Islamabad
It was so good to see some of the most prominent writers, poets, researchers, academicians and journalists gathering at Kishwar Naheed’s place.
Deputy High Commissioner (DHC) of India J P Singh and Press Counsellor Balbir Singh (hope I have not misspelled their names) were also among the guests and definitely drew a lot of attention from the guests at the dinner.
These men and women of pen may have been getting together at other functions too but I have this feeling that they might have never felt so comfortable and easy appreciating and complimenting each other as they were found to be doing at Kishwar’s place.
It was a pleasure to see veteran journalist Ms Shamim Ikramul Haq after her recovery from illness as well as Jalil Aali, a well-known poet, who is recovering from the heart surgery he underwent recently. Shamim Ikramul Haq came on a wheelchair and seemed to be in high spirits as she engaged in discussions enthusiastically.
Other prominent present were highly-respected Professor Fateh Mohammad Malik, Ms Khawar Mumtaz, chairperson of the National Commission on Status of Women; Ashfaq Saleem Mirza, the bureaucrat-poet, Shakeel Jazeb; Dr Munaza, the professor of English at the International Islamic University (IIU); Dr Najeeba Arif, assistant professor at IIU; Dr Inamul Haq Javed, chairman of the National Book Foundation; Qasim Bughio, chairman of the Pakistan Academy of Letters; Malik Furrukh Yar Khan, Ms Razio Bughio, the retired director education of Islamabad; Irfan Siddiqui, the human rights activist; Tahira Abdullah and Ms Samina Nazir.
Two leading female journalists (in addition to Shamim Ikramul Haq) present at the reception were Ms Mariana Baabar and Ms Arifa Noor.
The chatter was incessant and the topics ranged from literature, history, drama and poetry with the ‘serpents’ of politics and diplomacy raising their heads often because of the presence of the Deputy High Commissioner of India J P
Singh and Balbir Singh.
It seemed there was so much one could learn and understand from these people present in the drawing room of Kishwar Naheed, herself a prominent poetess, writer and women’s rights activist. And if the young generation is not approaching these people to benefit from their experience and knowledge, then it is a grave mistake on their part.
J P Singh was engaged with the two journalists, both so well-versed with diplomacy and issues between the two nuclear-armed neighbouring countries and seemed to be soaking information flowing around in the room but giving away hardly enough in return. It was all pleasant and a promise for a better future in future.
Dr Munazza was eager to highlight as to since how long the women of the sub-continent had entered the field of journalism and according to her research women have been writing for magazines and periodicals since somewhere in the middle of the 19th century. So, one can hardly accept that the women of the sub-continent, and especially the Muslim women, were kept in the background by males. They had made their presence felt in the field of journalism against all odds and this courage must be acknowledged and appreciated.
It was a sumptuous dinner that Kishwar Naheed laid for the distinguished guests and the fact that there were hardly any ‘leftovers’ lying on the table by the time the doors closed. Even Balbir Singh, the Indian Press Counsellor, a strict vegetarian, found enough to replenish his plate. J P Singh seemed to have a sweet tooth! He paid a particular attention to the sweet dish made of walnuts and even suggested to other guests around the table not to miss it.
As the guests were leaving, they must be thinking about receiving another invitation from Kishwar Naheed soon!