What language media, regional press need to do: For Urdu newspapers too, original reports from ground are the key for impact, survival

Shams Ur Rehman Alavi

If a language newspaper carries news that is available elsewhere too, then there is no uniqueness. 

It is seen as just translation of news available from other sources. 

In today's world, that's no longer not enough, it shows lack of imagination and if you run a established regional media group with a legacy, you are doing grave injustice to your own capabilities.

Language media or regional press doesn't mean carrying the same story that is reproduced in every other outlet, in your own language. Of course, when you pick up papers, most of the stories would be similar but ONE or TWO unique stories are necessary. 

Regional media or language press i.e. newspapers in states or the papers in other languages are not just supposed to carry the news which people are already getting from other sources, TV, social media and mobiles. 

They must have certain other strong points--either should be known good network in that area or for their exhaustive ground reports. This is important to understand because those consuming your work, are doing it just because of a habit.

You can't catch next generation or create impact, if you don't have a difference. Or if you have certain things that only you can provide them. As far as Urdu media is concerned, it is even more important, because it caters to a particular section. 

People are already getting stories from links that are shared on Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp. They also get stories from TV, internet and Mobile Apps. Unfortunately, many established Urdu media groups and seasoned journalists ignore this aspect and the change that's coming fast.

It is by 'doing stories, coming out with fresh, original and interesting reports, breaking stories or even data based insights, little known facts, that they can get huge mileage. It helps in building a brand, which is necessary.

Not only this is the way to gain credibility, you can present yourself as expert of the region or at least a particular area, community or section. And also its make others [non-Urdu media] acknowledge your work, its importance or even follow it. 

The fixation with 'Views' hurts the Urdu media. VIEWS are important but NEWS is foremost. You are upset with others reporting biased news. Fine. You can simply go to field, report from the ground, change the news narrative completely. 

If you come up with fresh insight, a new angle, a better follow up the next day, then they'll be forced to carry your reports, give you credit, which will enhance your reputation and strengthen your voice. Also, in city or state, your group will gain credibility. At least, people will know that these are established groups. 

There are dozens of ways to get your media house or newspaper attain prominence without spending much amount. Some points I have mentioned in an article earlier. I hope to write it in a few posts in future.

[Photograph is just for representational purpose. It shows Acharya Pramod Krishnam reading popular Urdu daily, Sahafat]

Multi-edition Urdu papers now printing in remote corners of country: Urdu newspapers in Gangtok,Guwahati

Shams Ur Rehman Alavi

Once it was unthinkable that an Urdu daily would be published from a city in a state like Sikkim.

But today Urdu papers are being published from Gangtok (Sikkim) and Guwahati (Assam).

Taasir is a newspaper that is published from ten cities that include Patna, Muzaffarpur, Bhagalpur, Ranchi, Howrah, Bangalore and even down South, Chennai.

This is a new trend as multi-edition Urdu newspapers are now publishing from cities that were not considered 'Urdu cities'. Roznama Sahara has nine editions and the other major newspaper is Inquilab that has even more editions.

Inquilab focuses more on UP and Bihar. Apart from Delhi and Mumbai, its editions are in Lucknow, Varanasi, Meerut, Aligarh, Bareilli, Gorakhpur, Allahabad and Kanpur in UP. The other editions include Patna, Muzaffarpur and Bhagalpur. In all, it has 13 editions.

It is an interesting aspect that major Urdu papers are now getting published from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. That not just Allahabad, Banaras, Aligarh and Gorakhpur or Meerut, but Muzaffarpur, Bhagalpur and Saharanpur have Urdu paper(s), is quite heartening.

Sahara has nine editions that include Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Bengaluru, Patna, Gorakhpur and Kanpur.

Earlier, In Dinon was probably the first paper that was published from many big and small cities across the country.

Today, it has these editions--It is now published from New Delhi, Jaipur, Lucknow, Saharanpur, Patna, Mumbai and Bangalore.

There are umpteen papers in states and are published from different sets of cities. For example, Saeban is published from Delhi and the two major state capitals, Patna and Bhopal.

Qaumi Muqaam is published from Allahabad, Chitrakoot, Mirzapur, Raipur and Lucknow. Urdu Action from Burhanpur and Bhopal. Similarly, there are several papers with editions in Jharkhand-Bihar and West Bengal, the Eastern part of India.

