Urdu not associated with any particular religion: Shakeel

Patna, Aug 7 (UNI) Minister of state for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shakeel Ahmad today said Urdu has nothing to do with a particular religion or group of people.

Mr Ahmad stated Urdu as a lingua franca belongs to everyone irrespective of differences.

Inaugurating a function, organised here to mark the launch of the new Urdu edition of 'Aalmi Sahara-Bihar number' news magazine, Ahmad regretted that majority of Indian media portrayed Bihar in negative sheds mainly because of its failure of good governance in the state.

The Bihar number of 'Aalmi Sahara' would prove to be a milestone in Urdu journalism highlighting the positive aspects of the state in terms of socio-ecomonic growth and rich cultural heritage.

Building Construction Minister Monazir Hasan referred to many a positive aspect of the state and urged the media to bring them to the fore more and more to ward off the general misconception among the outsiders.

However, he congratulated Sahara Urdu for a special number on Bihar highlighting various walks of life of the people of the state.

''So far as the development of Urdu in post independent India is concerned, it is not the sole responsibility with the government rather each one of us has to play equally important role in its development by adopting it at respective levels, '' he added.

UNI