Hyderabad: Telangana Minorities Welfare Minister Mohammed Azharuddin on Friday said resolving journalists’ issues and strengthening Urdu journalism remain priorities for the state government. He also assured that shortcomings related to the promotion of Urdu would be addressed through discussions with the Chief Minister and the concerned departments.
Speaking at the 10th Annual Awards Ceremony organised by the Telangana Urdu Working Journalists Federation (TUWJF) at the Telangana Media Academy auditorium in Nampally, Azharuddin described journalism as a noble profession and said journalists occupy a respected place in society. He said constructive criticism helps governments improve governance and public service.
The minister appreciated TUWJF President M.A. Majid for consistently representing journalists’ concerns before the government. He congratulated the federation for organising the programme and extended his best wishes to all award recipients. Azharuddin also assured that efforts would be made to ensure Urdu signboards at government offices across the state wherever they are absent.
Government Urges Action to Protect Urdu and Support Journalists
Government Adviser Mohammed Ali Shabbir said he was honoured to have become a minister at the age of 31 and recalled the historic contribution of Urdu to higher education. He noted that before Independence, eminent leaders, including former Chief Minister M. Chenna Reddy, earned academic qualifications through Urdu at Osmania University, reflecting the language’s rich heritage.
Acknowledging concerns over the neglect of Urdu in some government institutions, Shabbir urged citizens and journalists to submit written representations to the concerned officials instead of limiting their grievances to public statements. He said the government could take action against officials who fail to respond to legitimate complaints.
Shabbir also welcomed the extension of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise and appreciated the state government’s decision to issue permanent residence certificates to eligible ration card holders. He further advised families not to change a bride’s name in the Nikahnama if it differs from her Aadhaar card or educational certificates, saying such discrepancies often create 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. He said the federation works selflessly for media professionals and stressed that governments should remain accountable and responsive to public concerns.
Majid clarified that award recipients are selected by an independent committee to ensure transparency and fairness. He also thanked the Telangana Media Academy for publishing monographs on renowned journalist Abid Ali Khan and senior journalist Naseem Arifi, describing the initiative as an important contribution to preserving the legacy of Urdu journalism.
The ceremony honoured journalists including Naveed Bilal, Hafiz M. Qayyum, Imtiaz Khan, Afzal Khan, Ejaz Ahmed Khan, Abdul Hadi Siddiqui, and Ayesha Batool with citations, shawls, mementoes, and cash awards of ₹10,000 each. Senior media personalities Aziz Ahmed, Umar Draz Khan, Dr Fazal Hussain Parvez, Amar Devulapalli, and Maskeen Ahmed were also felicitated for their contributions to Urdu journalism.
Senior journalist Osman Rashid felicitated Mohammed Azharuddin and Mohammed Ali Shabbir during the programme.
Speaking on the occasion, TUWJF Vice President Jilani said Urdu belongs to all communities and acknowledged the significant contribution of non Muslims to the language’s development. Senior journalist Amar Devulapalli spoke about his lifelong admiration for Urdu and recalled how his father regularly recited the poetry of Mirza Ghalib. Veteran journalist Maskeen Ahmed urged the government to introduce Urdu signboards not only in government offices but also on all state run buses.
The programme was conducted by Sajida Begum (Sana). Mohammed Amjad Ali recited verses from the Holy Quran, while Sheikh Rafiuddin Asif presented Hamd and Naat. The event concluded with prayers by Abdul Muqtadir Sharfi.
A large number of journalists, editors, writers, and media professionals from Hyderabad and various districts attended the function. Organisers reiterated that TUWJF would continue working for the welfare of Urdu journalists while promoting the language and strengthening coordination between the media fraternity and the government.
