By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter
In India, it is not uncommon to see government jobs being defined as ‘laid back’. However, there are a few who break the stereotype and extend their services and talents to many more sectors. Dr Wajahat Hussain Rizvi is one such person. Currently posted as Deputy Director, Information & Public Relations at Meerut, he has done tremendous service in the field of Urdu literature by publishing as many as 22 special editions about eminent Urdu poets and writers who were slowly being forgotten by the masses.
During his service, his abilities were spotted and Dr Rizvi was appointed as Editor of Naya Daur, an Urdu magazine of UP government. Till then the magazine was irregular and was confined to publishing only achievements of UP government in few pages. But Dr Rizvi took the opportunity and revived the magazine. He published special editions of Naya Daur which became collector’s item.
Special editions profiling and highlighting the works of eminent Urdu poets and writers as Ali Jawwad Zaidi, Irfan Siddiqui, Shakeel Badaunvi, Khumar Barabanki, Majaz, Jaanisar Akhtar, Wali Aasi, Rasheed Hasan, Meer Taqi Meer, Qurratul Ain Haider, Mahmood Ilahi, Munshi Dwarika Prasad Ufaq, Ehtisham Hussain Rizvi. Saadat Hasan Manto, Qamar rais, Afghan Ullah Khan etc. Extending it to other eminent personalities Dr Rizvi also published special editions on Maulana Mohd Ali Ja, Revolt of 1857 and on Urdu Journalism.
These publications have become valuable and even today students and research scholars approach UP government’s information directorate for getting a copy of their reference work.
A native of Sidharthnagar, Rizvi continued to pen his own work also and has just published his seventh book. Dr Rizvi also has translated several works of eminent writers. His latest work—Main Mohajir Nahin Hoon, is a translation of Badshah Hussain Rizvi’s book. “We need to preserve the work of our great personalities. Else the coming generation will forget them. I faced great problems while collecting details about various poets. I was surprised that even their family members did not have much information,” Rizvi said. His books have been published by UP Urdu Academy and have received awards also. Rizvi has also written a monologue on Ali Jawwad Zaidi for Sahitya Academy. His books translating work of Firaq Gorakhpuri poetry to Hindi from Urdu was also well received.
“I know it is difficult to take out time from your official duty. But it is possible if you are passionate about it. I am thankful that I am bestowed with this responsibility. I still consider myself as a hardworking peasant who ploughs his field. For me my pen replaces the plough,” Rizvi said.
Honoured with several awards, Rizvi has also been felicitated by UP government for being an asset as an employee for his writing and literary skills.