Urdu University’s seminar on “Writings of women and Writings on women in Urdu” today

Hyderabad, October 16:

Centre for Urdu language, Literature and Culture of Maulana Azad National Urdu University, Hyderabad is organizing a two day national seminar on “Writings of women and writings on women in Urdu” on 16th and 17th October. The seminar will be held at 10 a.m. at the Auditorium of Dept. of Distance Education of Urdu University at its campus at Gachi Bowli, Hyderabad. Padmashree Jeelani Bano, a well known Urdu fiction writer will be the chief guest. Prof. Mohammed Miyan, Vice Chancellor of Urdu University will preside over the seminar. Prof Shahnaz Nabi, Head of the Dept., of Urdu of Kolkatta University will deliver key note address. Ms. Jeelani Bano and other participants will presents their papers.

The topic of the second session is “Concept of Woman in folk literature and Dakhani Urdu literature”. It will be presided over by Prof. Syeda Jaffer and Prof. Fatima Parveen (former Heads of the Dept. of Urdu of Osmania University).

The third session would be presided over by Prof. Ashraf Rafi, former Head of the Dept., of Urdu of Osmania University and Dr. Rakshanda Jaleel.

A cultural programme is organized at 6.30 p.m. today which includes Mushaira of the Urdu poetesses and a short story recitation session.

In the programme on the second day of the seminar (i.e. 17th October) fourth session will be held on “Urdu Fiction and Feminism”. It will be presided over by Ms. Tarannum Riya and Dr. Haleema Firdaus.

Dr. Arjumand Ara and Prof. Rehana Sultana, Head of Dept., of Women’s Studies of Urdu University will preside over the fifth session.

The valedictory session will be held at the Auditorium of Center for Professional Development of Urdu Medium Teachers of the Urdu University at 3 p.m. tomorrow. Ms. Udesh Rani Bawa, of Dept. of Urdu of National Council for Educational Research and Training will be the guest of honour. Prof. Mohammed Miyan, Vice Chancellor of Maulana Azad National Urdu University will preside over the valedictory function.

Prof. Khalid Sayeed, Organizing Secretary of the seminar and incharge Director of Centre for Urdu Language, Literature and Culture of Maulana Azad National Urdu University will present the report of the seminar.

source: http://www.siasat.com / The Siasat Daily / Home> Hyderabad / Tuesday, October 16th, 2012

Ancient Urdu manuscripts decay in AP State Archives

Hyderabad: 

The deteriorating condition of archival material at the AP State Archives and Research Institute (SARI) is now taking a toll on scholars. A recent case in point is that of Prof Y Vaikuntum, former vice-chancellor of Kakatiya University, who became unconscious allegedly after handling some old stinking documents last week. The incident has yet again brought to the fore the government's disposition in allowing the old records, mostly documents on paper, to rot in neglect.

The SARI is considered one of the biggest repositories in India with its Urdu and Persian documents exceeding 50 million in number. Its pride is the unbroken chain of administrative records from the year 1724. The oldest document in its possession dates backto early 15th century. A primary source for works on Hyderabad and the Deccan in general, the archives have to make to do with an annual budget of Rs 20 lakh not including staff salaries. In addition to the severe fund crunch the staffing pattern is also bothersome. Of the 186 cadre strength only 86 positions are occupied. Vacancies exist in all the 10 sections of the archives of which four sections deal with records. The binding and preservation sections which play a crucial role in the preseveration of fragile time-worn documents are severely short-staffed.

The government had early this year agreed for a digitization project of the archives. The one-year project was sanctioned at a cost of Rs 2 crore. Funds to the tune of Rs 50 lakh were released for quarter at the start of the financial year but work on the ambitious project hasn't begun yet. According to sources, the government is yet to finalize the terms of the tender to fix an agency to carry out the work. The duration of the project is one year. The digitization project was sanctioned as a conservation measure that could also make information easily accessible.

When Vaikuntum was contacted regarding his loosing consciousness while handling materials at the archive on September 14, he surmised that the repositories are treasures in neglect. "The incident happened when I was handling some documents in the afternoon. I felt uneasy and became unconscious for a couple of minutes. Comprehensive medical tests were carried out on me to rule out any medical problem," he said. He also complained of infection and unpleasant odour in the repository and following the incident the archive authorities have taken up fumigation of a few documents that are to be handled by Vaikuntum and his team.

Vaikuntum was awarded the Tagore National Fellowship for Cultural Research for 2012-14 and is associated with the state archives for his work title "Regionalizing Oriental Culture: Ideas, Landscapes and Hyderabad State" which deals with the effect of cultural influence that Nizam and the British had on each other.

Noted historian and founder director of the archives, V K Bawa said that more interest should be shown by the government towards history and culture. "I am told that the budget allocated is insufficient. The neglect of archives is however not restricted to Hyderabad. The NationalArchives should consider sending an officer to examine the present condition and chart a course of action," he said.

Officials of the state archives maintained that the incident may not have happened due to the records but admitted that staff and fund shortage was affecting the quality of service being provided to the scholars. "The incident may have happened due to many other factors. We have written to the government on many occasions asking for additional funds and staff. Facilities like centralized air conditioning to better preserve the documents which are common in western countries, are required but they are expensive. The government is not willing to spend that kind of money," said a senior official.

Another official said that recently plaster on the ceiling, where the staff in the repository sit, fell creating panic among the employees. No maintenance work at the repository and other parts of the building has been carried out for a long time, he said.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> City> Hyderabad / by Rohit P S, TNN / September 18th, 2012