And, papers that are published from different cities in Karnataka apart from Hyderabad like Salar and Siasat. Salar is published from Bengaluru, Hubli and Kalaburgi (Gulbarga). Siasat too has an edition in Bangalore.

However, reaching cities down South and North East is important. The papers also need to publish from Western part of the country, particularly, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Konkan belt, though Mumbai is a big centre.

READ: List and links of Urdu daily, weekly newspapers in India

[Shams Ur Rehman Alavi, is a journalist for more than two decades. He had started his career with National Mail in the nineties. Later, he worked as Special Correspondent with Hindustan Times, also as an Assistant Editor with DB Post, subsequently Metro Editor with Absolute India, Contributing Editor with The Huffington Post. He has written for First Post, The Wire, Newsd & several other major publications.]

Urdu newspapers flourish in Bihar: Several prominent Urdu papers published from Patna

Shams Ur Rehman Alavi

Bihar has been a citadel of Urdu for ages.

The state has more Urdu readers than many of the North Indian states.

In fact, Patna has nearly a dozen major Urdu papers published from the city.

The photograph [Courtesy Mahtab Alam sahab] on the left shows many papers.

While many Urdu speakers in Uttar Pradesh had a superiority complex in terms of Urdu and felt that they were guardians of the zabaan, truth is that Bihar has been more fertile for Urdu, post-independence. Though I am a 'UP-ite', but it's a fact and we must accept it.

These are the Urdu newspapers published from Patna, the capital of Bihar. You can find the major papers like Qaumi Tanzeem, Taseer, Inquilab, Pindar, Jasarat-e-Bihar, Farooqui Tanzeem, Ameen, Pyari Urdu, Hamara Samaj, Sangam and Awami News.

There are some other papers too published from Bihar. Akhbar-e-Mashriq has an edition too.

Bihar had thousands of Urdu schools till a few decades back and still there are Urdu schools across the state though UP performs badly on this count.

In the last two decades, Urdu journalism has seen a revival. Though Urdu papers were strong in Hyderabad, Telangana [earlier Andhra Pradesh], Karnataka, Maharashtra and Kashmir, the situation once again improved in North India.

In Delhi and UP, there are many big newspapers now. West Bengal and Jharkhand too has several Urdu papers.

However, the situation in Madhya Pradesh is not as good, as the traditional newspapers haven't kept themselves updated with technological advancements.

Among big states, Rajasthan and Gujarat don't have Urdu newspapers though almost all the states from JK, Punjab in the North to Tamil Nadu in the South, have Urdu publications.

IMPORTANT LINK:

LIST OF MAJOR URDU NEWSPAPERS AVAILABLE ONLINE IN INDIA: CLICK TO READ

Revolution in digital presence of Urdu newspapers in India: Over 50 Urdu newspapers from India alone on internet now

One of the oldest Urdu newspapers in the country, the Mumbai-based 'Roznama Hindustan', has also launched its internet edition.

Hindustan is now its 78th year. Along with Urdu Times and Inquilab, it has been an important voice of Muslims in Maharashtra and Western India.

An interesting aspect about this website is that ti also has the feature of 'live streaming' i.e. videos of news [and events].

The aim is that people who don't read Urdu but can understand it, will be catered through the audio-visual medium, and they can listen to Urdu news from the website, said Sarfaraz Aarzoo, the editor of the newspaper, at the website launch programme recently.

Among the 70 Urdu papers in India that are online, at least, 50 of these newspapers [including a couple of tri-weekly, weekly and fortnightly periodical papers], are well-circulated newspapers with substantial readership and their internet presence is adding to their brand.

Around 20-odd publications don't have good circulation but have websites. Anyhow, this is no mean achievement as till just a few years ago, Urdu newspapers lacked as far as modernisation and internet presence was concerned.

Now, Urdu dailies rival the other languages in the country, in terms of number of papers that are on web, and also the diverse layouts and presentation on their sites. Hindustan's website also has the children's and literary supplements online, and the readers away from Mumbai, can access the paper easily.

Let's stop being pessimistic about Urdu

It is good to see positive news emerging about Urdu. Let's stop talking in a depressing tone about Urdu. In fact, the most revolutionary changes are coming in the language in recent years. Those who are doing it should be praised and it should inspire others to take action, rather, than sitting and expressing sorrow.

