Voice of Urdu

Voice of Urdu – وائس آف اردو

Voice of Urdu(™) (VOU) is an international news website and media initiative managed by Axis Softmedia Inc. and its digital agency arm, Axis Review – The Broadcasting Media. Headquartered in Mumbai, India, the platform caters to a diverse global audience with bilingual coverage in both English and Urdu, making it one of the few portals in South Asia to deliver parallel content across languages.

Voice of Urdu provides comprehensive reporting on global affairs, regional developments, literature, and cultural topics, with a focus on accuracy, accessibility, and inclusivity. The platform has gained particular recognition in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region for its coverage of Middle Eastern and South Asian current affairs.

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Slogan

Global Voices, Local Perspectives

VOU Podcast Slogan

International Broadcasting Media

History and Origins

Voice of Urdu was founded by Syed Manzar Hasan Zaidi, Founder and CEO of Axis Softmedia Inc., in alignment with the company’s vision of advancing multilingual digital publishing.

The domain name http://www.voiceofurdu.com was registered on 3 July 2008.

In 2010, “Voice of Urdu” was officially registered with the Registrar of Newspapers for India (RNI) under Registration No. MAHURD02197 for a monthly print magazine.

From 2012, the official Voice of Urdu YouTube channel began broadcasting literary talks, cultural discussions, poetry, and interviews.

By 2017, VOU transitioned fully into digital and audiovisual publishing.

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Founder Profile

Syed Manzar Hasan Zaidi

Founder & CEO of Axis Softmedia Inc.

Software Scientist • Urdu Publishing Pioneer • Font Developer

Syed Manzar Hasan Zaidi, born in Mumbai, India, is a renowned software scientist and entrepreneur. He is the creator of the Manzar Typesetting Tool, a revolutionary plugin for Adobe InDesign that modernized Perso-Arabic publishing.

His contributions include:

Urdu fonts for InPage (1994)

Unicode broadcasting systems

Nastaliq & Naskh fonts

Quran publishing systems

Perso-Arabic plugins for Adobe InDesign

سید منظر حسن زیدی

بانی اور سی ای او ایکسیس سافٹ میڈیا سافٹ ویئر سائنسدان • اردو پبلشنگ کے موجد • خطاطی اور فونٹڈیولپر

سید منظر حسن زیدی، ممبئی (ہند) میں پیدا ہوئے۔ آپ ایک ممتاز ماہرِ سافٹ ویئر اور کامیاب بزنس مین ہیں۔ آپنے اردو طباعت کو ڈیجیٹل دنیا میں نئی پہچان دی۔ آپ کی تخلیقات میں انپیج کے لئے اردو فونٹس (۱۹۹۴)، یونیکوڈ سسٹم، نستعلیق اور نسخ فونٹس، قرآن پبلشنگ سسٹم اور ایڈوب ان ڈیزائن کے لئے پلگ ان شامل ہیں۔

Official Website :

https://syedmanzar.com/

Leadership

Haider Hasan Zaidi serves as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Voice of Urdu. He also leads Axis Review – The Broadcasting Media, which manages the digital portfolio of VOU.

Haider Hasan is also the founder of Haider’s Showbiz , a digital OTT platform established in 2019 that produces talk shows, interviews, and educational videos. Haider’s Showbiz is now an associated channel of Voice of Urdu, serving as its exclusive in-house streaming partner. Together, the platforms target millennials and Gen-Z audiences with engaging and relevant content.

Trademarks(™)

The name Voice of Urdu is trademarked under Axis Softmedia Inc.

Word Mark: VOICE OF URDU

Application Number: 7076279

Class: 41

Application Date: 21/06/2025

Proprietor: Axis Softmedia Inc. (axissoftmedia.com)

Used Since: 03/07/2008

Disclaimer:

Voice of Urdu has no connection with any other portals, websites, or YouTube channels claiming to operate under a similar name. The official Voice of Urdu is exclusively managed by Axis Softmedia Inc.

