| JuryFury.com
Now Every 15th of the Month ! Online School of Politics |
|||
| Areas of Interest THE USA American Foreign Policy US House and Senate US Presidents State & Local Politics Regional Politics Politics of China The British Commonwealth Indian Subcontinent Middle East The European Union Africa Latin America ASEAN NATO United Nations The Non-aligned Movement Eastern Europe New Nations of the 20th Century General Topics Constitutional Law Human Rights Nuclear Disarmament & Treaties International Warfare Environmental Law Peace Treaties Economic & Social Alliances International Organizations Journalism & Media Racism and Democracy Women in the Workplace Family Law Courts and Practices The Judicial System Higher Education Education and Government Health Care & Insurance Rights of the Disabled Copyright & Working Online Legal Representation Legal Insurance Pornography Domestic Violence Religion & Law Workers Rights Employers Rights Prison & Life after Social Organizations Welfare & Poverty Taxation and Democracy Third World Aid Programs Space Exploration Alternative Energy Petroleum Industry & Cars Nuclear Power Programs for the Arts Sports Education Policing the Internet Privacy and freedom Immigration Food and Regulation War on Drugs War on Pharmaceuticals Public Housing Pollution and Control Sexual Harrassment Discrimination Electoral Process Consumers Rights Investors Rights Abortion Death Penalty Social Security Gender & Sexuality Grassroots Organization ACLU World Watch Oxfam UNICEF United Negro Fund Ford Foundation (suggestions welcome at our chatsite) Law of the Economy Join I-Traderschool, our sister magazine, for debates and news. |
Canada
South Asians Honor Professor of Urdu, Gopi Chand Narang by Javed Zaheer TORONTO, July 4, 2004: The city of Toronto is the centre of excellence in many ways and unmistakably and proudly boasts of having and hosting most of the best and brilliant brains of the world. It can undoubtedly be declared The Brightest Star and Heart and Soul of Canada. It is a flower whose fragrance and charm attracts butterflies and bees from all over the world. A tree loaded with sweetest fruits of knowledge. No wonder The Almighty has placed Canada on top of the world. Contribution of the immigrants, particularly South Asian community, is tremendous in helping Toronto achieve this highest peak and respectable status. Every now and then you keep hearing of great personalities and stars visiting Toronto. The social, cultural and intellectual activities are greatly increasing the richness of the society. It is only the beginning and the age of richness is tender but the growth is very fast. When it comes to the objective and challenges --- Introduction, Recognition and Acceptance --- the people are on the right track, competing and successfully moving with full thrust towards their goal of joining the mainstream and system. The tribute, support and cooperation they rightly deserve are due now. For bringing people closer and working together, all we need to do is to think broadly and act wisely. We must seriously and sincerely think what we can do for Canada, people and humanity. Let’s act now. On June 25, 2004, a grand function to pay tributes to one of the greatest intellectuals of the world, Prof Gopi Chand Narang, was organized by Urdu Times USA and Canada at the Maple Banquet Hall in Mississauga. It was presided by another world’s one of the greatest figures, a legend and the leading authority on Urdu, Dr Shanul Haq Haqqee. Prof G. C. Narang is also a world renowned authority on Urdu. Prof Gopi Chand Narang came from India while Dr Shanul Haq Haqqee is from Pakistan but now lives in Canada. Both are intellectual giants of South Asia. Dr Syed Taghi Abedi, himself a great intellectual, was the moderator. A Mushaira, which was a must with such gathering, was also held. The moderator was Vakil Ansari. The hall was full of cream of personalities, intellectuals and media giants, mostly world class and no less, including Himayat Ali Shair, Monnoo Bhai, Amjad Islam Amjad from Pakistan, Raza Ali Abidi of BBC London, Manzurul Amin of Doordarshan TV India, Ashfaq Hussain of Asian Television Network in Toronto, Haroon Siddiqui of Toronto Star. The personalities included Caroline Parish, MP, and Ghalib Iqbal, Consul General of Pakistan in Toronto. The list is very long. Those who spoke on the occasion and paid rich tributes to Prof Gopi Chand Narang and Urdu language included Dr Shanul Haq Haqqee, Manzurul Amin, Raza Ali Abidi, Monnoo Bhai, Amjad Islam Amjad, Ashfaq Hussain, Himayat Ali Shair, Munir Saami, Wali Alam Shaheen, Vakil Ansari, Dr Syed Taghi Abedi and Ghalib Iqbal. MISMANAGEMENT: Dr Shanul Haq Haqqee, who presided over the function, got the least time to speak about Prof G. C. Narang. He was almost deprived of the chance because of lengthy speeches, which were no doubt highly informative and very interesting. The delicious dinner too was served very late and Prof Gopi Chand Narang kept pointing