From the oldest newspapers of Delhi like Milap, Pratap and Punjab's Hind Samachar, newspapers from all the major Urdu publishing centres viz. Srinagar, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Patna, Aurangabad, Ranchi, Bengaluru, Kolkata, are now available online.

Who had imagined till sometime ago that even cities like Beed (Maharashtra) would have Urdu newspaper, in print and also on web? If newspapers from Pakistan are added, the list will get too long. There are also Urdu papers published from Europe and America.

Here is an old list of Urdu newspapers that have websites. It doesn't have all the names though. A more comprehensive list is available at this LINK. But it also doesn't have all the newspapers published online in India. As far the Hindustan's website is concerned, it is available at www.thdlive.com and www.thehindustandaily.com

Holi Mubarak: How the Urdu newspaper celebrates Holi on the front page

See the front page of the Urdu newspaper on the left.

The masthead is quite colourful. It reflects the mood of the day.

Holi is the festival of colours, and the top part of the paper, is tastefully designed, with the message, 'Holi Mubarak'. The Sunday edition too has multiple photographs, with reports about traditions of Holi in different regions.

Apart from photographs, there are articles too on Holi, in other Urdu newspapers. An overwhelming majority of readers of these Urdu newspapers are Muslims. This is true for most papers, except, those in Punjab, Delhi and J&K.

Many national English newspapers don't bother to wish readers on Eid-ul-Fitr of Eid-uz-Zuha, despite the fact that they have substantial Muslim readers. In the case of vernacular papers too, you find it quite common.

In states, where due to hawkers' pressures, papers are shut on Id, they do mention about 'chhutti', that the paper won't be printed on the day. However, these things matter a lot. We have a shared culture and it is our tradition to be inclusive.

That's what Indian-ness is all about. Isn't it. Now three links on the Holi day for you. Spare a few minutes. I am sure, most of you would be astonished.

1. Holi as Eid-e-Gulabi [Pink Eid] in an Urdu Nazm that places Prophet Muhammad in a distinct Indian cultural milieu. Abida Parveen renders it in 'Raqs-e-Bismil' album. "Hori hor rahi hai Ahmad jiyo ke dwaar....Hazrat Ali ka rang bano hai, Hasan Husain khilaar....."Listen at this LINK

2. How Sufis, Mughal kings and Muslims on the street play Holi. Read, 'Holi, a shared colourful heritage of Hindus, Muslims ' at this LINK

3. Listen this amazing 'Thumri' (sung by Sardari Begum) that was penned by Nawab Wajid Ali Shah [Awadh].  LINK

'Read And Buy Urdu Newspaper' campaign succeeds in Delhi: Will you subscribe an Urdu paper now?

Activists selling Urdu paper to policeman Subash Chand

It was heartening to see the recent campaign in Delhi that aimed at popularizing Urdu newspapers and urging readers to buy them.

Almost 1,500-2,000 Urdu newspapers were sold at the spot in a matter of few hours. This is a positive step as it shows activism on part of the Urdu-speaking populace.

Rather than keeping expectations from the governments, it's the job of the speakers of a language to take care of it. That Urdu lovers hit the street is definitely a welcome sign.

Daily Sahafat's Mohammad Anjum reported that the campaign was launched at the gate of Jama Masjid. The organisation members marched to Matia Mahal and adjoining areas for the 'Akhbar Faroshi Tehreek'.

Clearly, the success of this drive shows that there is no lack of readers if the newspapers have quality and content. Activists representing various fields had gathered after reciting 'fatiha' at the grave of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, and began approaching traders and citizens, urging them to buy the Urdu newspapers.

The Urdu lovers were asked to support these papers and make it a habit to buy papers rather than borrow it from a neighbour or a shop owner. The activists stressed on the fact that Urdu papers' existence is vital, as they raise issues concerning Muslim population apart from creating awareness among minorities.

International Human Rights Protection Association (IHRPA) head Shameem Ahmad, Head of Department (Urdu) Dayal Singh College Dr Maula Bakhsh, editor Andaleeb daily M Mustaqeem Khan, poet Shoaib Raza Fatmi, Dr MR Qasmi, Sahafat bureau chief Dr Mumtaz Alam Rizvi, journalists representing Akhbar-e-Nau, Hamara Samaj were part of the drive.

