LAHORE - Speakers at launching of Humayun Naseer Sheikh’s book - Memoirs: The Untold Story of India’s Oldest Muslim Industrial Family - paid glowing tributes to Pakistani author and Indian publisher for conveying details of evolution of industrial history of the country through attractive and light yet powerful writings.
Ex-High Commissioner of Pakistan to India Shahid Malik was the chief guest at the launching ceremony held at Royal Palm Golf and Country Club on Sunday.
Prominent Indian educationist and publisher Narendra Kumar, author’s wife Nasreen Humayun Sheikh, daughter Aalia Monnoo and people from various walks of life attended the ceremony.
Addressing the participants, Shahid Malik termed the book a good guideline for aspiring businessmen as a successful and prominent industrialist shared his experiences, challenges and difficulties. He also read out different excerpts of the book.
He said that like the author himself, his creation is also full of life, vigour and humour. He also shared his experiences while working as High Commissioner in New Delhi.
“From New Delhi Airport, I directly went to a book launching ceremony before assuming duty as High Commissioner. Last function attended as High Commissioner was also a book launching ceremony,” he said.
Malik also paid tributes to publisher Narendra Kumar, saying that people were right in terming him a living legend for his contribution toward education and literature.
“People like Narendra Kumar deserve credit for holding literary festival on both sides of Pak India border. Such events help improving people to people contacts,” he said.
Humayun Naseer Sheikh praised his family and friends for their encouragement and for providing him conducive atmosphere that led to completion of his memoirs. He said that the book carried his personal experiences from early age to till completion of the piece.
Sheikh also thanked the publisher for giving short stories of his life shape of a book. He said that there was need of end to hatred and start of travelling and trade between two neighbouring countries.
Narendra Kumar was all praise for Humayun Naseer Sheikh.
“A writer has critical while publisher a quite role in the creation of a book. I just provided Mr Humayun a platform. He has produced a wonderful piece for which he deserved applause. I am really happy to publish this book and for being here in the literary capital”, he said.
Aalia Monnoo, who helped her father in compilation of initial draft of the book, said this piece of literature carried experiences of her father’s life. She also shared some aspects of his personal life and his ability to speak at length on every subject.