In an affidavit filed under the Trade Marks Act, 1999, Manzar Hasan Zaidi declared himself as the prior and continuous user of the mark “Voice of Urdu” since 2008, with domain, RNI registration, and digital media use as proof. The affidavit also opposed a third-party’s attempt (Application No. 6730047 dated 27 Nov 2024) to register the same mark.

Axis Softmedia Inc. holds the exclusive trademark rights over “Voice of Urdu.”

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Platform and Programming

Website: https://www.voiceofurdu.com

YouTube: Voice of Urdu Official Channel:  https://www.youtube.com/@VoiceofUrdu

WhatsApp Channel: Join Here https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbAw8tUKgsNybholGY2F

Telegram Network: Join Here https://t.me/voiceofurdu

VOU Podcast

Voice of Urdu also presents the VOU Podcast on YouTube (link), a digital series focusing on:

Global Affairs

Israel-Iran Conflict

West Asia Politics

Youth Movements

Regional & South Asian Issues

Each episode provides in-depth analysis. Topics include corruption, geopolitics, education technology, and cultural trends.

Managed By,

Axis Review(™) – The Broadcasting Media

Digital agency managing VOU’s marketing, PR, and collaborations.

Website: axisreview.com

Associated Platform

2: Haider’s Showbiz(™)

OTT and YouTube platform featuring celebrity interviews, motivational talks, and socio-cultural programs.

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Powered By: Manzar Typesetting Tool

Manzar.in  provides the Perso-Arabic Typesetting Plugin for Adobe InDesign, a pioneering software for Urdu, Arabic, and Farsi publishing. The official powering partner of VOU Podcast, providing Perso-Arabic publishing software for Adobe InDesign 2025.

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VOU Credits

Founder & MD: Syed Manzar Hasan Zaidi (Axis Softmedia Inc.)

COO & Research Analyst: Haider Hasan Syed

VOU Correspondents: Mudeer & Rekhta

Video Editor: Anas Imran

Sound Engineer: Sahil

Managed by: Axis Review – The Broadcasting Media

Associate Channel Partner: Haider’s Showbiz

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Freelance Correspondent Program

Voice of Urdu proudly initiates this programme to open doors for independent and freelance journalism.

It is designed for individuals from any background – media or non-media – who wish to contribute to global news coverage and be a voice for the voiceless.

Vision:

“To be a voice for the voiceless and empower global citizens to report fearlessly.”

How It Works:

Anyone (media or non-media background) can apply.

Contributors may submit **news articles, opinion pieces, or video reports.

All submissions are reviewed internally by the editorial team and once approved, are published under the contributor’s name, profile, and designation as ‘VOU Freelance Correspondent’ along with their country tag.

Each correspondent receives a digital ID card upon onboarding.Inactivity for over 3 months may result in ID suspension  ➝ To reactivate, the correspondent must provide a valid clarification for inactivity.

To Apply:

Email your resume/profile to:

[email protected] /

[email protected]

(Subject: VOU Freelance Correspondent Application)

⚖️ Disclaimer & Code of Conduct

This initiative is a goodwill programme by Voice of Urdu.

We do not offer monetary payment for publication. The platform is provided free of cost, as a podium to showcase your voice, share your perspective globally, and gain exclusive access to the media world.

This is a social and moral support initiative, not a paid employment opportunity.

Misuse of the Voice of Urdu name, logo, or brand identity in any form for personal, political, or commercial motives will lead to blacklisting and may result in strict legal consequences.

Dormant / inactive members are not entertained simply for namesake association.

➝ We encourage only genuine, active contributors who are serious about journalism and society.

Compliance Note

> This programme is monitored very closely by the Voice of Urdu Compliance Team. Any misleading claims, misuse of credentials, or misrepresentation of this freelance role will not be tolerated. Applicants are advised to understand clearly that this is not a “job” but a voluntary freelance journalism initiative. Only those willing to contribute actively and responsibly are invited to join.

