Well, Hindi language has as good as died in India post Independence. Urdu schools, newspapers, magazines, books and other sources have dwindled and closed down. There are no children to study in these schools and since not many know how to read and write Hindi, Urdu, the newspapers too shut down.
Any language is known by its speakers. With the crass trend of knowing only English that has overtaken other regional languages, hindi has been crushed in India. Surprisingly, Urdu was spoken by Hindu, Sikhs and Muslims alike pre Independence. It was not the language of Muslims alone and I feel shouldn’t be identified with Muslims alone.
But today, even Muslims will hardly claim to read and write it. Shocking to say, Urdu is one of the 22 scheduled languages of India but still lacks social and literary status. It is still the official language of five states(UP, Bihar, AP, Chhattisgarh and New Delhi). In Indian administered Kashmir, it is the primary official language.
Although Delhi, Lucknow, Hyderabad have a sizeable population of Urdu speakers, the language hasn’t shown any appreciative increase in its speakers. That should speak volumes in why the language is being given step-motherly treatment by its own kins. And what the Government is doing for Urdu language is worth sending an RTI.
Fikar not. Although the matter is of grave concern, help is at hand. ETV hindi is performing a yeoman’s service in this regard. If you know Hindi, Urdu is easy to understand as both languages are spoken similarly.
Urdu/Hindi is the fourth most spoken language in the world after Mandarin, English and Spanish.
Urdu is the most poetic language and Bollywood would vouch for it. Actors are advised to know the nuances of the language to perfect their diction. Ghalib’s shairi is on everyone’s lips for quoting even though most may not know the true meaning.
I accidentally chanced upon ETV Hindi just to savour something new. I don’t know how to read and write Urdu and I understand it since I know Hindi and watch Hindi movies. I should thank God for that for I would have missed on ETV Hindi, which is doing great service to its viewers and serving the language itself.
It is interesting to know ETV Hindi is owned by Media baron Ramoji Rao. It was launched on 15 August 2001. It is the first Urdu Language channel on ETV Network. They felt the need to showcase this rich language catering to the needs of its speakers. It relays programs 24x7.
The channel is targeting Pakistan and is available in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, UAE, USA and UK. Main programming includes game shows, debates on culturally and socially relevant subjects, dramas, news, religious and other infotainment programs. Credit for making it a niche channel should go to S.P. Singh, Rajesh Raina, Aarif Moin and Fahim Raza, who have been continuously improving the quality of programs.
What is good about the channel? Well, it is not competing or imitating other upwardly mobile English language crass channels. The news readers read the news without pretending to be entertainers or jugglers. They are not there in designer suits or speaking in high funda tongue. They don’t look self-important nor too serious intellectuals. They are there as news readers. And this is absolutely refreshing.
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