GCU LAHORE literati pay tribute to Farkhana Lodhi

Majlis-e-Iqbal Government College University Lahore on Tuesday paid a glowing tribute to Farkhanda Lodhi a noted Punjabi and Urdu fiction writer and a recipient of President's Pride of Performance, at a national reference. Prof. Dr Saleem Akhtar chaired the reference which was attended by a large number scholars and students from all over the country. The family members of the late Farkhanda Lodhi including her husband Prof. Sabir Lodhi and daughter Siasha Khan also spoke on the occasion.

In his is message, GCU Vice Chancellor Prof. Khalid Aftab says that Farkhanda Lodhi knew the art of surprising her readers. “She makes them share the same pain and feelings that was felt by her characters,” he said. Professor Khalid Aftab also paid her tribute for her services to the Government College Library.

Addressing the reference, Dr Saleem Akhtar said that that inequality, cruelty, injustice and corruption heightened the disappointment and sorrows of Farkhanda Lodhi and writing was the only means of ventilation.

The late writer’s husband, a noted writer, Prof. Sabir Lodhi said Farkhanda believed that women refine society and a country can not progress where a woman is supposed to walk a step behind man. Prof Sabir Lodhi told the audience that Farkhanda wrote ‘Parvati’ in reaction to the Indo-Pak war of 1965, as she was deeply depressed by the situation of the two countries and her emotions came out in form ‘Parvati’. “In this short story, Frakhanda highlighted that while the men went to war, it was the woman who suffered, regardless of who she was or which country she lived in,” Sabir Lodhi said.

Saisha Khan shared with the audience the very last moments that she spent with the late writer. She also said that her mother lived her life for others. 

GCU Chief Librarian Abdul Waheed highlighted the managerial qualities of Farkhanda Lodhi, saying that as the chief librarian at the Government College Lahore, Lodhi rearranged the library’s 150 years old record and preserved the centuries-old books for the generations to come. He said that she automated all the record of the library with the help her few students and colleagues in just two years as the services of IT specialists were not available to the library at that time.

Prof. Nabeela Kiyani paying tribute to the works of Frakhanda Lodhi said the birth of a novelist reflects the cultural level of the society. “It shows that the people in that society are not selfish and they feel of the sufferings of other people,” she added.

GCU Urdu Department Chairperson Saadat Saeed said that the death of Frakhanda Lodhi came as a big blow to the feminism movement in Pakistan as the renowned Urdu and Punjabi writer was the prominent voice of women in the country. However, he said that Farkhanda Lodhi was equally popular with Punjabi circles in India also.

Majlis-e-Iqbal Adviser Prof. Tariq Zaidi, Mahmood-ul-Hassan Bazmi and a large number of other scholars also paid tribute

Later, the teachers and students prayed to the Allah Almighty for the salvation for the soul of Farkhanda Lodhi and patience for their siblings.

(07-07-2010)

GCU opens Noon Meem Rashid Seminar Hall

Shahzad Ahmed Director Majlis-e-Taraqi-e-Adab Lahore inaugurated Noon Meem Rashid Seminar Hall at the Pg Library GCU Lahore, while Academy of Letters Chairman Iftikhar Arif handed over the literary chronicle maintained by N.M Rashid to the Prof. Khalid Aftab Vice Chancellor GCU Lahore. Iftikhar Arif commended the role of GCU in preserving the literary heritage of the Sub-continent. 

Speaking on the occasion, Shahzad Ahmed stressed the need to explore the literary nuances in the poetic works of NM Rashid. He lauded GCU’s efforts in compiling an anthology of criticism on Rashid’s poetic art by a distinguished Urdu professor, Dr Tabassum Kashmiri, which was expected to be published at the centenary birth anniversary of the poet.

Presiding over the inauguration ceremony of the NM Rashid Seminar Hall, Professor Aftab recollected memories of GCU’s struggle to commemorate the invaluable services of legendary old Ravians of such rare vintage as Professor Abdus Salam, Faiz Ahmed Faiz and NM Rashid.

