Bazm-e-Urdu Dubai honoured Prof Shamim Hanafi for his distinguished service to Urdu literature
Behzad Parvez | Clarion India
NEW DELHI – Bazm-e-Urdu Dubai has conferred Josh-e-Urdu 2021 Award on Prof. Shamim Hanafi posthumously for his outstanding services to Urdu literature.
Dr Najma Akhtar, Vice Chancellor, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi handed over the award to Mrs Saba Hanafi, wife of late Prof Shamim Hanafi, at a function organised by Bazm-e-Urdu Dubai at India International Centre, New Delhi on October 14.
Prof. Shamim Hanafi, hailing from Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh was a known and respected name among Urdu litterateurs. His distinguished services for Urdu Literature as critic, dramatist, columnist, author and poet will be remembered long.
Studied at Allahabad University and Aligarh Muslim University, Prof Shamim was associated with Jamia Millia Islamia to the extent of becoming a professor emeritus. He died on May 6, 2021 in New Delhi at the age of 82.
Prof Shamim was also recipient of Jnangarima Manad Alankaran award and Ghalib Award for his contributions to the Urdu literature.
Dr Sheikh Aqeel Ahmed – Director NCPUL, Dr Khawaja Ikramuddin, former Director, NCPUL Council for the Promotion of Urdu, Shri Ram Sharan Joshi, senior journalist and social worker, the Founder of Jashn e Bahar Trust, Kamna Prasad, Prof. Shahpar Rasool, Dr Sarwar Al-Huda, Dr Khalid Mubashir, Sadiq-urRehman Kadwai, Founder and Secretary of Jashn e Adab, Kunwar Ranjit Singh Chauhan, Founder and Secretary of Nai Awaaz, Aijaz Ansari, renowned Playwright Dr Saeed Alam, Razi Kadwai, Syed Mehran Shah were among the distinguished personalities who graced the award ceremony with their presence.
In her address as a special guest, Dr Najma Akhtar expressed happiness and appreciated the efforts of Bazm-e-Urdu, Dubai in honouring the stalwarts of Urdu literature. She also offered her full help if Bazm-e-Urdu ever plans to organise any function at Jamia Millia Islamia
Saba Hanafi, wife of the late professor, expressed happiness and sorrow both at the same time. She said she is happy for receiving the prestigious award and feel sorrow as Prof Shamim is not there at the moment.
Bazm-e-Urdu is a Dubai-based organisation registered with community development authority, Government of Dubai. The organisation strives for the promotion and development of Urdu in the Gulf countries.
Launched in 2014, Josh-e-Urdu Award has been given to Dr Zubair Farooq, Shams-ur-Rehman Farooqi, Javed Akhtar, Mushtaq Ahmed Yusufi, Dr Bashir Badar, Professor Gopi Chand Narang and in 2020 to Mustansir Hussain Tarar.
