The Delhi Youth Welfare Association works for the upliftment of underprivileged children in Old Delhi through many initiatives, including its Hazrat Shah Walliulah Public Library.
DYWA team with Capt Zoya and Heena Sodhi
On a hot Wednesday afternoon in June, Laxmi (14) and Ritika (11), residents of the walled city, braved the heat as they made their way through the crowded lanes of Old Delhi to arrive at a cramped quarter in Churiwalan, Jama Masjid. The dated signage and dilapidated environs may have served to put them off their mission, but they persevered. After all, they had it on the best possible authority––of their own older sister––that this was where they would receive school textbooks for the upcoming academic year.
These hardworking sisters are a few of the many girls and boys lining up outside the doors of the unassuming Hazrat Shah Waliullah Public Library, which distributes course books for children once a year, free of cost, to support them in their pursuit of education despite financial and other constraints.
In 1987, in the wake of curfew following religious tensions in Old Delhi, a group of young friends turned their energies towards the upliftment of destitute locals.
The library
They began by distributing rations, medicines, and scholarships to deserving widows and others in need, under the banner of the Delhi Youth Welfare Association (DYWA); but felt this action, though noble, did not make the desired difference to ground realities. Illiteracy due to poor financial conditions and the resultant lack of resources was a chronic problem that needed their immediate attention. Hence, they started sponsoring the education of deserving children, and opened the Hazrat Shah Waliullah Public Library, sometime in the 90s.
Muhammad Naeem, the President of the DYWA, has been associated with the organisation from the beginning. Narrating an incident that summarises the need for their organisation, he says, “Financial conditions are bad for the locals here. As soon as they clear their ninth standard exams, they want to move to Open University instead of going to school, so they can work and earn money. This is true for both boys and girls.”
Amidst this, the Hazrat Shah Waliullah Library strives to encourage a love of reading and learning–– an art that is swiftly being sidelined. SM Changezi, the General Secretary of DYWA and custodian of the library, wears his royal ascendancy from Chengez Khan with pride. However, he only displays it to the world through his passion for beautiful and rare old books.
The library’s vast collection includes a 100-year-old Quran with every page written in a different style, a copy of an illustrated Ramayana in Persian, and even one of the last copies of Bahadur Shah Zafar’s poetry, printed and sealed in the royal press while he was still in power.
About 50 percent of the books in the library are donated by locals who support the organisation, and the remaining are bought from the organisation’s funds.
With the increasing number of books, the association is now planning to open a second library in Haryana’s Nuh to cater to the local slums in the area. Apart from free course books, the DYWA sponsors the education of around 30 girls. To this effect, the DYWA collects and pays Rs 2.5-3 lakh per annum towards children’s fees, all from donations made by people who believe in the cause.
Other initiatives include inviting celebrated personalities originally from this area to speak to the children about making a success of their life. This happened recently when Air India pilot and social activist Captain Zoya Agarwal and Heena Sodhi Khera of women’s networking platform Queen’s Brigade, met the children for their course distribution ceremony.
Khera explains, “Capt Zoya shared her own experiences of being judged for her big ambitions. Yet, she achieved what she wanted and encouraged the kids to do so as well. The children were ecstatic and listened to her with rapt attention.”
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Good News / by Noor Anand Chawla / June 24th, 2022
These superb translations make two Tamil classics accessible to a wider readership
Kalki’s Parthiban Kanavu, published in the 1940s and considered to be one of the earliest historical novels in Tamil, is an acknowledged classic.
Thoppil Mohamed Meeran’s short stories are contemporary classics.
The translation of these works from Tamil into English by two experienced writers, Nandini Vijayaraghavan and Prabha Sridevan respectively, achieves a major aim: to make cultures and histories of India accessible to a wider readership.
They are also of interest to prospective translators as a study in contrast, indicating the wide range of skills and knowledge that make translation a creative art.
