Aligarh: Various departments of study and schools at the Aligarh Muslim University organized programmes to celebrate the Bharatiya Bhasha Utsav, marking the birth anniversary of esteemed Tamil Poet Subramania Bharati.

The Department of Urdu organized a literary programme to celebrate the occasion. Prof Tariq Chhatari highlighted the integral relationship between language and script, emphasizing language's role in shaping memory.

Prof Ziaur Rehman Siddiqui highlighted the importance of celebrating the diversity of Indian languages and discussed the significance of languages in communication. Prof Shahabuddin Saquib recited a ghazal to mark the occasion. Dr Moidur Rehman read a paper on Ghalib's importance in the tradition of Urdu poetry.

In his presidential remarks, Prof Quamrul Hooda Faridi, Chairman of the department, emphasised language's emotional and social impact, highlighting its role in shaping and strengthening interpersonal relationships. He pointed out that literature serves as the quintessential example of language's effective application.

At the STS School, the celebration took place honouring the linguistic diversity and multilingual heritage of India. The event was organized to promote awareness about the importance of Indian languages and to encourage students to embrace and respect their mother tongue while at the same time focusing on learning other Indian languages as well.

Students participated in commemorative celebrations by delivering speeches in a special morning assembly, singing traditional songs and reciting poems, reflecting the beauty of India’s multilingual culture.

Several other events were held to mark the occasion, including an elocution and debate competition, a singing competition, an essay writing and painting competition and a drama presentation.

The Principal Faisal Nafis, emphasized the need to respect and cherish one’s mother tongue while learning other Indian languages to promote harmony and understanding.

The Urdu Academy organized a Mushaira presided over by the Director Prof Quamrul-Hooda Faridi. He said that languages have played an important role in the promotion of Indian civilization and culture, and Urdu has been at the forefront.

Prof Shahabuddin Saqib, Naseem Noori, Dr Abu Mohd Saleh, Prof Zia-ur-Rehman, Johnny Foster, Dr Sarwar Sajid, Dr Moid Rashidi, Meraj Nishat, Dr Sarfaraz Khalid, Dr Saddam Hussain, Sharif Khan Samir, Maryam Mukhtar recited their poetry. Dr Mushtaque Sadaf conducted the programme, while Dr Rafiuddin extended a vote of thanks.

At the Abdullah School, several literary and cultural events marked the occasion, including speeches in Hindi, English and Urdu, poster-making and slogan-writing competitions, etc. The programme was conducted under the guidance of Sarah Siddiqui with the support of Arshia Aftab.

The AMU Girls’ School organized essay writing and painting competitions in celebration of the Bhartiya Bhasha Utsav. Kulsum Haider, Baby Rajput and Nausheen Fatima won the first, second and third prizes, respectively in the essay-writing competition, while Zoya Mujahid, Palak and Zunaira were declared first, second and third in the Painting competition.

Students delivered speeches in a special assembly held to celebrate the cultural and linguistic diversity of the country.