Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 19: The Department of Urdu, University of Jammu, in collaboration with Himalayan Education Mission, Rajouri, is hosting a two-day international seminar on the theme “Jagan Nath Azad Ki Iqbal Shanasi” , from today.
Chief guest Surinder Choudhary, Deputy Chief Minister, inaugurated the seminar while JU Vice-Chancellor Prof Umesh Rai presided over the inaugural function. Prof Khawaja Ekram Ud Din from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi was the guest of honour.
In his inaugural address, Surinder Choudhary congratulated the Department of Urdu for organizing the seminar and praised Prof Jagan Nath Azad as a stalwart of Urdu literature. He expressed confidence that such initiatives would further popularize Urdu, a language known for its sweetness and cultural richness.
Presiding over the event, Prof Umesh Rai urged the faculty to design innovative language courses that enhance employability, equipping students with skills to advance their career prospects.
Dr Taqi Abedi, a renowned Urdu poet, critic, and researcher from Canada, delivered the keynote address, underscoring Prof Jagan Nath Azad’s pivotal role in introducing the works of Allama Iqbal to audiences in India and beyond after Independence.
Prof Khawaja Ekram Ud Din, in his address, noted that writing on Iqbal’s philosophy is a challenging endeavour, which Prof Jagan Nath Azad successfully mastered through his extensive literary contributions.
Earlier, Prof Shohab Inayat Malik, Head of the Department of Urdu, outlining the seminar’s objectives. He shared personal anecdotes about his interactions with Prof. Azad during his student days, portraying him as a towering critic, a secular thinker, and a champion of communal harmony.
Prof Mohammad Reyaz Ahmed and Dr Chaman Lal also addressed the gathering, emphasizing Prof Azad’s noteworthy contributions to Urdu literature, particularly in travel writing.
The seminar proceedings were conducted by Dr Farhat Shamim, while the vote of thanks was delivered by Dr Abdul Rashid Manhas.
Later in the day, an international Mushaira was organized, featuring poets from India and abroad. Notable participants included Khusbeer Singh Shaad, Pritpal Singh Betab, Dr. Taqi Abedi, Ayaz Rasool Nazki and Mohan Singh Ulfat.
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