Impeccable choice
Parthiban Kanavu is a swashbuckling story of a young prince keeping alive his father’s dream of establishing a glorious kingdom. The storyline is marked by palace intrigues, betrayals, and love at first sight. Vijayaraghavan faithfully follows the plot, omitting no digressions or descriptions. Nor does she editorialise to explain plot complications. Her choice of words is impeccable, the polysyllabic and slightly archaic language reflecting Kalki’s Sanskritised Tamil, which is not easily accessible to contemporary readers.
Kalki at work | Photo Credit: The Hindu
Parthiban’s Dream features exquisite artwork by Gopulu which was part of the Tamil original when it was serialised. The volume will be a treasured addition to any bookshelf.
Cover of ‘Meeran’s Stories’
Deceptively easy
The 18 short stories in Meeran’s Stories have been selected from across three anthologies. Taken together, they showcase the Sahitya Akademi award winner’s range and sensitivity. Belonging to a Muslim community in Kerala, Meeran’s characters lead insecure lives where violence is both tacit and direct.
Noorunisa waits in vain for the Arab trader who will sweep her off her feet and cover her with gold. A tsunami changes the entire landscape, bringing about a sea change in the lives of the fishing community. A poor man thrown out by his son goes on a safar to holy Muslim sites, only to be treated as a terrorist by the authorities.
The young boy who bullies and finally strangles his mother, learns that the woman who petted, cosseted and indulged him owed him nothing, not even his birth. An unsympathetic official refuses to grant a girl’s simple request to thank the bus conductor who rescued her till it is too late. The economic and environmental disaster created by Coca-Cola at its Plachimada plant is recorded with clinical precision through descriptions of dry wells, poisonous fertilisers and a devious investor.
Meeran’s stories make for deceptively easy reading, mirroring the apparently uneventful lives of his characters. The narrative style, without editorial comments, is powerful in its starkness. Through what he leaves unsaid, Meeran allows readers to reconstruct the cultural context.
The twist in the tale, the hallmark of a good short story, is sharp and blink-and-you-miss-it short.
The closed Coca-Cola company at Plachimada in Palakkad. | Photo Credit: Mustafah K.K.
Like idioms, Meeran’s syntax and structures do not cross languages easily.
Translating Meeran’s work is thus a delicate undertaking, balancing the said and the unsaid, needing simplistic, not simple, English to create a feeling of rarity.
Sridevan pays attention to both word and spirit. But her work goes a step further: it spurs the reader on to go back to the original, looking for hidden depths. This is a singular accomplishment for a translation.
These two books are must-reads for the Tamil diaspora, in India and abroad.
Releasing two new projects of Human Welfare Foundation. Chief guest Dr. S Y Qureshi, former chief election commission, is fourth from left.
New Delhi :
Have you ever wondered why all philanthropic activities start from the South and why North India remains behind? When Al-Shifa Hospital has to be built in Delhi, Prof KA Siddique Hassan Sb had to come from Kerala, said Dr. SY Qureshi, Former Chief Election Commissioner.
Speaking on the occasion of Prof K A Siddique Hassan Memorial PG Scholarship Distribution Function organized by Human Welfare Foundation (HWF), at India Islamic Cultural Centre here, Dr. Qureshi said that the most worrying fact was that today Muslims were not following the teachings of Islam. Islam’s first commandment was to read. Unfortunately, Muslims are far away from education.
Dr. SY Qureshi was the Chief Guest on the occasion in which two major projects of the Human Welfare Foundation under the aegis of Vision 2026 were announced.
“Despite discrimination, if you are good at what you do, you will get an opportunity and only quality education will bring that change. The practice of fictitious degrees in northern India is destroying generations. I am pleased that the Human Welfare Foundation has taken practical steps for quality education, which are proving fruitful,” Dr. Qureshi added.
Dr. Siraj Hussain, IAS (Retd) Chairman, Human Welfare Foundation, in his presidential address, said that education as a sector has taken a hit in the last couple of years.