Kaniz Fatima (Compliance Head)

Contact & Social

Head Office:

Voice of Urdu – وائس آف اردو

103-T Vaishali Apartment, B Wing, Sethi Moti Shah Road, Mazagaon, Mumbai, Maharashtra – 400010

Website: voiceofurdu.com

Email: [email protected]

YouTube: https://voiceofurdu.com/

WhatsApp Channel:  https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbAw8tUKgsNybholGY2F

Telegram: Join Our Network : https://t.me/voiceofurdu

External Links

Hi, Now you can find Voice of Urdu on

Links

Website

http://voiceofurdu.com/

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/VoiceofUrdu

Twitter

https://x.com/VoiceofUrdu

LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/company/voiceofurdu

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/voiceofurdu.in/

Contact info

Email ID

[email protected]

Channel Overview

VOU Podcast(™) – International Broadcasting Media

The VOU Podcast, presented by Voice of Urdu, is your trusted window into global affairs, socio-political shifts, and regional insights. With fearless journalism, deep analysis, and timely discussions, we uncover stories that matter.

As an International Broadcasting Media initiative, the VOU Podcast features exclusive correspondent reports, special interviews, and analytical episodes covering Middle East conflicts, South Asian politics, youth-led uprisings, and diplomatic transformations worldwide.

Subscribe | Watch | Reflect | Be the Voice.

No.​VOU Podcast – Date of Broadcast​Featured Promotion​Ref Link

https://www.youtube.com/@VoiceofUrdu/videos

Example

01  ₹2 Crore Defamation Suit | Aryaan Khan | Ba***ds of Bollywood | Voice of Urdu Premiered Sep 28, 2025  Powered By: Manzar Typesetting Tool  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMCcUF-MBpU&t=66s

(Watch Here)

After the chart add

Achievements of Axis Softmedia INC

https://www.axissoftmedia.com/achievements

Celebrating Our Milestones

Fakhar -e- Urdu Award

13 Dec 2019

- Most prestigious awards for the Urdu Community in Mumbai, granted by the Urdu Carvan Mumbai, India

Out Standing Innovation Award

29 Jan 2016

- Maeeshat Media Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai, India in recognition to his work on Ali Nastaliq honoured him with Out Standing Innovation Award 2015. M. Q. Syed (Director, EXHICON GROUP) handed over the award on behalf of the Maeeshat Media.

NABA Award

15 Aug 2015

- NABA Quran Academy, Mumbai, India in recognition to his work on digital Quranic calligraphy honoured him with NABA Award. Maulana Azadar Khan (Director NABA) handed over the award on behalf of the Naba society.

Momento of Appreciation

10 Sep 2013

- BhindiBazaar.asia, a literary forum, conferred Special Award for his dedication, commitments,devotion for Urdu Language is highly commendable, which has immensely helped in the promotion, protection, preservation and progress of Urdu Language. Mr. Saeed Hameed (Chief Editor) handed over the momento.

Promotion and Digitization of Urdu Language

17 Jul 2012

- Maharashtra State Urdu Sahitya Academy, a government headed literary forum, conferred Special Award for his promotion and digitization of Urdu language. Honourable Chief Minister of Maharashtra Mr. Prithviraj Chavan handed over the award.

Digital Calligraphy Award

08 Apr 2012

- Unique Educational Society in Mumbra, Thane district, Maharashtra, India conferred on him Digital Calligraphy Award for his contribution to digitize Urdu script. He was honoured by Nationalist Congress Party MLA, Jitendra Awhad on behalf of the society.

Mohammad Ali Johar Urdu Computing Award

11 Mar 2012

- Abu Huraira Model School Society, Firozabad, UP, India in recognition to his work on Digital Urdu Calligraphy honoured him with Moulana Mohammad Ali Johar Urdu Computing Award. Dr Noor Mohammad, IAS (Indian Administrative Service) handed over the award on behalf of the society.

Excellence in Urdu Computing

01 May 2009

- Syed Manzar received an award underlining his achievements and excellence in Urdu computing at a function felicitating people of high repute in the field of art and language by Pasbaan-e-fun - an organization of artists, calligraphers and painters, for his contribution in Urdu printing technology in the textile town of Maharashtra, Malegaon. They recognized the services of Urdu Fonts, calligraphic fonts developed by Syed Manzar and his small team of researchers. The new fonts, especially Faiz Nastaliq and Manzar Indo-Pak Naskh, were greatly appreciated by the eminent judges on the panel.