Earlier, activists have sold Urdu papers like Azad Hind and Akhbar-e-Mashriq in similar fashion in Muslim pockets in Kolkata in the past. The fact that governments don't give enough attention to either civic issues or other problems that are written about in Urdu papers should be a cause of concern, said speakers.

The participants in the drive urged people to buy Urdu papers so that it sends a clear message to Centre and State governments that the language is alive. The fact is that over the years, Urdu journalism has made fast strides in India, particularly, since late 90s.

After the launch of Roznama Sahara, the multi-edition Sahafat, Aag, new papers in Hyderabad and J&K, Urdu newspapers are now visible though they aren't reaching readers in far-flung colonies and new areas due to lack of proper distribution network.

Now the papers are attractive and also carry kids' and women's sections though there is still lack of adequate cartoon strips. Children are drawn towards papers due to cartoons and editors of the Urdu papers must realise this important aspect.


For years Urdu papers have focused on politics and neglected children. Few papers have daily cartoon strips. They must strike chord with the young generation, particularly, teenagers and kids. Besides, proper attention should be given to on-spot reporting, career guidance, sports and women's issues.

Most Urdu papers are now on the internet and this also shows the change sweeping across Urdu journalism in India. If you are a Urdu speaker, subscribe an Urdu paper. This will be your biggest service to your mother tongue. Will you do that?

[Photo courtesy Urdu daily Sahafat, Delhi]

Reporting Romance in Urdu papers

Urdu is considered more suitable for expressing love. After all, the Urdu poets for centuries have been writing about 'ishq' and 'mohabbat'. The Urdu newspapers have a slightly different character and the reports about elopements are published quite prominently.

Headlines like 'Ishq mein giraftaar, aashnaa ke saath faraar' (Girl in love, runs away with youth) are quite common to see. Though such news items are read with great interest by readers in Hindi and other regional languages also, the Urdu vocabulary makes it a bit more eye-catching and often humrous.

Recently, I read a comprehensive report of a love affair between a 15-year-old girl of Mumbai and a 22 year old youth in a Urdu daily. The girl had called the youth at her place but when he reached to the window of her fifth floor house, she got scared probably due to the family members who were around her and he fell down from that height.

The guy was seriously injured and is in hospital. And this is not all. A case of theft attempt was also made against him. Undoubtedly it is one of the most comprehensive report you can ever read in any newspaper about the 'aashiqana bahaduri' (courage or foolhardiness of the lover, whatever you call it).

The story is that the girl had written a letter to the youth and told her to enter her room through the window. He did the same but the girl got unnerved and the youth had to suffer terrible consequences. He is in hospital with broken bones and also termed a thief.

The headline of the news was quite long: "Mahbooba se milne ke ishtiyaaq mein paanchvi manzil par chaDhne vaala naujavaan neeche gir kar zakhmi". And if this was not enough, the sub-headline was spread over five lines with a big font. The news was of course too long, with all details and at least had 750 words.

The poor aashiq must have been thinking that:

yeh ishq nahiiN aasaan....
ek buland imaarat hai aur kuud ke jaana hai
haddi tudvaa ke aana hai aur phir khabaroN meN bhii chhaa jaana hai....

Readers do expect good coverge to such a valiant effort. Scaling fifth floor is not an easy task. The report is surely interesting. Have you read it? Meanwhile, I had written a post when gunshots were fired in Najeebabad after a mushaira when two groups had an argument over the understanding of a couplet. Do read that also.

[Photo: Just the headline and sub-headline of the news]

Nehru's newspapers Qaumi Awaz, National Herald shut down in Congress regime

On April 1, Qaumi Awaz, the Urdu daily from national capital, New Delhi, which was founded by India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, brought out its last copy.

The masthead, the photo of which is shown on the top left, will be remembered for a long time. Till its last day of publication, the words :"Baani: Jawaharlal Nehru" (encircled in red for those who can't read Urdu)", were printed in the same manner.

National Herald has also closed down. The papers were earlier published from Lucknow and nearly a decade back, the Lucknow edition was closed Pandit Nehru, the great visionary, and founder of modern India, had established these papers.

Ironically, the newspapers closed despite all possible resistance and the fact that Qaumi Awaz still used to sell and had a good circulation though there was no money.

And it all happened when Congress-led UPA is in the office and Sonia Gandhi's intervention would have saved the papers.

The English daily could also have been revived (Qaumi Awaz was doing well). But the Congress leadership preferred to look askance though they had a responsibility also. The party is not short of funds. Forever I will miss the newspaper that was once largely circulated in entire North India.


