Hyderabad: International meet on Persian begins

Hyderabad: "Contribution of Women in Promotion of Persian Language matches her men counterpart. In fact, the medieval India has also seen a foray of women laureates who left indelible footprints on the canvas of Persian language and literature. Eminent Persian Scholar," said Professor Azarmi Dukht Safavi, Advisor, Persian Research Institute, Aligarh Muslim University, expressed these views at Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) on Wednesday.

He was delivering the keynote address in the inaugural of International Conference "The Contribution of Women in Promotion of Persian Language, Literature, Science, Art, Culture and Civilization" being organised by Department of Persian, MANUU in collaboration with National Council for Promotion Urdu Language, New Delhi.

Professor Ayub Khan, the In-charge Vice-Chancellor, presided over the meet. Professor Safavi regretted that women did not get due recognition for their contribution in the field of literature. Referring to the women laureates of Medieval India, she named Rabia, Razia Sultana, Maham Begum, Gulbadan Begum, Jana Begum, Noor Jahan from Deccan Mahlaqa Bai Chanda etc. Prof Safavi described Gulbadan Begum, who wrote Humayun Nama, as the first woman historiographer of India.

Maulana Mohammed Raheemuddin Ansari, the Chairman of Telangana Urdu Academy, in his address as guest of honour, acknowledged that contribution of women in every sphere of life is undeniable. Prof Ayub Khan in his presidential remarks appreciated the topic of the conference which helps in understanding the women's contribution. In any given case, women often play her role better than men, he quipped.