In connection with Azadi ka Amrit Mohotasav, the department of Urdu, University of Jammu organized one day National seminar on the topic “FIRAQ GORKHPURI KI SHAIRI AUR HINDUSTANI TEHZEEB”. Dr. Taqi Abedi from Canada was the keynote speaker and the Chief Guest of the seminar. The Vice Chancellor of University of Jammu Prof. Manoj Kumar Dhar was preside over the inaugural function while Prof. Quddos Javed, Former HOD Urdu Kashmir University was the Guest of Honour. Prof. Mohd Reyaz Ahmed HOD Urdu, University of Jammu also shared the presidium.
In his keynote speech Dr. Taqi Abedi from Canada highlighted qualities of the head and heart of Firaq Gorkpuri and in detailed described that Raghupati Sahay, better known under his pen name Firaq Gorakhpuri, was a writer, critic, and, according to one commentator, one of the most noted contemporary Urdu poets from India. He established himself among peers including Muhammad Iqbal, Yagana Changezi, Jigar Moradabadi and Josh. Born in a well-to-do Hindu family, Gorakhpuri became a trailblazer in Urdu poetry and the Indian Independence movement.
“Ek muddat se tirī yaad bhī aa.ī na hameñ/ aur ham bhuul ga.e hoñ tujhe aisā bhī nahīñ” by Firaq Gorakhpuri
He even wrote couplets of revolution like:
“dekh raftār-e-inqalāb 'firāq'/ kitnī āhista aur kitnī tez”
His role in the Independence struggle was crucial to fight the then government's effort to label Urdu as a ‘Muslim language’. Dr Abedi described Firaq a poet par excellence and said that the contribution made by the legendary poet in the freedom struggle of India could not be forgetted.
In his presidential address Prof. M.K. Dhar, Vice Chancellor of the University of Jammu congratulated the department of Urdu, University of Jammu for organizing the seminar on a vital topic. He further said that this seminar is the part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mohotsav, which is being celebrated all over the India. The University of Jammu in also organizing many literary and cultural activities under Azadi Ka Amrit Mohotsav. The seminar is a meaningful one, through this the new generation could know that how the legends had play a great role in the freedom struggle of India. The Vice Chancellor offered his full support to the department of urdu and said that theses types of activities would be organized in future, for which urdu department is one of the vibrant department of university added Prof. Dhar.
In his address Prof. Quddoos Javed, Former HOD Urdu Kashmir University also spoke on the occasion and highlighted the role of Firaq Gorkhpuri in the freedom struggle on India. He said that even 39 years after his death, Gorakhpuri – born as Raghupati Sahay – is a beloved treasure of the Urdu community. Despite being born in a Hindu family, he read Urdu and Persian. He recited his first ghazal as a B.A. student. After this, Gorakhpuri became steadily interested in the country’s freedom struggle. Even when he received an opportunity to enter the Provincial Civil Service and the Indian Civil Service-British India, he resigned.
Prof. Shohab Inayat Malik , Principal Institute of Music and Fine Arts, also spoke on the occasion and threw light on Firaq Gorkhpuri explains that after Indian Independence, Gorakhpuri joined the Allahabad University where worked as a lecturer in the English literature.
In his welcome address Prof. Mohd Reyaz Ahmad, HOD Urdu welcome all the Guests , Faculty Members , Civil Society Members, students and scholars for being the part of this seminar. He said that this seminar is one of the part of Azadi Ka Amrit Maohotsav, He said that department of urdu, University of Jammu is trying his best for the welfare of students and scholars of the Univeirtsy, he further said that from this seminar scholars and students could learn more about the Firaq Gorkhpuri ,his work and contribution. He also discussed Firaq Gorakhpuri wrote many poems including Gul-e-Naghma that earned him the Jnanpith Award – the pinnacle of Indian literary awards – and the 1960 Sahitya Akademi Award in Urdu. In 1968, he received both the Padma Bhushan and Soviet Land Nehru Award. Over time, he worked as a Research Professor at the University Grants Commission and Producer Emeritus by All India Radio.On this occasion three compiled books including Kuliyat-e-Firaq Gorakhpuri Kamil-(Ghazals,Rubayiats,Nazams & Dohay) By Dr.Syed Taqi Abedi, Mutala-e-Rubayiyat-Firaq Gorakhpuri-Ma-"Roop"(Tajziya,Tanqeed aur Tadween) by Dr. Syed Taqi Abedi. And Transcript of Gulzar’s Tarveeni into Hindi by Piaray Hatash were also released
The proceeding of the Inaugural function of the seminar was conducted by Dr Chaman lal while vote of thanks was presented by Dr Abdul Rashid Manhas. Later One academic session was conducted in which Research papers were presented, those who present their papers includes Prof. Mohd Kazim from Delhi, Dr Imtiyaz Ahmed from Delhi, Dr Atia Rais from Delhi, Dr Abdul Rashid Manhas and Dr Abdul Haq Naimi and others. The Academic session was presided over by Dr Taqi Abedi, Prof. Shohab Inayat malik, Jb Khalid Hussain and Prof. Mohd Kazim. The proceeding of the academic session was conducted by Dr Farhat Shamim while vote of thanks was presnedt by H.O.D Urdu Prof.Mohd Reyaz Ahmad.
Later a urdu Mushira was also conducted in a jam-packed hall in which legendary poets of the sub-continent recite their poetry. Those who recite their poetry includes Jb Kushbeer Singh Shaad from jalandhar, Khursheed Bismil from Rajouri, Pervaiz Malik from Dharhal Rajouri, Amin Banhali, Ahmad Imtiyaz from Delhi , Ashok Parasfrom Doda , Sham Talib from Jammu and many others.
The seminar as well as Mushira was attended by member of the civil society, Faculty member of the department of urdu and other departments of university. Those who present during the whole function includes Prof. Shohab Inayat Malik, Dr Chaman Lal, Dr Abdul Rashid Manhas, Dr. Farhat Shamim, Khurshid Kazmi, Aseer Kishtwari and many others