TUWJF move to institute awards for Urdu scribes

Hyderabad: Telangana Urdu Working Journalists Federation (TUWJF/UJF) has decided to institute three awards in honour of prominent Urdu journalists and scholars of Telangana, late Anwar Adeeb, the founder Editor of Current News, late Tabassum Fareedi, Editor of Nizamabad Times, and late Faiz Mohammed Asghar, columnist and Editor of Tabarak News. These personalities have made huge contribution to the promotion of Urdu language and worked relentlessly till their last breath.

The awards are being instituted to honour and recognise the services of senior journalists who have been associated with Urdu journalism for the last three to four decades. Despite Urdu being the second official language of Telangana, bureaucracy and red-tapism is coming in the way of its implementation. Urdu journalists, working in both Urban and Rural areas, are not getting any promised benefits that are announced for their welfare. This ill-treatment is being meted out to Urdu journalists despite the fact that they played an active role during statehood agitation.

Since the authorities are not showing any concern towards Urdu journalists, the TUWJF has decided to institute three awards to honour the senior Urdu journalists from rural areas. This is also being done to motivate and inspire the young generation.

Late Anwar Adeeb had begun his career in journalism in 1962 with the weekly newspaper Raftaar-e-Siasat. He launched Current News Service in 1969. He was also associated with leading publications including Andhra Bhoomi, Deccan Chronicle and Siasat Daily.

Late Tabassum Fareedi started his career in journalism in 1984 with Rahnuma-e-Deccan Urdu Daily. Later, he joined the Munsif Daily. He started Nizamabad Times in the year 1990.

Late Faiz Mohammed Asghar started his journalism career in 1991 from News Trust of India which was founded by Late Arifuddin Saleem. He started writing columns for Siasat Daily in 1997 and launched Tabarak News Service in 2000. He had also served as Associate Editor of monthly magazine of Telangana Government 'Tarjumaan'. He did not take any remuneration for his service for State Govt.'s Urdu magazine. Faiz Mohammed Asghar was also the founder member and Advisor of Telangana Urdu Working Journalist Federation.

The first awards will be given to three senior journalists during the training programme of Urdu journalists working in erstwhile undivided Medak district at Sangareddy on March 18. The names of recipients of awards will be announced in the next three days.