University Debating and Literary Club (UDLC), Cultural Educational Center (CEC), Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) celebrated the birth anniversary Allama Iqbal, the great Urdu poet through a series of events collectively called “Darkhshaa’n- Ek Jashn Urdu Ka”. The event’s main focus was the promotion of Urdu language.
The celebrations started on 7th November 2016 with a quiz competition on Urdu literature and literary figures. Shabaz Alam and Faisal Sawood won a joint prize. The second event was an essay writing competition on ‘Iqbal aur Hindustan’ held on the 8th November. Tanweer Ahmad got the first prize while Rahnuma Bano and Adeeba Siddique were the runner ups.
The recitation of self composed Urdu poetry competition was also held on the 8th of November where Mariyam Saniya bagged the First prize when Abdul Mannan Samedi and Sobia Shakeel stood second and third respectively. While a calligraphy competition and a poster making competition on ‘Development of Urdu’ was held on 11th November. Shabnoor, Swaliha Khalil and Tabassum Khan won the first, second and third prizes respectively in the calligraphy competition.
The Poster Making Competition was won by Gulnaz Parveen, Yashfeen Fatima and Umm-e-Habiba. Poster making was later followed by a speech competition on ‘Sir Syed Ki Adbi Khidmaat’ on 12th of November. Faisal Sawood, Javed Ashraf and Tanwir Ahmad bagged the first, second and third positions respectively. All competitions witnessed mass participation. The valedictory ceremony was scheduled for 15th of November.
The much awaited valedictory ceremony was started with the recitation of the Verses from the Holy Qur’an. Dr. Syed Siraj Ajmali, Associate Professor, Department of Urdu, welcomed everyone with his words. It was followed by a speech by Mateen Ashraf, of Urdu Honors. Iqbal’s classic Shikhwa- Jawab-e-Shikwa was performed by the members of the University Drama Club. Azhar Uddin, a student of Diploma Engineering verbalized a ‘Qissa’. Anusha Malik, recited a ‘Nazm’ of famous poet Iqbal Ashaar, “Urdu Hai Mera Naam, Main Khusrau Ki Paheli”. A play, Tamasha, was enacted by Amir Khan of the University Drama Club. Winners of the various competitions were felicitated by senior faculty member at Department of Persian, AMU, Professor Azarmi Dukht Safavi and famous poet Jamuna Prasad Rahi.
Jamuna Prasad Rahi, a renowned Urdu poet of Aligarh, the Guest of Honor, was then invited to speak a few words. He praised the performers was well as the winners. He recited his poetry and the crowd cheered in applause. He was then honored with a memento by Dr. Syed Siraj Ajmali. Professor Azarmi Dukht Safavi, Department of Persian, the Guest of Honor pointed out the beauty of Urdu language and said that the youth was responsible for its revival. The CEC coordinator F.S.Sherani presented a memento to her.
Wajahat Jilani, Secretary of University Debating and Literary Club, proposed the vote of thanks. He thanked the guests for their time the coordinators and the students. The vote of thanks was followed by performances by the University Hindustani Music Club (UHMC).