The last day of the National Herald editorial titled 'Herald hopes for a better tomorrow". This newspaper was founded in September 1938 and after 70 years, closed down.

The papers could have been given to private hands, which could have run them efficiently. Many people were interested in running Qaumi Awaz and restart its Lucknow edition, specially in view of Roznama Sahara's success.

Even today one could get Qaumi Awaz' late city edition in most Indian cities that reached in the evening. Employees have been given VRS and the era of National Herald, Qaumi Awaz, Navjivan, has gone.

Today BJP, which always needed a mainstream English daily, has acquired a newspaper after years of effort (The Pioneer) to propogate its policies and the Congress simply lost its established papers. The Hindi version Navjeevan was closed long ago. But who could have convinced the party! They have lost UP but can anybody put sense in their head.

I still remember it was once used to be published from Mumbai and Hyderabad also. And had tremendous circulation in Awadh. Qaumi Awaz, the nationalist voice, that got revived under Mohan Chiraghi's stint as editor, ultimately became history.

Nehru's dreams had died long ago. His papers also died. Alas!

[The other photo shows Qaumi Awaz (encircled) on the newspaper stands]

List of online Urdu Newspapers, news websites and Urdu institutions, academies in India

Shams Ur Rehman Alavi

India has a vibrant Urdu press and these newspapers are published from almost all the regions.

Urdu media has a unique nationwide presence. It is the sole Indian language that has mass circulated dailies in all parts of the country--North, South, East and West.

Apart from Delhi, which is a major centre, Lucknow, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Patna, Ranchi, Bangalore, Bhopal and Sri Nagar are other centres that boast of several Urdu papers.

In Southern India, particularly, Deccan region in Telangana, the five main papers are Siasat, Munsif, Etemaad, Rahnuma E Deccan and Roznama Sahara. Apart from metros,  the papers are purblished from cities ranging from Aurangabad to Kanpur, Jalandhar to Allahabad, Bhagalpur to Ujjain, Bidar to Raipur, Siliguri to Asansol, Gorakhpur to Azamgarh, Urdu papers are now being published from most of the important cities.

Top Ten major newspapers: Best Urdu Newspapers' Websites

1. Roznama Rashtriya Sahara, Delhi
2. Siasat, Hyderabad
3. Urdu Times, Mumbai
4. Aag, Lucknow
5. Sahafat, Lucknow
6. Akhbar-e-Mashriq, Calcutta
7. Munsif, Hyderabad
8. Salar, Bangalore
9. Inquilab, Mumbai
10. Etemaad, Hyderabad

Important newspapers published from Patna, Ranchi, Mumbai and Sri Nagar include:

11. Mumbai Urdu News
12. Qaumi Tanzeem
13. Avadhnama
14. Rahnuma E Deccan
15. Srinagar Times
16. Taseer
17. Hind Samachar
18. Hamara Samaj
19. Urdu Action, Bhopal
20. In Dinon

While Roznama Sahara is now published from ten centres, Inquilab has expanded in UP and has more than a dozen editions in Maharashtra, UP and Bihar. Both websites also have epapers. Inquilab now has a paywall.

21. Aurangabad Times

22. Milap, Delhi
23. Pratap, Delhi
24. Asia Express
25. Taemeer News


MORE URDU NEWSPAPERS AND WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS

26. GAWAH, Urdu weekly
27. Pindar Urdu daily, Bihar
28. Rehbar Urdu weekly
29. Srinagar News
30. Daily Tameel E Irshad Urdu

31. Hindustan Express
32. Sahil Online, Bhatkal
33. Kashmir Uzma
34. Roznama Udaan
35. Dawat 

LEADING WEB PORTALS

36. The Wire Urdu is the leading Urdu news portal
37. Millat Times, an important Urdu portal
38. Qaumi Awaz, the online version of the paper started by Jawaharlal Nehru
39. Baseerat, online Urdu portal

MAJOR URDU NEWSPAPERS FROM JAMMU AND KASHMIR

40. Roshni daily newspaper
41. Aftab daily newspaper
42. Uqab daily newspaper
43. Kashmir Uzma daily newspaper
44. Chattan Urdu daily paper