Quoting the Annual Status of Education Report, he said that the enrolment in private schools has gone down due to the financial crisis. This happened after many decades. Offline classes are yet to start in prominent universities. Quality of education is going to be a big challenge in the coming times.
“In my interaction with students receiving the scholarship today, I observed that the students are all committed towards their academics,” Dr. Siraj Hussain said.
He wished the students willing to pursue civil services and journalism to show true dedication, which can only bring success. He also reminisced his association with Prof K A Siddique Hassan Sb and said that the scholarships and the newly announced projects are a glowing tribute to his great personality.
H. Abdur Raqeeb, Trustee, Human Welfare Foundation, and Chairman, Indian Centre for Islamic Finance (ICIF) addressing the gathering said that he had the opportunity to work with Prof K A Siddique Hassan for five decades in different capacities.
“Prof. Siddique Hassan was an admirer of talents, and took them along and always paved the way for them to serve the society,” H. Abdul Raqeeb said.
“Under Vision 2026, he envisioned and established many NGOs. Professor Siddique Hassan’s dream was to explore the potential and immense opportunities in the community and make it beneficial for the upliftment of the marginalized sections,” He added.
Abdul Jabbar Siddiqui, Trustee, Human Welfare Foundation, on this occasion, announced the future projects of Vision 2026.
A new award has been instituted for NGOs and Social Engineers. The Best NGO and Best Social Engineer Award’ will be given to an NGO and an individual, selected by the jury, who are doing well in the social and humanitarian sector with a cash award of Rs. 500,000 and Rs. 100,000 respectively.
Announcing the projects, he said, “Fifteen years ago today, under the leadership of Prof. Siddique Hassan, a whole team was formed and we have come a long way learning many things. The biggest achievement of Prof. Siddique Hassan was shifting the focus of South Indian Muslims towards the North and diverting the resources. He always said that only through changing the North, India can change.”
Another important project which was announced today is an academic publication on the topic – Pragmatics of Community Empowerment in India: Contributions of Prof. K.A. Siddique Hassan. A national seminar will be organized in which researchers and academicians will present papers on various aspects of Prof K A Siddique Hassan’s interventions. The proposed publication will be an asset for the coming generations to understand and be guided by his life experiences and interventions.
Twenty-eight students pursuing various PG courses received the Prof. KA Siddique Hassan Memorial PG Scholarship. Human Welfare Foundation has launched the ‘Professor KA Siddique Hassan Memorial PG Scholarship to strengthen its educational activities and further expand the scholarship program. This scholarship will be given every year to the talented PG students in Humanities at the national level.
On this occasion, the CEO of the Human Welfare Foundation PK Noufal presented the performance report of the foundation.
Mr. Shafi Madni, Trustee, HWF also graced the occasion. Dr. Rizwan Rafiqi delivered the welcome address. Dr. Arif Nadvi, Manager, Health Services of the Foundation moderated the program, and Saleemullah Khan, Senior Manager, Education, proposed a vote of thanks.
source: http://www.indiatomorrow.net / India Tomorrow / Home> Education> Featured / June 20th, 2022
Senior writer U.A. Khasim (74), who was one of the architects of the Beary Andolan passed away at his residence in the city during the early hours of Monday.
The deceased is survived by his wife, four sons, three daughters, and a legion of relatives and friends.
Writer Khasim has written stories, novels, poems, and various literary pieces in both the Beary and Kannada languages.
Apart from being at the forefront of the Beary Andolan, Khasim Ullal has also been a member of the Beary Sahitya Academy, he has also served as the office bearer of Kendra Beary Parishad and Beary Literary & Cultural Association for several years.
The sources close to the family of the deceased have informed that his funeral rites will be conducted at Kallapu Patla near Thokottu.
Many prominent personalities expressed their condolences and remembered Khasim Ullal’s rich contribution to the Beary movement and literature.
