The Fourth National Urdu Science Congress was held at Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) Hyderabad during 8-9 February 2018. The conference successfully attracted scientists, renowned scholars of Arabic, Urdu and Persian languages, educators, writers, poets, historians, heads of institutions, science reporters and Islamic scholars. The programme commenced with Tilawat-e-Qur’ān, after which an introduction to MANUU and various activities carried out by the University under the outreach programme was given by Dr. Amina Tahseen. Then, Dr. Abid Moiz, convener of the Congress and Consultant to Centre for Promotion of Knowledge in Urdu, MANUU, explained the aims and objectives of holding the National Urdu Science Congress.
The Book Releasing Function during the Inauguration of the Fourth National Urdu Science Congress
The Chief Guest of the Congress was Dr. Shah Shamsuddin Usmani Tabrez, Principal, Emirates English Speaking School, Dubai, UAE. This added an international dimension to the Congress! The Guests of Honour were Dr. Anand Raj Verma (well-known for his three-volume tome in Hindi titled, Dastan-e-Hyderabad), former Principal, Anwar-ul-Uloom Degree College, Hyderabad and Prof. Zafar Ahsan, Department of Mathematics, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh. Dr. M.A. Sikandar, Registrar, MANUU gave the Welcome Address.
Dr. Mohammad Aslam Parvaiz, Vice Chancellor of MANUU, presented his Presidential Address. During the inaugural function, Dr. Parvaiz released an Urdu dictionary of terms in Zoology and Entomology published by the Directorate of Translation and Publication of MANUU. The dictionary was prepared by Dr. Shamsul Islam Farooqi. Dr. Parvaiz also released eight other Urdu books on different dimensions of science along with novel in Urdu. These titles were selected competitively from a large set of submissions.
The Inaugural Session concluded with the Anthem of MANUU and India’s National Anthem being played. The inaugural function was webcast live. Eighty-six papers were presented in ten sessions. The Congress, like its predecessors, attracted a huge number of participants.
The following Resolutions and Declarations were made during the Congress:
- It was suggested that an Indian Urdu Science Association may be formed. This suggestion was readily accepted and about one hundred participants spontaneously registered as members of this Association. Many more are expected to join. Its laws and by-laws are being formalised.
- The organisers will approach the University Administration to assist in publishing books that will be part of the curriculum along with glossaries and reference books.
- All the members took cognisance of the fact that of the four National Urdu Science Congresses held so far, two were held in MANUU. Also, the first National Urdu Social Science Congress was held at MANUU. After such successful endeavours, all members realised that a book be compiled consisting of all the articles presented during these Conferences.
- It was also proposed to hold the National Urdu Science Congresses across India. Representatives from Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi offered to host the Fifth National Urdu Science Congress. Representatives from Pune also offered to host the same event.
In present times, science and technology have a crucial place in our lives. They have impacted each and every aspect of our existence. They are needed for our progress and well-being. It is essential that the public needs to be aware of scientific and technological advances. Hence, it is essential that the relevant information be provided for the general public in as many languages as possible. In order to be on par with the developed nations, it is essential that the public be made aware of the importance of science. A possible way to achieve this awareness is by delivering the relevant scientific content in a simplified manner in their native language.
Urdu is one of the languages, which is spoken by millions of people across India and abroad. It is extremely essential that awareness of science be made in the Urdu language. Absence of scientific literature in Urdu is felt with severity. Doing this may be challenging but equally important. This task is not that difficult as in the recent past Urdu was the medium of scientific instruction and enquiry. We need to revive the rich heritage of Urdu in the context of scientific disciplines. A prime example in this direction is the Anjuman Farogh-e-Science (Organisation for Science Promotion, Delhi), a registered non-governmental organisation (NGO), established in 1992. The NGO works towards the promotion of sustainable development. Since 1994, it has been regularly publishing a popular science monthly magazine, Urdu Science; the only monthly popular Science and Environment monthly published in the country. The Anjuman has also held science popularisation conferences in Urdu. It organises an award giving function, recognising school students with highest scores in science subjects. This commendable effort is due to Dr. Mohammad Aslam Parvaiz, former Principal Zakir Husain Delhi College. Since 2015, Dr. Parvaiz is serving as the Vice Chancellor of the Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU), Hyderabad. MANUU is a Central University established at the national level in 1998 by an act of Parliament to promote and develop the Urdu language and to impart vocational and technical education in Urdu medium through conventional and distance modes. The headquarters of the University is at an outstanding central location-Gachibowli, Hyderabad, sprawled over 200 acres, with Satellite Campuses, Regional Centres and Sub-Regional Centres across the country.
The very First National Urdu Science Congress was organised by the Anjuman Farogh-e-Science, at Zakir Husain Delhi College, Delhi, India during 20-21 March 2015. One of the recommendations of this landmark event was to hold the Urdu Science Congress every year by rotation in different cities. Following the grand success and the recommendations of the first one, the Second National Urdu Science Congress was held during 20-21 February 2016 in Aligarh, which is home to the renowned Aligarh Muslim University. The Third National Urdu Science Congress was held at Maulana Azad National Urdu University, Hyderabad during February 16-17, 2017. Following the grand success of the three National Urdu Science Congresses, the “First National Urdu Social Science Congress” was convened during 14-15 December 2017, again at the Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU), Hyderabad.
[The writer teaches in Department of Mathematics and Sciences, College of Arts and Applied Sciences, Dhofar University, Salalah, Sultanate of Oman. [email protected]]