LEADING NEWSPAPERS WEBSITE, NEWS AGENCIES

45. News18 Urdu WEBSITE 
46. Maeeshat WEBSITE
47. UNI Urdu News Service NEWS AGENCY

48. Qaumi Khabrein daily newspaper
49. Farooqui Tanzeem daily newspaper
50. Siyasi Ufuque daily newspaper

51. Sada E Ansari Weekly daily newspaper
52. Hind News daily newspaper
53. Nida E Mashriq  daily newspaper
54. Sada-e-Hussaini daily newspaper
55. Daur-e-Jadeed daily newspaper

56. Sahafi-e-Deccan
57. Daily Vyeth
58. Zamini Sach
59. Qindeel Online
60. The Freelancer 

WEB NEWS MEDIA AND MORE NEWSPAPER SITES

61. Shahar-e-Nishat, Kolkata
62. Mazameen
63. Fikr-o-Khabar
64. Mera Watan
65. Sach, Jammu

IMPORTANT PORTALS, NEWS WEBSITES

66. Saher News

67. Urdu Duniya

68. Al Hilal Media

69. Urduleaks

70. Jahan-e-Urdu

71. Tech in Urdu

72. Rabta Times

73. Nauroz Weekly

74. Jadeed Markaz Weekly

75. Huda Times

76. Siyasat Jadid, Kanpur

Press Information Bureau, Government of India in Urdu

This is not a complete list. Many other Indian Urdu newspapers too have websites on the net. This is no mean feat. It shows that Urdu press is eager to adapt itself to new technology and is ahead of many other important regional languages that have barely a couple of papers on the net.

While major papers now have editions from Jharkhand [Ranchi] and Uttarakhand [Dehradun-based Sahafat], several parts including Madhya Pradesh have few online papers. Gujarat and Rajasthan depended on Delhi or Mumbai based Urdu newspapers.

But In Dinon has launched Jaipur edition also. It is also published from Bangalore, Saharanpur, New Delhi, Lucknow, Panta and Mumbai. Urdu Action has Bhopal and Burhanpur editions [MP]. In Jammu and Kashmir, where Urdu has a strong readership, there are many newspapers.

But the daily Udaan and Kashmri Uzma have impressive web presence. Certain traditional and influential papers like Bangalore's Pasban, Bhopal's Nadeem, popular Kolkata papers Azad Hind and Aabshaar do not have web presence.

Cities with highest Urdu newspaper registrations in India: Readership in Cities

Delhi being the national capital accounts for highest number. The top ten cities in the list include Delhi, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Kanpur, Mumbai, Patna, Jammu, Srinagar, Bengaluru, Kolkata.

The serial-wise list includes Saharanpur, Ludhiana, Rampur, Nashik, Moradabad, Jalandhar, Allahabad, Bhopal, Bareilly, Amritsar, Aurangabad, Aligarh, Dehradun, Fatehpur, Chennai, Meerut, Firozpur and Nizamabad.

Lucknow, Delhi, Hyderabad, Patna, Kanpur, Srinagar, Jammu, Bhopal, Ranchi, Mumbai and Kolkata are among the top cities in terms of circulation and readership of Urdu newspapers in India, now.

IMPORTANT NEWSPAPERS OF PAKISTAN 

Jang
Nawa-i-Waqt
Express
Jasarat
Roznama Jehan Pakistan

Urdu Times USA, America

Websites on Urdu poetry and Literature [Shaayri-Adab]

1. Best Ghazals and Nazms [Urdu, Hindi, Roman scripts]
2. Urdu Point [Urdu script]
3. Urdu Life [Read and listen poetry. Urdu/Roman scripts]
4. Urdu Poetry [Roman script]
5. Urdu India [Literature News, Poetry]

Of course, for reading books, you can go to Rekhta.
Though there are several other websites too, now that have option to download books or read them online. Some Urdu Akademis* [academies] also have done well, lately.