With his passing away, one more pillar of the Beary literary movement has crumbled. With his pioneering works in Beary literature by way of novels, poems, short stories, plays etc. he had given a big boost to the movement in its early years, said Umar Teekay, Chairman of Teekays Group in his condolence message.
source: http://www.english.varthabharati.in / Vartha Bharati / Home> Karavali / by Vartha Bharati / June 20th, 2022
Nammal Beypore will organise a Basheer Fest, a range of programmes in connection with the 28th death anniversary of writer Vaikom Muhammed Basheer, at the author’s residence at Beypore from July 2 to 5.
Tourism Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas, who is the patron of the fest, told reporters here on Sunday that there would be district-level and State-level programmes as part of the fest, with the help of the Chalachitra Academy, Sangeetha Nataka Akademi, Kerala Lalithakala Akademi, Folklore Academy and Sahitya Akademi.
A Basheer feature and documentary show in association with Chalachitra Academy, a literature camp for budding writers led by writer Subhash Chandran under the aegis of the Kerala Sahitya Akademi, a Basheer painting contest, photo exhibition, traditional food fest, plays and ghazal concerts are being held as part of the festival.
Besides, there will be seminars and cultural meetings in which noted writers are expected to take part.
School children can visit the Basheer residence at Beypore.
Mayor Beena Philip is the chairperson of the organising committee.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Kozhikode / by Staff Reporter / Kozhikode – June 20th, 2022
Maulana Muhammed Manzoor Nomani (1905-1997), most arguably was one of the five prime most Muslims of the Indian sub-continent in the last century. He was the founding member of Jamaat-e-Islami and later got associated with Tablighi Jamaat and was also the member of founding committee of Muslim World League.
Maulana Khalil-ur-Rehman Sajjad Nomani is his son who gives every credence to his father, as that is what has made him, potentially what he is today; the most potent Muslim voice in the nation.
Sajjad Nomani’s command on Arabic, Quran, Hadith, Urdu, Hindi and English, in the same verve, depth and gravitas, apart from being an eloquent speaker, an indefatigable champion of Muslim cause, a voracious reader and a writer with an unquestionable command on the intricacies of linguistic theory and cultural praxis, are all the qualities he has embodied and imbibed from his late father.
Yours truly also did once saw Manzoor Nomani Sahab, at his Nazeerabad residence, Lucknow, as he sat on his wheel chair engrossed in an Urdu newspaper and also attended to his funeral at Aishbagh, Lucknow in 1997.
It would be worthy to recollect some of the anecdotes Sajjad Sahab shared about his late father, which all are a treasure trove to understand the ‘times’ about seventy-five years back.
He reminisced that Pakistan first Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan was very insistent that Manzoor Sahab visit Pakistan and become a part of Pakistan Constituent Assembly to ‘pave for the ingredients’ for Islamic Jurisprudence for the state of Pakistan, and ultimately even officially sought for it, as Manzoor Sahab was one of the most outstanding figures of Islamic Law and Jurisprudence at those times.
When India’s PM Jawahar Lal Nehru came to know of it, he communicated that though he does not want Maulana to volunteer it, yet if Maulana wanted then government of India was to facilitate it. But, there was no question of Manzoor Sahab even entertaining the idea as he was an unwavering Indian by his heart, not out of any chance but primarily for his choice, as Muslims after 1947 were to choose between India or Pakistan and Manzoor Sahab stood for India.
Maulana Khalilur Rahman Sajjad Nomani
Sajjad Sahab would also reflect that it was in 1976, when he was studying in Medina University, and had come to India on his vacations, that Manzoor Sahab kidneys collapsed all of a sudden and he went into coma. That was the time when emergency was in place. He informed that ‘intelligence inputs’ were given to PM Indira Gandhi that unless Maulana Ali Mian Nadwi, Maulana Manzoor Nomani and Qari Siddeeq Baandvi were to be arrested, Muslims were not relent to ‘vasectomy-sterilization’ and Indira Gandhi went to India’s President Fakhrudin Ali Ahmed, for his counsel on it, to which she was answered that all hell will break loose in the country in case of such an eventuality.
