Urdu Survey Reveals Trends

Urdu Survey in Patna

The Urdu Markaz Azimbad, Patna conducted a survey on ground realities about use of Urdu by Urdu-speaking population in the capital of Bihar where Urdu was accorded the second official language status in 1981. Though the sample survey had a slender base of only 150 families, the outcome is revealing in many ways. We present the gist of the survey:

Questions: Answers


Religious books in your house are in which script? Urdu/Arabic
Yes 77 % percent

Can you read Urdu?
Yes 87 % percent

Can you write in Urdu?
Yes77 % percent

Do you write letters in Urdu?
Yes 99 % percent

Do you receive letters in Urdu?
Yes 85 % percent

Do you write application for Govt offices in Urdu?
Yes 3 % percent

Do you read Urdu newspapers?
Yes 62 % percent

Do you purchase Urdu literary magazines?
Yes 34 % percent

Are you satisfied with teaching of Urdu in College or school?
Yes 38 % percent

Do you feel the need for an Urdu teaching centre?
Yes 94 % percent

Do you watch Urdu news on TV?
Yes 61 % percent

Do you listen to Urdu news broadcast on radio
Yes 40 % percent

Do you watch Urdu programmes on TV
Yes 61 % percent

Do you listen to Urdu programmes on Radio
Yes 38 % percent

Would you like to keep Urdu alive
Yes 86 % percent

You studied through which medium by Urdu only
Yes 25 % percent

(Remaining said they studied either through English or Hindi medium)
(Source: Daily Qaumi Awaz, New Delhi)

http://www.islamicvoice.com/may.2002/secular.htm#usp

[picture of famous Patna landmark : Golghar]

The interesting thing is that even though only 25% had their schooling in Urdu medium school still 77% can write in Urdu. This will be a lesson to people in UP and elsewhere who don't have access to Urdu medium schools they can still have their children learn Urdu.

Another important point is that even though 86% wants to keep Urdu alive only 25% help the language by buying Urdu literary magazine and only 3% writes to the government in Urdu language. At least a respectable 62% reads Urdu newspaper, I wonder how many pay for the newspaper subscription. Survey like this should be done not only in different parts of India but also Pakistan to find the trends and changes in the attitude of the Urdu speaking population. This will be useful to people who are active in the development of the language.