AMN / NEW DELHI
At a time when doomsayers question the fate of Urdu in India, the language continues to find new admirers who are taking it to new heights.
In an extraordinary feat, seasoned journalist Rohinee Singh has defied linguistic and cultural barriers by not only mastering Urdu in a few short years but also writing a book in it.
Titled “Urdu Me Mera Doosra Janam”, the book is a celebration of her journey with the language—one of discovery, passion, and deep cultural connection.
Urdu, known for its sweetness, poetic charm, and deep-rooted association with the Ganga-Jamuni civilization, has long been a bridge between communities, a language that carries the echoes of centuries-old literary and cultural traditions.
Rohinee’s achievement is not just a personal milestone but a powerful reminder of Urdu’s inclusive and unifying essence.
What makes Rohinee’s story even more compelling is her non-Urdu background. A Sikh by faith, she hails from a family that migrated from undivided Punjab and rebuilt their lives in a small town in Jharkhand.
While her grandfather was fluent in Urdu and read the Guru Granth Sahib in the script, the language faded away in her household over the generations.
But fate had other plans. Rohinee’s fascination with Urdu began with childhood memories of watching her grandfather reading in the script, and over the years, that interest turned into a deep yearning. However, learning Urdu was no easy feat.
After several failed attempts, she finally enrolled in a diploma program at The National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language (NCPUL), New Delhi, where she formally learned the language.
For Rohinee, the need to master Urdu became crucial while researching Sikh history and the life of Guru Nanak. She realized that many historical texts, manuscripts, and literary works related to Sikhism were documented in Urdu, and depending on translations was inadequate.
To access these sources in their purest form, she immersed herself in the language, embracing its lyrical cadence and rich literary heritage.
Breaking Stereotypes, Embracing Urdu
Urdu has often been mistakenly categorized as the language of the ‘other’, despite its deep ties with India’s cultural and literary fabric. Rohinee’s journey challenges this notion, proving that Urdu is not just a language but a shared cultural legacy that transcends religious and regional divides.
“Urdu is the language of love, poetry, and history. It belongs to all of us. I hope my book inspires others like me—those who once had Urdu as part of their heritage but lost touch with it over time. Learning Urdu was like finding a lost part of myself,” says Rohinee.
Her writings in the book reflect the soulful essence of Urdu—its poetic grace, its power to express the deepest emotions, and its connection to the syncretic traditions of the Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb, where languages, cultures, and faiths have flourished together for centuries.
A journalist by profession, Rohinee has worked with some of India’s top media houses, including India Today, The Indian Express, and Zee Media.
She currently writes blogs for Deutsche Welle Urdu Service (Germany), The Wire (Urdu) and opinion pieces for The Friday Times (Pakistan), establishing herself as a voice in contemporary discourse.
Her book, published by Educational Publishing House, is set to hit the stands.
With this release, she joins the ranks of those breathing new life into Urdu, proving that the language is not just surviving but thriving in the hearts of new generations.
Urdu’s story in India is far from over. It is finding new champions in unexpected places, and Rohinee Singh is one of them.
For media inquiries, interviews, or review copies, please contact:
Educational Publishing House
Phone number: 011 45678203, 45678286
For author’s interviews and further details, contact: rohinee17@gmail.com