In the meantime, Indira Gandhi was also informed about the medical situation of Manzoor Sahab, and a chartered place to carry Maulana to Delhi was sent to Lucknow. The family members could not fathom for it, for they knew, that Maulana was be very angry once after the coma was to subside, the gesture of Indira Gandhi was hence refused, and fortunately by the midnight Maulana regained his senses, but then the next morning Indira Gandhi herself came down to Maulana’s residence. She would insist that Maulana may be flown to Delhi for his medical treatment, but all what Maulana sought from her was that she should implement justice as there was ‘tyranny’ all across the nation. He would address Indira Gandhi as his daughter and that when she played in her father’s courtyard, Maulana was to advice her father JL Nehru on critical issues.
Such has been the sense of belonging of Muslims for Manzoor Sahab , inherited too well by his son, is that while Jamshedpur raged under riots of 1979, Maulana went on to sit in a mosque for 21 days, draw into people and disbursed charity amongst the hapless Muslims, which continued for months. Maulana had an impeccable memory as Sajjad Sahab, relates, that shortly before his death, while he was searching for a Hadith, his ailing father, who was almost comatose, made him look for it on the exact page of Tirmezi- a great compendium of Hadith. Maulana Manzoor Sahab was a living authority and a luminary of Hadith-the sayings of Prophet of Islam.
Manzoor Nomani Sahab surely has left an indelible mark on Muslim civilization not across only in India but throughout the whole Muslim world. The best part however is that, it has all been very well innately translated into a relentless campaign for Muslim rights in India, by his son Sajjad Nomani, an activist always on his heels and one of the most credible voice of Muslims in the nation today. He is right now articulating the cause of Peace and Justice, a desperate call of the nation today. Sajjad Sahab is also the spokesperson of All India Muslim Personal Law Board, the Apex of Muslims in the country.
***
The writer is a former UP State Information Commissioner and writes on political issues.
source: http://www.mulimmirror.com / Muslim Mirror / Home> Muslim Scholars / by Haider Abbas / June 20th, 2022
Dr. Noor Amrohvi is one of the most important people in modern times for his knowledge of literature and poetry. Dr. Noor Amrohvi is a man of courage and many qualities. Apart from his immense love for literature, poetry and Urdu language, he also has a deep sympathy for the nation. They are popular among the people. He lives in the United States but his heart lives in India. They always strive for the development of the country, the welfare of the people and the promotion of Urdu language. And these are the things that make him stand out from others.
Dr. Noor Amrohvi belongs to a business family of India. He himself is also a businessman. Simultaneously, he is a renowned and popular poet and a literary figure. Although in the Dallas Texas Area there are a large number of poets and prose writers, yet the main difference between Noor and others is the level of popularity and fame that has come to Noor Amrohvi. He is certainly a distinguished and far more popular literary figure than others poets, speakers and writers.
Its manifest proof is proven by the release of his first book which has been released in a unique and charming manner. Although the release of this book has been carried out in an extremely distinguished and unique manner yet the most notable and enticing manner was visible in the celebration which was hosted by his admirers and readers in 2018 AD. Its salient features were that every listener and guest was given a precious diamond. Moreover, precious pens were gifted to Dr Noor Amrohvi by adopted sister of Noor In the light of all these festivities that party became one of the most unique and expensive functions which was neither witnessed nor celebrated.
Noor Amrohvi is also the chairman of the famous literary and social organization named “ALNOOR INTERNATIONAL “. Every year Noor Amrohvi conducts an international program named,” an evening for peace and unity).
Noor Amrohvi enjoys the distinction of being the only expatriate person for holding an international Mushaira (poetry presentation). Every big and renowned poet aspires to take part in the poetry Mushairas conducted by Dr Noor Amrohvi as an honor.
One can imagine the popularity and fame of Noor Amrohvi for his services for Urdu language,Asian community and poetry. That last in a Mushaira conducted at his residence, almost all the reputed and well-known celebrities of Dallas city were present.
