Proper coverage to literary events on PTV promised
ISLAMABAD- Federal Culture Minister Co1 (retd) S.K.Tressler promised proper coverage to literary activities on the electronic media as that was necessary to keep peoples’ interest alive in the higher values of life.
He was presiding over a well-attended ceremony of poet Rashid Amin’s book of verse, Sehra mein phoowar, launching under the auspices of literary organization ‘Aeena.’
Malik Fidaur Rahman, president of ‘Aeena’ drew the minister’s attention to the absence of Pakistan Television (PTV) cameramen at the literary functions.
The minister in his brief speech praised the poet for his simple style and directness. Quoting from the poetÂ’s work, he appealed to writers to work for national awakening and the need to give to the country rather than making constant demands on its meager resources.
He admired the spirit of unity among the various writers groups who were present at the function.
Speaking on the occasion Iftikhar Arif, Chairman Pakistan Academy of Letters, urged new writers to work hard on their craft and take their calling seriously as it was not a pastime. It demanded full commitment, laborious work and devotion. Talent alone was not enough.
He said he saw promise in the new writers as the old debate whether art served life or was that for its own sake had become redundant.
The new poet and the new writer were all writing with a strong sense of the real and that which they saw as the truth.
He praised Rashid Amin’s first collection as he found promise in its attachment to life and commitment to man.
Earlier Aisha Malik, Tahir Mustafa, Asghar Abid, Mehboob Zafar, Prof Ahsan Akbar, none of whom knew the poet personally, presented their critical appreciation of his verse.
They pointed to some technical flaws in his verse but nearly all upheld his forthrightness and had a word of praise for his simple diction.
Rashid Amin was born at Haripur but lived mostly in Karachi where he was inspired by his teacher Prof Hashim Jalali at the D. J College.
Sehra mein Phoowar has been published by Alhamd Publications, Lahore. The book comprises 166 pages it is priced at Rs l00
Source: Dawn
Date:6/12/2001
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