ISLAMABAD - "death of the prominent Urdu scholar, the head of Urdu department of the Oriental and African Studies in UK, Professor Ralph Russel is a huge loss to Urdu language and literature". These views were expressed by Iftikhar Arif, Chairman, Pakistan Academy of Letters on the sad demise of prominent Urdu researcher, critic, translator and Prof. Ralph Russel, who died in London at the age of 90. Prof. Russel was born in 1918 and spent a long time in India and Pakistan. Iftikar Arif further said that the era of the old generation of authentic and veteran orientates has come to an end, with Ralph's passing away and it is a huge loss. He spent all his life in research and teaching in Urdu language. He said that he accomplished some major works as the head of Urdu Department of the school of Oriental and African Studies of London University. He wrote numerous research and critical essay in Urdu and made very popular and accomplished translation from the classical Urdu literature, which is read widely in Western world. He informed that his famous works include Islam, Ghalib: Life and Letters, and the pursuits of Urdu literature and new course in Urdu and spoken Hindi. . Recently the Urdu translation of his memoirs titled as "Joinda o Yabinda" is published. He continued work of research and criticism and undertook a major work. He established such a system of Urdu teaching in Britain that facilitated the population in Britain's various areas with the Urdu education. He said that he has left behind many illustrious students in Europe and America. Govt. of Pakistan conferred Sitara-e-Imtiaz upon him as the acknowledgement of his valuable services for the promotion of Urdu. The literary circles in Britain expressed their deep sorrow on his death.