Renowned Urdu scholar C.M. Naim passes away at 89
New Delhi: Professor Choudhri Mohammed Naim, one of the most respected authorities on Urdu language and South Asian studies, has passed away at the age of 89. Born in Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh, Naim was widely regarded as among the finest voices on Urdu literature, culture, and politics.
He completed his Master’s degree from Lucknow University in 1955 before moving to the United States, where he studied at the University of California, Berkeley. His academic journey culminated in a long association with the University of Chicago, where he served as Professor Emeritus of South Asian Languages and Civilisations after teaching there from 1961 to 2001. He chaired the department from 1985 to 1991.
Beyond academia, Naim was a founding editor of several journals and remained a consistent and sharp commentator on Urdu's decline in the Indian subcontinent, the region of its origin. His deep engagement with language politics never kept him from confronting political issues head-on, including the Palestinian cause, about which he wrote passionately after a visit in 1989.
Naim contributed to several prestigious institutions, serving as a consultant to the Asia Society’s Asian Literature Program in New York, and presses including Princeton University Press and the University of Chicago Press. He was also associated with organisations such as the Association for Asian Studies, the Berkeley Urdu Language Program in Pakistan, and the American Institute of Pakistan Studies.
In 2023, he published Urdu Crime Fiction, 1890–1950: An Informal History, a work that reflected his enduring connection with Urdu literary traditions.
Tributes from scholars, students, and admirers have poured in since news of his passing broke. Many recalled his wit, intellect, and his reflections on arriving in the US, moments that captured both personal and political histories.
Renowned Urdu scholar, Professor C.M. Naim, has passed away. May he rest in peace. Was honoured to call him a friend.
— Musharraf Ali Farooqi (@microMAF) July 10, 2025
Choudhri Mohammed Naim (3 June 1936 - 9 July 2025)https://t.co/TxTguI73Hd pic.twitter.com/V1kCYtC7ka
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Rickelton's ton in vain as SRH beat MI by 6 wickets
Mumbai (PTI): Ryan Rickelton's whirlwind unbeaten ton was overshadowed by Heinrich Klaasen's unbeaten 65 as Sunrisers Hyderabad defeated Mumbai Indians by six wickets in an IPL match here on Wednesday.
Chasing an imposing 244-run target, Travis Head (76 off 30) and Abhishek Sharma (45 off 24) shared 129 runs for the opening wicket to set the platform for SRH.
Klaasen (65 not out off 30 balls) then displayed his all-round hitting abilities to guide SRH home with the help of Nitish Kumar Reddy (21) and Salil Arora (30 not out off 10) in 18.4 overs.
Earlier, Rickelton's knock powered MI to 243 for five.
MI rode on a 93-run stand between Rickelton (123 not out off 55 balls) and Will Jacks (46 off 22) in 7.1 overs for the opening stand to power the side.
MI skipper Hardik Pandya scored a valuable 31 off 15 balls before being dismissed.
Praful Hinge (2/54), Eshan Malinga (1/29), Sakib Hasan (1/39) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (1/31) were the wicket-takers for SRH.
Brief Scores:
Mumbai Indian: 243 for 5 in 20 overs (Ryan Rickelton 123 not out; Praful Hinge 2/54).
Sunrisers Hyderabad: 249 for 4 in 18.4 overs (Travis Head 76, Heinrich Klaasen 65 not out; AM Ghazanfar 2/51).
