Mahnoor (Srinagar),June 27 – A large number of Kashmiri Intellectuals and Writers today assembled at Mahnoor- the native village of Moti Lal Saqi – the dyon of Kashmir Language and Literature, on his 10th death anniversary to pay him floral tributes. The event was organized by Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages in the lawns of the ancestral house owned by Late Moti Lal Saqi, in Budgam district , about 34 Km away from Srinagar City. Abdul Rahim Rather , Minister for Finance and Parliamentary Affairs was Chief guest while Mrs Parmeshwari wife of Late Saqi , Eminent Scholars , Prof . Mohan Lal Aash and Mohammad Yousuf Taing, and prominent broadcaster and son of Moti Lal Saqi , Vijay Saqi shared the presidium on the occasion, This is the first cultural event in which more than 20 top migrant Kashmiri Pandit writers from Jammu participated in this special programme.
Abdul Reham Rather in his address remembered the unparallel contribution of Moti Lal Saqi, for preservation of Kashmiri Culture and ethos. He further said the State government is committed for the development Cultural Heritage of the State. He said that promotion of Culture is our priority and the autonomous character of the Academy will be safeguarded and protected at any cast. He said that Cultural academy is doing yeomen job under the dynamic guidance of Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah who is also president of the Academy. He further said that Kashmiri Pandits are integral part our identity and Culture.
The Minister also complimented the Secretary Academy for holding this purposeful event here in this remote village.
Mr. Zaffar Iqbal Manhas,in his speech stated that the Kashmiri speaking masses have to come forward to promote their language through various means. He said the globalization is a great threat for developing languages adding that our generation should feel the delicacies of the time and to link this cherished language with computer , Information Technology, Print and Electronic Media and above all the “livelihood”.
Paying tribute to Late Moti Lal Saqi Zaffar said that Saqi was a great soul and was a cultural luminary who by virtue of his writings has served the cultural heritage of Kashmir in a big way. He said that Saqi had deep insight over the cultural affairs of the state and had dedicated his whole life for promotion and development of such traditions. He futher said that Late Moti Lal Saqi was instrumental in making “Encyclopedia Kashmiriyana” a success adding that Saqi was a poet of high repute and caliber having diction and style of his own.
Earlier the Minister presented a shawl and a memento to the widow of late Moti Lal Saqi who visited her native town after the gap twenty years.
The special issue of Sheeraza Kashmiri Edited by Zaffar Muzafar dedicated to Late Moti Lal Saqi was also released on the occasion.
Several papers were read out highlighting life and contributions of Late Moti Lal Saqi and speakers on the occasion described him as an encyclopedia on Kashmir.
Mr. Mohammd Yousuf Taing congratulated the Academy on organizing this meaningful function and compiling special issue of Sheeraza Kashmiri highlighting the life and works of Late Moti Lal Saqi.
A State level Mushaira was also organized on the occasion in which Kashmiri poets across the state participate which include Prof. Rehman Rahi, Gh. Nabi Khayal, Moti Lal Masroof, Mohan Lal Aash, Syed Rasul Pompur, Gh.Nabi Aatash, Iqbal Faheem, Tanha Nizami, Shabnam Tilgami, Prof. Mishal Sultanpuri and others.
The proceedings of the event were conducted by Zaffar Muzaffar.