The Advisor Majlis-e-Iqbal Tariq Zaidi elaborated upon the literary contribution of Rashid and his passionate association with his alma mater, GCU. He also announced that the GCU Urdu Department would host an international seminar on NM Rashid in October this year. The ceremony was attended by the literati of Lahore in huge numbers.

(12-04-2010)

GCU opens Faiz Seminar Hall  

The GC University paying tribute to eminent Urdu poet has set up late Faiz Ahmed Faiz Seminar Hall at the University. “The GCU will keep the traditions of Faiz Ahmed Faiz alive. These have been handed over to us by a generation of good teachers and students and we will keep transferring them to the future generations. These traditions are like lamppost which guides us to prosperity, peace and progress,” The Vice Chancellor Dr Khalid Aftab said the   inauguration of the Faiz Ahmed Faiz Seminar Hall. He also highlighted the various aspects of Faiz’s personality. “Faiz was a very humble person. His love for humanity was free of the prejudice of race, colour or nationality, he said.

Speaking on the occasion, Hammed Akhtar, the chief guest of the ceremony, said that Faiz had a very positive approach towards life. “Apart from a revolutionary poet, he was also a poet of beauty and love, and there was no differed between the three, love, beauty and revolution had become identical in him,’ he added.  The ceremony was arranged by the Majlis-e-Iqbal. The GUC’s deans, academic and administrative heads, faculty and students were present on the occasion.  

(09-04-2010)

GC UNIVERSITY LIBRARY LAHORE receives Dastan-i-Amir Hamzah

The GC University Library Lahore has received the digital copies of Dastan-i-Amir Hamzah from the Center for Research Libraries, Chicago University, USA. (more)

(07-10-2010)

Majlis-e-Iqbal GCU Lahore REMEMBERS FAIZ AHMAD FAIZ

The GC University on Friday resonated with the memory of Faiz, one of the most top poet of Urdu. Majlis-e-Iqbal GC University Lahore had organised a special function to pay tribute to the great Urdu poet Faia Ahmed Faiz on his 25th death anniversary. The GCU is Faiz’s alma mater from where he earned his BA and MA’s degrees. The function attended by a large number of students and university’s faculty members also included special music performances on Faiz’s poetry by the university’s students.

Faiz’s Poem published in the RAVI 1931,

a literary magazine of the GC University Lahore

Urdu Department Chairman Dr Saadat Saeed highlighted the different aspects of Faiz’s personality and his revolutionary poetry. He said Faiz had used the word ‘Mehboob’ as a metaphor in various ways. Prof. Nabeela Kyani from English department presented a paper on Faiz, saying that he was against fascism, oppression and illiteracy. “Faiz preached beauty, justice, equality and enlightenment throughout his life,” she added. Prof. Tariq Zaidi and Prof. Dr. Shafiq Ajmi talked about the revolutionary style of Faiz Ahmed Faiz. They said Faiz took the Urdu poetry into a new phase, adding that he introduced new methods of presenting thoughts. Faiz used metaphors which added to the richness of words. The two professors also shared the memories of their personal meetings with the great poet.

On this occasion, the members of Nazir Ahmad Music Society paid tribute to the poet by holding special music gala. The students sang the famous poems of Faiz. Saad Farooq raised the roof “Roshan Kahin Bahar Ka Imkan Hota Tu Hian” and  Nazia Hassan sang “Muj Sa Phele Se Mohabat Mera Mehboob Na Mang,”. Shan Abbass and Komail Hassan also performed.

(21-11-2009)

GCU MUSIC SOCIETY LAHORE RESOUNDS WITH KALAM-E-IQBAL

Nazir Ahmad Music Society organized a special music gala to pay tribute to the great national poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal. The Iqbal’s powerful mystic poetry coupled with strong compositions and students’ melodious voices held the audience spellbound.

Prof. Shafiq Ajmi Nazir Ahmed Advisor the Society opened the concert by singing the various famous verses of Iqbal’s poetry. As the music gala gains momentum, the students took over the driving seat.

