Excelsior Correspondent
RAJOURI, Apr 3: Himalayan Education Mission Rajouri organized one-day literary conference at Himalayan College campus Thandikassi in which a galaxy of socio-educational luminaries poets writers, academicians, teachers and members of civil society of Peer Panchaal Region graced the occasion.
The programme was chaired by Prof Quddos Javed an internationally acclaimed Urdu critic and scholar whereas, Krishan Kumar Toor, an eminent poet and writer of international fame presided over the function. Dr Alamdar Adam, Cultural Officer J&K Cultural Academy Rajouri rendered support for it.
Earlier, a condolence meeting was held to pay tribute to Late Nisar Rahi, a socio-educational legend, peace activist, eminent poet and writer of Peer Panchaal region, who left for heavenly abode on Feb 19, 2023. A two-minute silence was also observed in honour of Late Rahi and Kuldip Raj Gupta and a comprehensive documentary titled RAHNUMA on the life and contribution of Nisar Rahi, presented by Himalayan Education Mission Rajouri was also released with special video and condolence messages by various prominent figures including Ravinder Raina State president BJP, former Chief Ministers of J&K Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti, Vibodh Gupta former MLC and State general secretary BJP, Altaf Bukhari president Apni Party, Rashid Qureshi former MLC, Zafar Manhas former secretary J&K Cultural Academy, Mohd Farooq Muztar Founder Patron Himalayan Mission Rajouri, Dinesh Sharma Distt president BJP and others.
Nazir Qureshi, an eminent writer and columnist presented the keynote address highlighting the outstanding contribution made by Nisar Rahi towards education, peace building, Pahari & Urdu language and literature.
Among others, the prominent who spoke on the occasion were Ahmed Shanas, Khurshid Bismil, Prof MB Magray, Mohd Aslam Mirza, Krishan Kumar Toor, Syed Mohd Azam Shah, Mumtaz Mir SSP (Elder son of Late Rahi), Pervaiz Sheikh Addl Session Judge Poonch, MN Qureshi, Dr Mumtaz Shah, Subash Sharma, KK Khaki, Haji Mohd Yaqoob.
In the second half, the release ceremony of five-decade old trendsetter Urdu literary journal of Peer Panchaal DHANAK (Quarterly) edited by Mohd Farooq Muztar, presented with a new get-up, published by Dabistan-e-Himalya Himalayan Education Mission Rajouri was held involving the prominent literary figures of Jammu and Kashmir.
To recognize and acknowledge the life long contribution in the field of language and literature, Himalayan Education Mission Rajouri conferred various awards.
Prof Quddus Javed was honoured with `The Man of Letters Award- 2023′, Krishan Kumar Toor …`The man of Letters Award- 2023′, Late Kuldeep Raj Gupta … Fakhar-e-Himaala Award (Posthumously), Late Nisar Rahi— Fakhr -e-Himaala Award (Posthumously), Ahmad Shanas—Fakhr -e-Himaala Award. Umer Farhat … Felicitated for being conferred Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar, Dr Mushtaq Ahmed Wani— Fakhr -e-Himaala Award, Dr Rafiq Anjum…. Fakhr- e-Himaala Award, Nazir Qureshi… Fakhr -e-Pir Panchal Award, Nazir Qureshi…..Fakhr -e-Pir Panchal Award 2023, Mohd Ayoub Shabnam ….Fakhr-e-Pir Panchal Award and Zanafar Khokhar— Fakhr- e-Pir Panchal Award- 2023.