It may be mentioned that Dr. Noor Amrohvi has received so many and numerous awards. The expatriate residents of Dallas and Fort Worth cities have acknowledged that no one has so far received so many awards as Noor Amrohvi has been awarded.
Noor’s Ghazals have been sung by singers. The lyrics written by him have been used in the movies and also sung by renowned singers in India. The city of Dallas is very fortunate that it has a poet of eminence known asDr. Noor Amrohvi who represents Urdu language in the United States and Dallas city as well as elsewhere.
Although Dr. Shamsa Qureshi is the spoken sister of Dr. Noor Amrohvi, yet there is a great deal of understanding between them to the extent that both seem to be the real sister and brother.
Dr. Shamsa has a very soft and kind temperament and is the author of a volume of poetry. She is the custodian and patron of the Al-Noor International literary union. She is like the backbone of this literary union.
The people of Dallas have benefitted by this relationship of brother and sister that two Urdu literary and poetry sessions are held every year. These programs are held because of the support and patronage of Dr. Shamsa and Dr. Noor Amrohvi.
source: http://www.millattimes.com / Millat Times / Home> Opinion / by Saeed Qureshi, Editor – UprightOpinion.com / January 13th, 2021
Shahid sahab or Shahid bhai, as he was called by most, was not a writer or a poet himself but helped many become successful writers, poets and researchers.
Shahid Ali Khan at his Bookshop in New Delhi. Photo: Mahtab Alam
Since the onset of the pandemic, so many gems from the world of Urdu language and literature have been lost that I have now lost count. It was only last year that a few of us compiled a list of at least 75 Urdu writers and poets who had passed away. It included the likes of Shamsur Rahman Faruqi, Anand Mohan Zutshi ‘Gulzar Dehlvi’, Rahat Indori, Mujtaba Hussain, Nusrat Zaheer and Asrar Jamayee. Notably, this list does not include any Urdu writers, poets, researchers and translators outside India.
This year so far, we have not been able to gather the courage to collate such a list. I am sure the numbers are higher than last year, even though we are still to go through more than half the year. While it’s true that not all succumbed to the virus, the pandemic coupled with the lockdown ensured that most of the friends, admirers and other Urdu lovers were deprived of having one last glimpse or participating in the last journey of their favourite literary heroes.
One such person was Shahid Ali Khan, whom we lost in April this year. He passed away in the wee hours of April 21. This news was not wholly unexpected, as he was 91 years old and was not keeping well for the past few months. Despite that, when the news of his death reached me, I was engulfed in an inexplicable layer of grief. In fact, I felt more helpless than sad. Helpless because despite my strong will to participate in his last journey, I could not do so as I was down with a high-grade fever myself and had been briefly hospitalised due to COVID-19.
Shahid sahab or Shahid bhai, as he was called by most, was not a writer or a poet himself, but he helped and enabled many to become successful writers, poets and researchers. Ram Prakash Kapoor, who retired from the Bhilai Steel Plant, recounts in an article that Shahid sahab encouraged him to write in Urdu and invited him to write a guest editorial for one of the issues of Kitab Numa, a magazine of which Shahid sahab was the editor. Thanks to Shahid sahab’s constant encouragement, Kapoor went on to author at least two books in Urdu after his retirement.
Nai Kitab bookshop in Jamia Nagar, New Delhi. Photo: Mahtab Alam
Like Kapoor, there are probably dozens of writers who were nourished by Shahid sahab during his lifetime. Amongst his admirers included noted writers such as Shamsur Rahman Faruqi, Mujtaba Hussain, Shameem Hanafi, Sughra Mehdi and Sadiq-ur-Rahman Kidwai. For many years, he was also associated with the Maktaba Jamia, the Urdu publication division of Jamia Millia Islamia. The Maktaba is one of the largest and longest surviving Urdu publishers in India. He had joined the Maktaba in 1951 as a junior clerk and retired as its general manager in 2006.