Muhammad Saad Farooq, a BA (Hons) Part III semester, struck up the Iqbal’s poem that he has written during his stay in London, “Tu Abhi Rahguzar Mein Hai, Qaid-E-Makaam Se Guzar”.

Imran Fida, a student of BA (Hons) First Semester, sang “Auron Ka Payam Aur, Mera Payam Aur Hai” (my style is different from others). Hassan Maqsood highlighted the Iqbal’s message for Muslim Unity by singing “Aik Hoon Muslim Haram Ki Pasbani Ke Liye.” It was a tough poem to sing but, however, he manages to come up to the expectation of the audience.

The performance of Shan Abbass on the Iqbal’s ghazal “Yeh Gumbad- e-Minaii (the bottle of wine)” also met with a loud applause. Asifa Hina sang “Terey ishq ki inteha chahta hon, Meri saadgi dekh, kya chahta hon – Bhari mehfil main raaz ki baat keh di, Bara bayadab hon, saza chahta hon” in her low but very melodious sound. A large number of other students also sang the various poems of Iqbal.

With their last very triumphant group performance “Adam is received by the sprit of Earth”, the GCU Music Society made the event memorable forever. The musicians and singer of music society raised the roof “Khool Ankh Zameen Dakh Falak Dakh Fiza Dakh (Open eyes look above), Mushriq sa ubharte hue sooraj ko zara dekh (See the Sun rising from the East). Music Society Vice President Saad Farooq sang each verse as a solo and then everyone joined in on the chorus. Overall, it was an awesome performance.

Addressing the closing ceremony, Saddique Awan Co-advisor GCUDS and Prof. Tariq Zaidi Advisor Majlis-e-Iqbal lauded the efforts of the Music Event for organizing a wonderful evening in connection with the Iqbal’s birth anniversary.

(17-11-2009)

GCU FACULTY DISCUSSES IQBAL’S POETRY

The Majlis-e-Iqbal organised a seminar-cum-meeting in connection with the Iqbal Day. A good number of teachers of Urdu, Persian and Philosophy departments discussed and highlighted the services of Iqbal for Muslims and different aspects of his poetry. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Khalid Sajarani told the participants about the stay our great national poet in Germany and its effects on the whole Europe. Dr Shafiq Ajmi discussed the Allama Iqbal’s letters to different literary people. The speakers also said that the major portion of Iqbal’s poetry reflects Islamic teachings.

(12-11-2009)

MAJLIS-E-IQBAL DELEGATION VISITS IQBAL’S MAUSOLEUM

A delegation of teachers and students the University lead by Prof. Tariq Zaidi has visited Iqbal’s mausoleum and laid floral a wreath. They also offered fateha for the soul of the great national poet. It is pertinent to mention here that GCU Lahore is the alma-mater of the great philosopher and poet.

(11-11-2009)

Majli-e-iqbal has organizes a lecture stay of Iqbal in Germany

Majlis-e-Iqbal GC University Lahore has organized a lecture-cum-discussion on the topic of ‘Iqbal and Germany’. Dr. Khalid Sajarani who has recently completed his Post doc on Allama Muhammad Iqbal from Germany was the key speaker. The lecture was ended with the critical questions by the University students. He told students that Allama Iqbal’s poem ‘Aik Sham’ was written on a stone at the Younger River. Dr Khalid also highlighted the cultural and historical importance of these places. He said that Iqbal’s dream of nationalism is being materialized in the Europe instead of Pakistan. He also told the students about the culture, political and educational systems of Germany. 

(20-10-2009)

A SPECIAL SESSION OF MAJLIS-E-IQBAL WITH Dr. Khurshid Rizvi

Majlis-e-Iqbal GC University Lahore arranged a special literary session with Dr. Khurshid Rizvi emeritus professor Persian at N. M. Rashid auditorium of Pg library. Dr. Saadat Hassan Saeed, chairperson of Urdu department presided the session. A brief introduction of Dr. Khurshid Rizvi literary, academic and research work was given to the audiences. In-charge Majlis-e-Iqbal conducted the session.

