Manmohan Singh says Urdu is a symbol of Ganga-Jamni culture

New Delhi: Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday turned poet to extol the beauty and appeal of Urdu language, as he underlined that it symbolised the syncretic culture of India and all citizens should do something to ensure that it flourishes.

He was addressing a gathering at the launch of senior Congress leader Ashwani Kumar’s book Ehsas-o-Izhar at an event here, which was attended by a galaxy of eminent people from various walks of life.

“It is a symbol of ‘Ganga-Jamni tehzeeb’ (syncretic culture)...The presence of such eminent people in such large numbers is a proof that Urdu is living langauge. We all must do something for it,” Mr Singh said.

Known for his brevity in speech, Mr Singh made a short address, but his mix of trenchant Urdu poetry drew loud applause from the audience.

“Hazaron jawabon se achhi hai khamoshi meri, na jaane kitne jawabon ki aabru rakh li (My silence is better than a thousand answers, it has saved the honour of many questions),” he said.

Former vice-president Hamid Ansari launched the book and presented the first copy to the former Prime Minister in the presence of former CJI T.S. Thakur, who spoke in chaste Urdu, equated its cultural richness with Taj Mahal.