Hyderabad: The 10th anniversary celebrations and Annual Awards of the Telangana Urdu Working Journalists’ Federation (TUWJF) concluded as a grand success at the Telangana Media Academy auditorium in Nampally. Ministers, senior government officials, journalists, editors, writers and media professionals from across Telangana attended the programme.
Minorities Welfare Minister Mohammed Azharuddin reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to addressing the issues of Urdu journalists and strengthening Urdu journalism. Moreover, he said the government would discuss issues related to the promotion of Urdu with the Chief Minister and the concerned departments.
Government Adviser Mohammed Ali Shabbir, TMREIS Vice Chairman and President Mohammed Faheemuddin Qureshi, Telangana Urdu Academy Assistant Director V. Krishna and several senior journalists attended the programme.
Azharuddin reaffirms support for Urdu journalists
Azharuddin described journalism as a noble profession. He said constructive criticism helps governments improve governance and public service. In addition, he appreciated TUWJF President M.A. Majid and General Secretary Syed Ghouse Mohiuddin for consistently raising journalists’ concerns before the government.
The Minister congratulated TUWJF on completing 10 years and extended his best wishes to the award recipients. He also assured that the government would install Urdu signboards at government offices wherever they were absent.
Shabbir Ali urges community to safeguard Urdu
Meanwhile, Government Adviser Mohammed Ali Shabbir recalled Urdu’s historic contribution to higher education and public life. He said official recognition alone could not protect the language. The community must also work to preserve and promote it.
Shabbir urged citizens and journalists to submit written representations whenever Urdu was ignored in government institutions. Further, he said the government could act against officials who failed to address genuine complaints.
He welcomed the extension of the Special Intensive Revision exercise. He also appreciated the government’s decision to introduce the Family Register Certificate. Shabbir advised families to maintain uniform names across official documents to avoid legal and administrative complications.
Earlier, TUWJF President M.A. Majid said the federation was established to safeguard the interests of Urdu journalists, raise their concerns before the government and strengthen unity among the Urdu-speaking community. According to him, an independent committee selected the award recipients to ensure transparency and fairness.
Majid also thanked the Telangana Media Academy for publishing monographs on Abid Ali Khan and Naseem Arifi. He described the initiative as an important contribution to preserving the legacy of Urdu journalism.
TUWJF honours journalists at annual awards
The federation honoured Naveed Bilal, Hafiz M. Qayyum, Imtiaz Khan, Afzal Khan, Ejaz Ahmed Khan, Abdul Ahad Siddiqui and Ayesha Batool with citations, shawls, mementoes and cash awards of ₹10,000 each. Besides this, it felicitated senior media personalities Aziz Ahmed, Umar Draz Khan, Dr Fazal Hussain Parvez, Amar Devulapalli and Miskeen Ahmed for their contribution to Urdu journalism.
Senior journalist Osman Rashid felicitated Mohammed Azharuddin and Mohammed Ali Shabbir during the programme. TUWJF Vice President Jilani said Urdu belongs to all communities and acknowledged the contribution of non-Muslims to its growth.
Amar Devulapalli recalled his admiration for Urdu and the poetry of Mirza Ghalib. Meanwhile, Miskeen Ahmed urged the government to introduce Urdu signboards on all state-run buses in addition to government offices.
Sajida Begum (Sana) conducted the programme. Mohammed Amjad Ali recited verses from the Holy Quran, Sheikh Rafiuddin Asif presented Hamd and Naat, and Abdul Muqtadir Sharfi offered the concluding prayers.
Organisers said TUWJF would continue working for the welfare of Urdu journalists while promoting the language and strengthening coordination between the media fraternity and the government.