Hyderabad: Need to preserve Urdu manuscripts stressed

Hyderabad: Urdu language scholars emphasised the need for decoding thousands of manuscripts preserved in the government institutions for understanding history and language transformation, particularly of Deccan so that the rich legacy is passed on to the next generations.

While delivering his keynote address on the first day of 2-day International Conference being organised at OU College for Women (Koti) marking the 53rd death anniversary of Mir Osman Ali Khan (the last of the Nizams), Prof Taqi Abedi, renowned critic and poet based in Canada called upon the younger generation to take up research and decode thousands of manuscripts in Persian and Urdu available at the government institutions. Citing the instance of fire accident almost 70 years back in OU, he bemoaned that in 1952 a treasure-trove of thousands of manuscripts was lost in thin air. He also referred to the quote of the then Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi who lamented the loss of thousands of manuscripts by terming it as 'darkest day'.

While emphasising the role of last two of the Asafjahi rulers in educating the masses, he said it was after several decades after some of the educational institutions already started rendering services in 19th century, the idea of establishing a University in Hyderabad came up. A team of experts were sent to study top Universities in Europe and later with global standards Osmania University was founded by investing Rs 40 lakh. "Unlike north India, the structures were built with amalgamation of local and Islamic style, as emphasised by the rulers of the time, who were proponents of ganga-jamuni tehzeeb," he explained.

Maharaja Kishen Pershad an epitome of simplicity

Abedi said that the two-time Prime Minister of the then Hyderabad State, Kishen Pershad wrote more than 60 books in different languages including Urdu, Sanskrit and even Persian. "Upon his insistence Fani Badayuni (Shaukat Ali Khan), a famous poet was given post of headmaster in a school. Kishen Prasad was persistent and sure about Badayuni's capability. Hence, he dashed a handwritten letter putting straight his word," he added.

Poets like Allama Iqbal found the Prime Minister to be simple being, with high values.

"Whenever we remember Mir Osman Ali Khan, we should also remember the services of Kishan Prasad," he added.

Prof A Roja Rani, Principal, College for Women, lauded the services of the Nizam VII whose contribution to education and other sectors were immense. "He set a great example, without whom, the City would not have existed," she said.

Prof S A Majeed Bedar, former HoD of OU, Prof S A Shukoor, HoD, Department of Urdu Nizam College, Mohd Nazeer Ahmed, HoD (Urdu), OUCW, Dr Syed Abdul Mohaimin Quadri Laoubali, Director Hazrat Haadi-e-Deccan Library & Research Institute and others spoke on the occasion. Assistant Professor, Dr Syeda Naseem Sultana, convened the programme.