While addressing the audience Dr. Khurshid Rizvi said a balanced mind was a combination of many things and ideas. Regarding Urdu language, he said it was the only existing language exists that did not restrict to a region. However, he added that as far as teaching purposes were concerned, Urdu was one of the difficult languages in the world. Discussing about Jordan he said that Jordon started from Bilad-e-Sham in Islamic history and observed that Jordon was a country of peaceful and endurable people.  He told that there were many Islamic, Christian and Jew archeological sites which were source of revenue generation for Jordon.

(08-06-2009)

PROF. Dr. Sohail Ahmad Khan left us with melancholy: Vice Chancellor GCU Lahore

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Majlis-e-Iqbal and Urdu Department jointly organized a literary reference for late Prof. Dr. Sohail Ahmad Khan Dean Faculty of Language, Islamic and Oriental GCU Lahore. Addressing the reference Prof. Dr. Khalid Aftab Vice Chancellor said Dr. Sohail Ahmad Khan was a strong believer of teaching inter-disciplinary subjects to students and with his help and guidance we got it done”. He said that we have been deprived from an excellent teacher and a great scholar. Dr. Khalid Aftab said “He left us with melancholy and deep void silence”.

Vice Chancellor GCU, Intazar Hussain and Khuram Ahmad Khan (L to R)

Renowned short story writer and critique Intizar Hussain said that he Dr. Sihail was not only a poet but also a great teacher and a scholar of urdu literature. He said that his relationship with Nasir Kazmi, Amanat Ali Khan and Munir Niazi had a deep impact on his work. ‘Dastaan Nawisi’ has not been given much importance during 1857 to 1947. After independence Ahmad Hassan Askari and Shams-ur-Rehman Farooqi contributed lot of work, however Dr. Sohail Ahmad Khan explored its various dimensions was unique. He further said late Sohail had a deep knowledge of symbols in ‘Dastaan’. He not only had a command on eastern literature but had an equal command on western thoughts. Khuram Ahmad Khan revealed many aspects of Dr. Sohail’s personal life. He said that he was not only a scholar and a teacher but also a journalist. He also published a newspaper. Dr. Asghar Nadeem Sayed said that Dr. Sohail Ahmad Khan was the unique example of those literary figures that not only used the modern and classic literary techniques but also disseminated it to his students. On the occasion Masood Ashar, Prof. Aqeel Ahmad Rubi, Zulfiqar Tabish, Riaz Chaudary and Prof. Tariq Zaidi addressed the reference. Many literary personalities, teachers and a large number of students was attended the reference.

(28-03-2009)

MAJLIS-E-IQBAL ARRANGES LECTURE ON CALLIGRAPHY

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Majlis-e-Iqbal of the GC University Lahore arranged a special Lecture on Calligraphy which was delivered by Mr. Khurshid Aalm Gohar, Head Department of Calligraphy of NCA. He discussed the different aspect of Calligraphy. He was of the opinion that by using the Calligraphy we can promote the cultural traditional and social values of the society but also can also highlight the beauty of the nature. On the occasion, a large number of teachers and students were also present.

(01-01-2009)

Majlis-e-Iqbal ORGANIZES A Lecture on Miniature Painting

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Majlis-e-Iqbal organized a special lecture on Miniature Painting in Fazal-e-Hussain reading room. Ms. Fatima Zahra Hassan from National College of Art Lahore delivered the lecture. She explained step by step process of miniature painting and also elaborated the procedure adopted in brush and paper preparation. The Dean Faculty of languages, Islamic and Oriental learning thanked and appreciated the contents of the guest lecture. The Dean also presented GCU souvenir to the guest speaker. A large number of teachers and students were present on the occasion.

(29-12-2008)

MAJLIS-E-IQBAL PAYS TRIBUTE TO THE POET OF THE EAST

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A delegation of Majlis-e-Iqbal led by Prof. Tariq Zaidi visited the mausoleum of Allama Muhammad Iqbal, laid floral wreath and offered fatiha. It is worth remembering that “ALLAMA IQBAL” remained associated with the then Government College Lahore as a student and later, as a teacher.

