temple, no mosque,” he said. “It is the breath of civilization, the soul of human expression.” His reflections on the deep-rooted cultural links between Hindi and Urdu, and his recounting of the struggles in Bengal’s Urdu movement, left the audience visibly moved—some in awe, others introspective.
Scholarly Insight, Youthful Passion
The academic segment of the event showcased sharp intellect and contemporary relevance. Scholars like Dr. Mashwar Ahmed (on technology in Urdu education), Dr. Waliullah Qadri (on humanism in modern Urdu literature), Maulana Mushtaq Ahmed (on maktabs and Urdu survival), Dr. Shahid Raza (on teachers’ responsibilities), and Dr. Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed (on pedagogical challenges) presented thought-provoking papers. Veteran journalist Intizarul Haq rounded out the session with a historical survey of Urdu’s evolution in East Champaran.
What followed was a wave of youthful energy—students delivered heartfelt speeches on Urdu, education, and environmental themes, reflecting not only literary zeal but a growing social consciousness. This young brigade emerged as a beacon for Urdu’s future.
A Cultural Finale Worth Remembering
The event concluded with a vibrant mushaira that echoed the rich elegance of Urdu poetry. Esteemed poets including Tafzeel Ahmed Tafzeel, Saeed Qadri, Zafar Habibi, Azeer Anjum, Aqib Chishti, Mahboob Shabnam, Kaleemullah Kaleem, Saba Akhtar Shauq, Rafi Ahmed, and Suhail Shams mesmerized the audience with their soulful verses, giving voice to the emotional and aesthetic depths of the language.
Behind the event’s smooth execution stood the quiet but determined efforts of individuals like Ghulam Rabbani (Urdu Translator) and Azeer Anjum, whose commitment deserves special mention.
In his closing note, Mohammad Haider Imam Ansari extended heartfelt gratitude to all guests, poets, speakers, teachers, and students, expressing hope that this spirited movement for the advancement of Urdu will not just continue but grow stronger with time.