towards this. He felt awkward on seeing the uneasiness of the people and kept assuring the audience that he will not keep them hungry for long. He said that he should be called empty stomach speaker instead of keynote speaker. He stated that he attended four functions before this and the fate was the same ---empty stomach speaker. He advised the people not to attend empty stomach Urdu functions or else get starved. Because of this Narang could not deliver his best and said: “I am proud of those people who speak first and get a lot of time.” This was a slap on the face of the organizer. The organizer, Urdu Times of USA and Canada, who claim to be champion of print media and voice of the community, miserably failed to realize the importance of The Great Haqqee whereas he was the only person in the whole gathering, being the authority, whose words would have carried the most weight. How unfortunate and what a pity. This tendency of handling the personalities in such manners must be strictly checked. This keeps happening and we never learn any lesson. Sorry, this cannot be tolerated and encouraged. Prof Gopi Chand Narang, in his address, said: “Urdu is a miracle of languages. Because it is a language of communication that is why it is spoken worldwide and is spreading very fast. In the Sub-Continent it is suffering due to many reasons including narrow visions and deliberate neglect but despite the setbacks and obstacles it is growing very fast because of one of its best qualities---it rules the mind and media.” Narang traced the history of Urdu and said: “There is no other language except Urdu which got several names in the last 7 to 8 centuries. Even Hindi and Hindustani are the names of Urdu. No borders dare stop its spread. It’s like a fragrance. The other languages were and are being greatly influenced and Urduised. It knows how to freely project and fully protect its identity and status. It definitely is charismatic.” He paid tributes to Amir Khusro, Maulana Muhammad Ali Jauhar, Ghalib, Mir and other greats and said they were genius and contributed tremendously towards richness of Urdu language and the society. Our ghazals are one of the best collections in the world, he stated. Narang said: “Hussain the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was a symbol of principles and examples. His sacrifice is very great. We have to pay great sacrifices to speak, protect and promote the truth. This he has taught us.” He said: “The names of Ghalib and Iqbal have reached even the rugged and mountainous areas of Balochistan in Pakistan. This shows the popularity of Urdu and makes one think as to why Urdu should not prosper.” Prof G.C. Narang belonged to Balochistan and he was referring to Ghalib Iqbal, Consul General of Pakistan, who also belongs to Balochistan. He stated that the function should have been named Jashn-e-Urdu instead of Jashn-e-Prof Gopi Chand Narang. The word Jashn does not fit events of poets and intellectuals, he pointed out. Narang said he has been visiting Toronto for the last 22 years and hopes to celebrate the silver jubilee of his visits. His one son lives in Toronto, Canada, and the other in New York, USA. Dr Shanul Haq Haqqee said: “Narang is not fond of praises but the fact is that he deserves great praises and appreciations because of his contribution and unique style.” Ghalib Iqbal, Consul general of Pakistan in Toronto, said: “We must make sure that the ties of Urdu with the new and coming generations are not broken or weakened at any cost. Narang is a great Urdu leader and teacher for these generations.” He stated that while in 8th class he was under the impression that Narang was a woman and for this he was punished and asked to write 500 times that Narang was a man. Even after reaching the 499 figure he was not sure whether Narang was a man or woman but today after meeting this great personality he is convinced that Narang is not only a man but possesses great qualities. He said that Toronto rightly deserves the title of City of Urdu because of the number of intellectuals here and their rich and positive contributions. Manzurul Amin, who had served as the Additional Director General of Doordarshan TV India and is a very reputed and popular Muslim figure of India, said that Prof G.C. Narang’s vision is macro and not micro. He believes in perfect communication to avoid confusion. He is a great personality and deserves to be the chairman of Sahitya Academy, whose previous chairmen used to be prime ministers. Urdu would benefit greatly under his guidance, he added. Himayat Ali Shair said: “We can only understand Narang and his worth through his work. There is a message particularly for the new and coming generations. Narang’s work will help people understand Urdu in real sense.” He also traced the history of Urdu and said Urdu is Indian. Raza Ali Abidi said: “Because of his great and unique qualities Narang should be called Naurang (nine colours). He is very simple, champion of public relations and