Indo Pak poets to bond over Ludhianvi

LUDHIANA: The stage is all set for the 43rd Jashn-e-Sahir, the annual international mushaira which will bring the poets and writers from Pakistan and India together to remember the literary genius and great poet Sahir Ludhianvi on his birthday.
The even is being organized by Adeeb International (Sahir Cultural Academy) and Nehru Sidhant Kender Trust on March 8, that marks the birth anniversary of great Urdu poet and lyricist Sahir Ludhianvi who was born in the city.
Prominent amongst those participating in the event from Pakistan include Ambassador Atta Ul Haq Qasmi, Governor Designate of Punjab, Dr Sughra Sadaf, director of arts in Punjab, Farhat Perveen, Amna Mufti, Rukhsana Noor, Naz Butt, Uzair Ahmad and Ahmed Nabeel. The Indian list of eminent participating poets comprises Dr. Rahat Indori (Mumbai), Shakil Azmi (Mumbai), Hassan Kazmi (Lucknow), Pragya Vikas (Mumbai), Hasib Soz (Badaun), Moien Shadab (Delhi), Shakil Jamali (Bijnore), Tarannum Riyaz (Sirinagar) and Vikas Gupt (Delhi)’.
Kewal Dheer, reputed writer and one of the organizers of the event told The Times of India that this year Dr. Satyapal Anand (USA), Ashfaq Hussain (Canada), Dr. Irteza Karim (India), Dr. Sughra Sadaf (Pakistan) and Dr. Amna Mufti (Pakistan) will be decorated with Sahir and Adeeb Awards. These awards have been established for the persons of eminence who have given qualitative contribution to the sacred ideology of national integration, peace and universal brotherhood through their respective fields of literature, journalism, art and culture.
In fact the idea of this memorable event was pioneered in seventies in the honour of Sahir, who himself was present on dais during that historical event.
Rakesh Bharti Mittal, Managing Director of Bharti Enterprises and President of Nehru Sidhant Kender Trust, said the event has witnessed presence of almost all great poets from the sub-continent from 70's till now.
“Sahir has been garnering a bond of peace and harmony between India and Pakistan. Jashn-e-Sahir has become a platform to bridge the gap between inhabitants of these neighboring nations. Dignitaries across the world especially from Pakistan have been regular participants in this event of global peace,’’ said Mittal.
He added that the event has become a thread of friendship between India and Pakistan. “This event is a voice of love and peace amongst the masses of both neighboring nations. This is a platform of friendship where sweet voices from both sides of the border sing songs of hope, amity and love,” he said.
Organisers mentioned that Jashn-e-Sahir has become one amongst the biggest literary-cultural events of country, which was being regularly organised every year for the last 43 years. “Commitment of over four decades to any thing takes a lot of dedication. This annual mega event of cultural harmony is helping in spreading Sahir Ludhianvi's ideology of communal peace and universal brotherhood,” said Dheer.
Keen to be part of the event, Dr Sughra Sadaf said, “We will be participating in the event as Ambassadors of peace from our country and will try that cultural ties between the two countries improve further”.
The event is being held at Panday Auditorium of Nehru Sidhant Kender, Feroze Gandhi Market.