(11-11-2008)

MAJLIS-E-IQBAL ORGANIZES CONDOLENCE CEREMONY ON THE SAD DEMISE OF LATE RUSSELL

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Majlis-e-Iqbal organized a special literary sitting in the Fazal-e-Hussain Hall of the University.  Dean Faculty of Languages, Islamic and Oriental Learning Dr. Sohail Ahmed Khan presided over the ceremony while Begum Fehmida Ibadat was the gust speaker. She Begum Fehmida highlighted the different aspects of the personality of a research scholar and senior most teacher of Urdu Language and Literature in Britain late Ralph Russell. She further said that ideologically, Russell was a revolutionist. She apprised the audience that Russell was close friend of late Dr. Ibadat Brailvi and he used to have literary interactions with Dr. Ibadat throughout his life. She said that Russell had keen interest in the literature and culture of Pakistan. She further said that Russell went back to London after partition and he joined school of African and Oriental Studies. She said that Russell died at the age of 90.

Dean of languages, Islamic and Oriental learning Dr. Sohail Ahmed Khan also spoke on the occasion and described Russell’s affiliation with Urdu Language and Literature. He said that literature is born in the society and the circumstances of the society influence upon the writer. “While talking about the Russell’s literary taste in Urdu Language and literature, we feel that we are interacting with a civilization”, Dr. Sohail observed. Dr. Sohail Ahmed Khan presented a souvenir shield to the guest speaker Begum Fehmida Ibadat. Prof. Tariq Zaidi conducted the proceedings.

(25-10-2008)

Majlis-e-Iqbal CONDOLENCES ON THE SAD DEMISE OF FARAZ

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Majlis-e-Iqbal has expressed grief and sorrow on the sad demise of country’s renowned poet Ahmed Faraz. In order to pay tribute to late poet, a meeting of Majlis-e-Iqbal was held here today which was presided over by the Dean of Languages, Islamic and Oriental Learning Dr. Sohail Ahmed Khan. The poetry of Ahmed Faraz in the realm of Urdu poetry was highly appreciated. Later, fatiha was offered for the departed soul.

(27-08-2008)

GCU Majlas-e-Iqbal DELEGATION VISITS MAZAR-E-IQBAL

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The GCU Majlas-e-Iqbal delegation headed by Prof. Asghar Nadeem Syed today visited Mazar-e-Iqbal, layed floral wreath and offered fateha. The Majlas-e-Iqbal has the honor to pay tribute to the poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal by holding lectures, seminars and inter-varsity quiz activities throughout the year. It is pertinent to mention here that GCU Lahore has been the alma-mater of the poet who gave the vision of an independent state for the Muslims of sub-continent. 

(21-04-2008)

Indian literary figures speaks about Ghalib and Urdu Gazal at GCU

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The Majlis-e-Iqbal of the GCU Lahore arranged a literary sitting in the Fazl-i-Husain Hall which was participated by faculty, literary figures and students.  

Siddique-ur-Rehman Qudwai of the Ghalib Institute Delhi, while expressing his views said that Lahore is a great ancient city and is a hub of Urdu literary circle in the passing age. He also detailed the poetry and the poetic style of Ghalib.

Prof. Shamim Hanfi of the Jamia Milia Islamia Delhi, talked about the tradition of ghazal. He specially detailed the ghazal style of Nasir Kazmi and also referred other poets like Munir Niazi and Ahmed Mushtaq in perspective of urdu ghazal.

Dean of Languages, oriental and Islamic learning Dr. Sohail Ahmed Khan said that GCU is striving to retain the exquisite work in language and literature like its glorious past. He thanked the Indian speakers for taking their time out to visit GCU and had a literary sitting

Addressing on the occasion, Intizar Hussain said that our institutions lack discipline and congenial interactive environment. He said our intellectuals and writers should have interaction with the scholars of the other countries also. He apprised the audience about his recent visit to India where he visited various universities like Jamia Milia Delhi and Ali Garh University. He also appreciated the efforts made by the universities for extending high profile academic work in Urdu language and literature.

The program proceedings were conducted by Prof. Dr. Asghar Nadeem Syed.

(26-03-2008)