He had also worked as the in-charge of Maktaba Jamia’s Mumbai branch. According to noted screenwriter and playwright Javed Siddiqi, there was a time when the Maktaba in Mumbai used to be packed with writers, poets, journalists, professors and (then) young lovers of literature like him. So much so that people had to take refuge on the steps of the Maktaba and the footpath outside it. It was a place for debate and discussions on issues related to literature and beyond. Every Saturday evening witnessed a literary gathering in which Urdu lovers from across the city used to participate.
It is here that he befriended writers and poets like Jan Nisar Akhtar, Meena Kumari, Sahir Ludhianvi, Kaifi Azmi and Jagan Nath Azad. Some of them were regular visitors at the Maktaba. There are several interesting stories about their friendship which can be heard here in his own words. Though he had left the city several decades ago, several Urdu writers and journalists who used to visit the Maktaba (located near JJ hospital naka) would tell me of how they missed Shahid Sahab’s presence.
He continued to attract and host Urdu lovers in Delhi. It would often happen that whenever an Urdu lover visited the city, they would make it a point to meet him. One of the reasons behind this was that he possessed an encyclopaedic knowledge about Urdu and its literature. He also often had Urdu books which were not available in the market. At times, he would also make arrangements for books on request.
After his retirement from the Maktaba, he started an independent publishing house and book store in Jamia Nagar by the name of Nai Kitab and a quarterly literary journal by the same name. It is here that I met him for the first time in 2007. Though the magazine ceased to be published after a few years – owing to his growing age and deteriorating health, he continued with the book shop even though it was time for him to take a break. “The bookstore is like oxygen for me,” he had once told me. It was open till a few months before the lockdown in March last year.
One of the attractions for me while visiting Jamia Nagar (after having shifted out) was to meet Shahid sahab and spend some time at his bookshop. It was not just another bookshop where one would primarily buy books. It was like a centre of learning and Shahid sahab was always there to host you no matter how young one was. He was a guide for those interested in Urdu and wanted to know more about the language and its literature.
During my umpteen visits to the bookstore, I always found him surrounded by people – poets, writers, journalists, researchers and students of varying ages. He would always pay individual attention to each visitor and if you were regular, you were likely to be treated with black tea and chips. It was no surprise then that Urdu lovers missed his warmth when the bookshop was closed.
“It is not just a bookshop but an institution where one got to meet noted writers and lovers of Urdu literature,” young Urdu poet Rizwan Khan, who used to visit the shop at least twice a week, told me last year. “I miss the black tea and chips that Shahid sahib served us with love and affection,” he recalled, adding that “he is a storehouse of information, and several veteran writers were his friends, so he would tell us stories all the time.”
In my own case, after enquiring about his khabar-khairyat on each of my visits, he would say, “Achcha aap bahut dino baad aayen hain, ye nayi kitaabein aayi hai dekh lein (You’ve come after a long time, here are some new books for your perusal),” pointing towards the book rack where new arrivals were kept or those that were on his table. It is no surprise to me that some of the best Urdu books in my personal library are from his shop, often on his recommendation. I had been reading the works of noted Urdu writer Shaukat Thanvi in the past few days, all brought from his shop and which are either out of print or seldom available in the market.
Shahid Ali Khan and other staff of Maktaba Jamia (Mumbai) with Zakir Hussain, former president of India and VC of Jamia Millia Islamia. Photo: Shahid Ali Khan: Ek Fard, Ek Idara (Arshia Publications)
It is our misfortune that despite requests from several admirers, he never paid heed to write his biography or memoirs. Had he done so, we would not have been deprived of the knowledge and stories which have now gone with him. In my understanding, he didn’t write his memoirs for two reasons. He was always busy with work and never had the time – so much so that his children would say that the Maktaba (and later, Nai Kitab) was his first love. Secondly, and more importantly, he hardly ever spoke about himself.
He had a special interest in young researchers of Urdu. God only knows how many of them he has helped by supplying important books and literature for their research, providing guidance (what to read, whom to interview or contact) and getting their work published.
