Adabi Sangat Kashmir Memorial Event for Ghulam Rasool Azad Special Issue of Rudad-e-Qaum
SRINAGAR, JUNE 6 Under the banner of Jammu and Kashmir Gujari Adabi Sangat, a condolence meeting was held on Thursday in memory of the renowned Gojri, Urdu, and Pahari writer, and distinguished journalist, former Deputy Director of the Department of Information, Ghulam Rasool Azad, who passed away in February. The event, held at the Cultural Academy Seminar Hall in Srinagar, also saw the release of a special issue of the literary magazine Rudad-e-Qaum dedicated to Azad.
The presidium included prominent Kashmiri poet and intellectual Zarif Ahmad Zarif; former SP Ghulam Haider Budhana; former Secretary of the Cultural Academy Dr. Rafiq Masoodi; Chief Editor of the Cultural Academy’s Pahari Department Farooq Anwar Mirza; former Director of Doordarshan Gulab Uddin Tahir; well-known Gujari writer and broadcaster Abdul Hamid Kasana; Film Production Officer and District Information Officer Ganderbal Afaq Ahmad Gadda; and Qazi Muhammad Shafi.
The welcome address was delivered by the renowned Gujari writer and Vice President of Adabi Sangat Kashmir, Rafiqat Chaudhary, while the vote of thanks was presented by the noted writer and former calligrapher officer of the Cultural Academy, Abdul Salam Kothri. The event was moderated by the famous poet Muhammad Sharif Qamar. The ceremony began with the recitation of the Quran and prayers for forgiveness by Abdul Manan Gorsi.
Dr. Shabir Ahmad Paswal, Chief Editor of Rudad-e-Qaum, introduced the life and works of the late Ghulam Rasool Azad. The young scholar and editor of Rudad-e-Qaum then read notes on the special issue and Azad’s literary and journalistic contributions. Subsequently, writers, poets, and Azad’s colleagues shared their reflections, highlighting various aspects of his impactful life, including his talent, high morals, insight, humor, and influence.
Speakers included Naeem Karnahi, Nilofar Naz Nahvi, Zahid Parvaiz, Mushtaq Badgami, calligrapher Muhammad Rafi Khari, Muhammad Farooq Ajaz, Nusrat Jabeen, Akhtar Rasool Budhana, Riaz Budhana, and Muhammad Ibrahim Khaksar, among others. The event concluded with the presidium members paying heartfelt tributes to Azad and urging his family to publish his unpublished works. Additionally, Azad’s colleagues and friends recounted various aspects of his life, from his university days to his final moments, focusing on his dedication to knowledge, literature, and journalism.
The atmosphere was highly emotional, and both the speakers and the audience were visibly moved. The speakers also praised the editors of Rudad-e-Qaum for publishing a comprehensive and beautiful special issue on Ghulam Rasool Azad. The event saw a significant attendance of literary figures and admirers of Azad.
