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I will always remember Dr. Priya Ranjan not only as the Chairman of JK Monitor, but as a mentor, guide and elder brother whose kindness shaped my life and work. Write a tribute at JAMMU: The Department of Urdu, University of Jammu, in collaboration with Himalayan Education Mission, Rajouri, inaugurated a two-day International Seminar on the theme “Jagan Nath Azad Ki Iqbal Shanasi” today. Shri Surinder Choudhary, Deputy Chief Minister, Jammu and Kashmir UT graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. The inaugural session was presided over by Prof. Umesh Rai, Vice Chancellor, University of Jammu, with Prof. Khawaja Ekram Ud Din from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, as the Guest of Honour. Other dignitaries on the presidium included Ms. Mukhta Azad, Prof. Shohab Inayat Malik, Head, Department of Urdu, JU, and Jb. Farooq Muzter, Chairman, Himalayan Education Mission, Rajouri.
In his inaugural address, Shri Surinder Choudhary congratulated the Department of Urdu for organizing the seminar and praised Prof. Jagan Nath Azad as a stalwart of Urdu literature. He recalled that Prof. Azad was appointed as a Professor of Urdu at the University of Jammu and remained associated with the University throughout his life. Recognized as the “Ambassador of the University of Jammu,” Prof. Azad authored nearly 70 Urdu books, many of which are considered authoritative texts on Allama Iqbal. Shri Choudhary expressed confidence that such initiatives would further popularize Urdu, a language known for its sweetness and cultural richness.
Presiding over the event, Prof. Umesh Rai commended the Department of Urdu for organizing the conference and highlighted its potential to generate valuable insights and enrich the participants. He urged the faculty to design innovative language courses that enhance employability, equipping students with skills to advance their career prospects. Prof. Rai also lauded the department's initiatives, particularly its scholarly contributions, and commended the inclusion of its journal Tasalsul in the UGC-CARE list, calling it a significant milestone in advancing academic excellence.
Dr. Taqi Abedi, a renowned Urdu poet, critic, and researcher from Canada, delivered the keynote address, underscoring Prof. Jagan Nath Azad’s pivotal role in introducing the works of Allama Iqbal to audiences in India and beyond after Independence. Drawing attention to Prof. Azad’s book “Allama Iqbal Aur Kashmir”, Dr. Abedi highlighted Iqbal’s deep connection with Kashmir, his ancestral homeland, and his poetic tributes to its beauty and hospitality. Dr. Abedi described Prof. Azad as a pioneering critic of Iqbal’s works, credited with revealing lesser-known dimensions of the legendary poet's writings.
Prof. Khawaja Ekram Ud Din, in his address, described Allama Iqbal as a visionary thinker and a philosopher of composite culture. He noted that writing on Iqbal’s philosophy is a challenging endeavor, which Prof. Jagan Nath Azad successfully mastered through his extensive literary contributions.
Earlier, Prof. Shohab Inayat Malik, Head of the Department of Urdu, delivered the welcome address, outlining the seminar's objectives. He shared personal anecdotes about his interactions with Prof. Azad during his student days, portraying him as a towering critic, a secular thinker, and a champion of communal harmony. Prof. Malik also highlighted the contributions of his father, Tirlok Chand Mehroom, a contemporary of Iqbal, to Urdu literature.
Prof. Mohammad Reyaz Ahmed and Dr. Chaman Lal also addressed the gathering, emphasizing Prof. Azad’s noteworthy contributions to Urdu literature, particularly in travel writing. The seminar proceedings were conducted by Dr. Farhat Shamim, while the vote of thanks was delivered by Dr. Abdul Rashid Manhas.
Later in the day, an International Mushaira was organized, featuring poets from India and abroad. Notable participants included Khusbeer Singh Shaad, Pritpal Singh Betab, Dr. Taqi Abedi, Ayaz Rasool Nazki, and Mohan Singh Ulfat, who enthralled the audience with their poetic renditions. The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from university students, faculty members, civil society representatives, and media professionals.