There are many who claim to be, or are often referred to as Khadim-e-Urdu (Servant of Urdu). But I have not met a servant of Urdu like Shahid sahab. He was a selfless benefactor of Urdu and his services can’t and shouldn’t be forgotten. Now that Shahid sahab is no more, it is unlikely that the bookshop will open again. Even if it does, it will never be the same.
source: http://www.thewire.in / The Wire / Home> Culture / by Mahtab Alam / June 01st, 2021
Badharwa Fateh Mohammad Village, BIHAR / Lucknow, U.P. / NEW DELHI :
New Delhi :
Mohammad Zeyaul Haque, a senior journalist, well known in journalistic and intellectual circles of Delhi, Bihar and UP, passed away on Thursday after a short hospitalisation, the end came around 7:30 pm today. He was 72.
Born in 1948 in a remote village of Bihar called Badharwa Fateh Mohammad, under Dhaka subdivision of East Chamapran district, he received his early education in Dhaka. After schooling, he went to college in Motihari and later joined LS college, Muzaffarpur, from where he graduated with English Literature. Inclined towards Journalism and writing from college days, he went to Lucknow to pursue his Journalistic career, first joining Urdu daily, Qaumi Awaz, published by the associated journals limited which also published National Herald and Navjeevan in Hindi. His journalistic acumen, writing skills and intellectual calibre soon attracted the attention of the Editor of English daily, the pioneer of Lucknow who offered him a job as a reporter for his newspaper.
It was a big jump for a person who started out as a Journalist in an Urdu Daily. From there, there was no looking back for Mr Haque who was affectionately called Zeya Saheb by his friends and journalist colleagues. In Lucknow, he worked National Herald and Times of India which he left to join Russian Embassy to work for its publications as the consultant editor in Delhi. Later, Mr Haque took up the stewardship of a fortnightly, Nation and the World, as its Executive Editor, though he piloted it as its de facto Editor.
He was executive editor of The Milli Gazette and edited a number of books published by Pharos Media. Currently, he was editing the English translation of the Quran by Zafarul-Islam Khan.
He also edited the Magazine ‘The Encounter’, with distinction. Zeya saheb was a trilingual journalist who was a regular columnist of Rajasthan Patrika published from Jaipur and used to contribute articles to the multi-edition Hindi daily The Hindustan. At the time of his death, Zeya saheb was working for an NGO group, Institute of Objective Studies, New Delhi, which he served for long years, as its strongest pillars.
Coming from a rural background, Zeya saheb compared well with many of city-bred and public school educated peers. He had trained and inspired generations of Journalists. Apart from qualities of Head, he was also known for his qualities of heart. He was a thorough gentleman, kind and compassionate, helping people with his right hand without his left hand knowing it.
A gentleman to the core, he had exceptional grasp of English and was highly well-read. Always had a story to share from his treasure.
He is survived by two sons and one daughter and a lot of grandchildren and relatives. His eldest son Waqas is Senior Journalist with India Today and the other son Arafat, is a Senior Manager in an MNC, while his daughter Naila teaches English in Delhi University. May Zeya Saheb’s soul rest in peace.
source: http://www.milligazette.com / The Milli Gazette / Home> News> Community News / by The Milli Gazette Online / April 22nd, 2021
How did the politics of the Ram temple and the demolition of the Babri Masjid secure support for the militant Hindu nationalistic idea?
In this episode of ‘In Dino’, Mahtab Alam interviews senior journalist and author, Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay on the impact the Ram Janmabhoomi-Ayodhya movement had on India polity and society.
Mukhopadhyay in his latest book, The Demolition and the Verdict: Ayodhya and the Project to Reconfigure India (Speaking Tiger: 2021) analyses how politics of the Ram temple and demolition of Babri Masjid secured support for the militant Hindu nationalistic idea and the long-term implications of the imminent construction of the Ram Mandir.
source: http://www.thewire.in / The Wire / Home> Books / by Mahtab Alam / December 20th, 2021
