By TCN News,
Patna: Dr Akhlaque Mohammed Khan ‘Shaharyar’ was felicitated by the Jamia Alumni Association in Riyadh on being conferred the 44th Jnanpith Award. Several noted Urdu poets attended the dinner-cum-felicitation ceremony.
“This award is an award for the whole Urdu fraternity,” said Mr Murshid Kamal, president of the Alumni Association, about the award conferred on ‘Shaharyar’ while giving the welcome note. About Shaharyar’s poetry Murshid said that each couplet of Prof. Shaharyar is a literary masterpiece and leaves its lasting effect on the mind of the listeners. He praised the noted poets present at the function as the ‘gems of Urdu poetry’. “Your presence on our invitation is a testimony to the fact that Jamia Association is considered a highly reputed Association among the Indian community which has upheld its democratic traditions hundreds of miles away from home. We have our roles in the promotion of Urdu language and literature among the Indian expatriates community,” he added.
Prof Shaharyar said that the Jamia was like a second home to him. He recalled some beautiful moments he shared with the Jamia with his close friends and former VCs Prof Mushirul Hasan and Syed Shahid Mehdi. He also praised the Jamia Alumni for organizing such a beautiful function.
Noted Urdu poets Mr Fayyaz Farooqui (IPS – serving as DIG in Punjab), Mrs Nusrat Mehdi, Mrs Deepti Misra, Mr Nadeem Siddiqui, Mr Afzal Manglori and Mr Nusrat Zaheer who attended the function never forgot to praise the Jamiaets’ love for them as well as for Urdu language.
Mr Shafaatullah Khan, founder member of the JMI Alumni Association, presented Prof Shaharyar with a bouquet. Mr Atiqur Rahman, JASCOM president, presented the honourable guest with a gift. Mr Mohammed Shahabuddin anchored at the function. Mr Aftab Alam Nizami delivered the vote of thanks.