[Most of the Urdu newspapers in India didn't have websites till a few years ago. When this list was first compiled, there were barely half-a-dozen papers. But computerization began fast in the last couple of years. Recently many papers have started online editions. There are many other websites on Urdu shayari that you can find elsewhere also. The list here is my personal selection]

READ: Urdu newspapers flourish in Bihar, multiple papers published from Patna


Among the major Urdu newspapers of India are:

Roznama Sahara [Delhi, Lucknow, Kolkata, Kanpur, Gorakhpur, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Patna, Kolkata], Sahafat [Delhi, Lucknow, Dehradun and Mumbai], Hindustan Express [Delhi], Akhbar-e-Mashriq, Aabshaar, Azad Hind, Akkas [Kolkata], Aag [Lucknow], Qaumi Khabrein [Lucknow], Nadeem [Bhopal], Urdu Action [Bhopal], Inquilab [Delhi, Mumbai, Lucknow, Patna, Varanasi, Meerut, Bareilly, Aligarh, Muzaffarpur, Bhagalpur, Kanpur, Allahabad], Urdu Times, Hindustan [Mumbai], Siasat, Munsif, Rahnuma-e-Deccan, Etemad [Hyderabad], Milap, Hind Samachar [Jalandhar, Punjab], Pasban, Salar [Bangalore] and Musalman [Chennai].

Weekly papers like Nasheman, Nai Dunia, Gawah, Dawat and also have a strong readership and impact other than circulation. Urdu papers are also doing well in Kashmir. Besides, there are several Urdu news channels.

More Urdu links from India: Central and State govt Urdu institutions, websites

1. E-books from National Council for Promotion of Urdu language
2. Urdu Academy Delhi
3. Urdu Academy Telangana
4. Urdu Academy, Bihar
5. Urdu Academy, Madhya Pradesh
6. Urdu Academy, West Bengal
7. Urdu Academy, Haryana
8. Urdu Academy, Punjab
9. National Open School, Lessons in URDU
10. MANUU, Urdu University, Hyderabad

Anjuman Taraqqi Urdu Hind
Hamari Zaban

Urdu news channels in India

1. News 18 Urdu
2. Alami Sahara
3. Munsif
4. DD Urdu 
5. 4TV News
6. Zee Salaam
7. Siasat TV
8. Gulistan News

Several other religious and local news channels in Urdu are also available in India.

List of Urdu literary magazines [To be updated]

Shugoofa satirical and humrous magazine
Bachchon Ki Duniya and Fikr O Tahqeeq
Aiwan E Urdu and Umang

READ: Multi edition newspapers printing from remote corners of India, Guwahati to Gangtok

State of Urdu newspapers in India & Etemaad's website

The website of newly launched Urdu daily Etemaad is impressive. Though difficult to find the site because of the spelling of etemaad. www.etemaaddaily.com

It is among the best Urdu sites I have seen. Like Hindustan Times and Times of India website, it also brings to you the entire page in the form of epaper on the screen.

Truly Hyderabad has remained the fortress of Urdu in India. While papers in Uttar Pradesh have seen a great decline lately, Lucknow has seen a growth in circulation, particularly since Rashtriya Sahara Urdu was launched.

The Lucknow edition of Sahafat is doing well. Also, Indian Express' local Urdu daily "Qaumi Khabrein' is beautifully printed and is an eight-page standard newspaper.

Apart from this 2-3 other papers like Eqdaam, Waris-e-Urdu etc are being published but none of these papers are available on net. The Mumbai newspapers Urdu Times, Hindustan and Inquilab are doing reasonably well.

 Mumbai is thus another citadel of Urdu journalism. Situation in Karnataka where Salaar and Pasban are old newspapers and West Bengal where Kolkata has Akkas, Azad Hind among the main newspapers, is not very rosy though.

In Madhya Pradesh Urdu Action's Bhopal and Burhanpur editions are the saving grace. Famous Urdu daily Nadeem that is now in its 70th year is a dying institution sadly. Though Muslims easily switched to Hindi newspapers in Rajasthan, parts of UP, MP and Bihar, the 95% Hindu-Sikh Punjab still has the mass circulated Hind Samachar.

Though its circulation figures have dropped to less than 50,000 in recent years. However, it faces no immediate threat because the sister publications in Hindi and Punjabi are earning profit. The group is named after it and the owners have an emotional bond with this paper.

Hind Samachar remains the only newspaper in Urdu that is published on glossy paper. In Bihar and Jharkhand a few newspapers are carrying the tradition. The popular paper in this region is Qaumi Tanzeem apart from Akhbar-i-Mashriq.

Hope remains from Jammu and Kashmir the sole state with Urdu as state language in India. Many newspapers are published and circulated fairly well. Delhi has Qaumi Awaz, Rashtriya Sahara and a few other newspapers. The old papers like Milap, Pratap that are still read by the elderly Hindu-Sikh.