At 82, Urdu keeps him going

Divya Sharma

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, July 19

For octogenarian Chaman Lal Chaman, retired Army Havildar, Urdu is a lifeline. At the age of 82, he has been teaching the language to residents at the office of the District Language Department.

The department has been offering free Urdu classes in the city. Chaman, who learnt it in the pre-Partition era, has some fond memories of the language. He says, “At that time, Urdu was an important language. I remember studying it with my Muslim friends. In fact, I still feel my job in Army was due to this language.” He feels that it is his passion that brings him here whenever the classes are conducted. “I used to teach in the Army. Now, teaching is a part and parcel of my life. I cannot live without being a teacher. It gives me pleasure even at the age of 82.”

For Chaman, age is just a number. One must always be ready to take new challenges in life, he says. Not only Chaman is putting all his efforts but he has a unique class which comprises both of old and young alike.

District Language Officer Bhupinder Singh Mattu said, “We have been offering free Urdu classes for long. We also have a wide range of books available here at the office.”

Gurinder Kaur, retired professor of Khalsa College, says, “I have developed liking for it as I am into ghazals.”

Balbir Singh, a senior citizen, says, “I started learning through YouTube. Later, I came to know that classes are being held here. Attending classes here is a great experience.”