keeps everyone very close. People get bored after hearing most of the speakers for over seven minutes but for Narang there is no limit. He keeps the audience glued to their seats. They enjoy every moment. His wife too is very nice, supportive and cooperative. He always prepares himself before going anywhere. He is an example of progress for those who desire and struggle for progress.” Monnoo Bhai said: “Faiz Ahmed Faiz and Prof Gopi Chand Narang are loved respected both in India and Pakistan. Persons of such stature do not belong to any country but represent the humanity in the true sense. Their message is about love and peace. They speak for the people. Their real award is appreciation by the people. We must be proud of this achievement and respect.” He said that the standard of books must be maintained through proper checks. The standards of most of the books are very poor. He jokingly said there must be birth control of books also. Ashfaq Hussain said: “To neglect Urdu is to weaken it. We must do everything to protect and promote Urdu everywhere. Narang is an authority on Urdu and I started liking him because his views are liberal and secular. This created differences with Jamiluddin Aali. Narang’s ties with Canada are very close and old.” Amjad Islam Amjad said: “I hear very few people and Narang is one of them. Narang is simply great. He is like a river which never dries up, even if there is no rain.” Munir Saami said: “Prof Gopi Chand Narang is of the calibre of the greats. He has deep interest in the Urdu language. He is an intellectual of great qualities.” He highlighted the importance and influence of Urdu and said it faces a lot of crisis in India because it is considered non-Indian and a Pakistani language. He said: “Unfortunately, despite being the national language of Pakistan it is neglected and as a result suffers a lot. Books are vanishing and academies on the verge of destruction. The education allocation in the budget is shockingly very less.” Munir said: “The literary bodies in Canada are doing an excellent job. Many seminars and meetings are held. With the cost of holding one seminar in Canada we can help publish many books in Pakistan. We must help them.” Wali Alam Shaheen highlighted Narang’s work and his association with Faiz Ahmed Faiz. He said we must understand him and benefit from his contribution. Dr Syed Taghi Abedi with the help of slides and Narang introduced Prof Gopi Chand Narang and his work to the audience. The projection was very informative and interesting. He said Narang gave the most lectures on Urdu in London. He is an ocean of Urdu language. He has written about 56 books out of which 40 are in Urdu, 11 in English and 5 in Hindi. Prof Gopi Chand Narang was presented Award of Excellence on behalf of Urdu Times USA and Canada by Ghalib Iqbal and Caroline Parish, MP, who is very close to the Muslim community. He was also presented $2000 on the occasion. Khalilur Rehman of Urdu Times thanked the participants for making the function a real success and announced that the next Urdu Conference will be held in Toronto in June. 2005. The venue is yet to be decided. He said that he was happy to note that Toronto has beaten New York and has now become the biggest centre for Urdu. The purpose of the Urdu conference is to protect and promote Urdu in this region. He praised Dr Syed Taghi Abedi, the moderator, and Azam Gondal of Urdu Times Canada for their hard work in organizing and making this function successful. A booklet about Prof Gopi Chand Narang was distributed to the audience. It contained details about his life, education, achievements, awards and contributions. Narang got over prestigious 25 awards including Padma Bhushan award in 2004, Padam Shree award in 1990, Sitara-e-Imtiaz Award (Pakistan) in 1978, Rajiv Gandhi award in 1994, Sathiya Academy Award in 1995, National Award in 1977, Urdu Academy Delhi Award in 1991, Urdu Society Canada Award (Toronto) in 1987 and Ghalib Award in 1985. About the Author(s): See under Our Contributors to find out about the Author(s) of this article. |
Yahoo! World News Headlines Our Winners Club Our Contributors Research Links Legal Advice ALL Awards & Internships Become an Activist Join an Organization Get Volunteerism Alert Write Letters to a local Politician Start your own Group Applied Politics Projects Suggest a Project Start your Yahoo Groups Get Internship Credit Funding for Projects Encourage Discussion Join Juryfury Chat Promote Juryfury.com Join online discussion Groups Be In the Spotlight Let us Interview you : Authors of political books Activists Journalists Lawyers Law Enforcement Politicians Politican Scientists Be A Columnist Get Internship Credit Write twice a Month Get Heard Start a Yahoo Group Advertise with Us Books (Free) Political Our Staff & Contributors Our Magazines Quietpoly.com I-Traderschool Juryfury.com The Company Our Address: QuietPoly Inc. 240 W. Saunders. Dr. (#146) Flagstaff, AZ 86001 Tel (928) 214-7365 quietpoly@yahoo.com |
|