Haroon Rashid was the best diplomat of Urdu: Ijaz Ali Arshad

Patna: (ABN) A dignified memorial ceremony was held today at the Bihar Urdu Academy, Urdu Bhavan, Ashok Raj Path, Patna, in memory of the late renowned personality Haroon Rashid, organized by the Scientific Council of Bihar.

Inaugurating the ceremony, Dr. Anil Sahu, President of the Hindi Sahitya Sammelan, said that Haroon Rashid was a great personality of Bihar whose indelible mark is still felt today. He was known for encouraging intellectuals and helping financially struggling writers. He dedicated his life to the service of knowledge and literature and always led the way in patronizing writers.

Dr. Sahu further said that Haroon Rashid was not only a dedicated social worker but also a visionary personality who made significant contributions to the literary and social fields with his insight and sincerity. His personality is a guiding light for the young generation, and his approach teaches us to always prioritize the spirit of knowledge, service, and humanity.

He emphasized that remembering such great personalities and following in their footsteps is the true tribute to them, which is also a guarantee of the development and intellectual maturity of our society.

Presiding over the ceremony, renowned writer and scholar Dr. Abdul Samad said that Haroon Rashid loved me immensely, one of the main reasons being that he was among my father's close friends. He said that in the last fifty years, a personality like Haroon Rashid, who appreciated and valued literature and writers, has not been seen.

Dr. Samad further said that Haroon Rashid's life was dedicated to the service of knowledge and literature, and he always patronized writers, poets, and intellectuals, especially those facing financial difficulties. His special trait was to help them quietly. Dr. Samad said that Haroon Rashid was not only a great human being but also a mentor and patron who encouraged many young writers to move forward.

In his address, he also emphasized that in today's era, where materialism is gaining ground, the absence of personalities like Haroon Rashid is being deeply felt. He told the audience that we should follow in his footsteps, prioritizing the service of knowledge and literature, and continue to encourage writers.

Finally, he paid tribute to Haroon Rashid's services, saying that his memories and character will always guide us and serve as a shining example for future generations.

On this occasion, Prof. Ejaz Arshad, former Vice-Chancellor of Maulana Mazharul Haque Arabic and Persian University, spoke as a special guest, saying that Haroon Rashid was a great ambassador of Urdu literature, culture, and social harmony. He dedicated his life to the promotion, survival, and dignity of the Urdu language. His approach was always based on moderation, seriousness, and wisdom, which is why he was equally respected in all circles.

The speaker said that Haroon Rashid's most notable feature was that he always stayed away from confrontational politics. He believed that the solution to problems lies not in confrontation but in dialogue, tolerance, and mutual understanding. Under this thought, he also maintained positive and strong relations with the government of the time, so that the Urdu language and related issues could be presented and resolved in a better way.

He further said that when the history of the Urdu movement is written, Haroon Rashid's name will be written in golden letters, as his services are indispensable to this movement. He not only raised his voice for Urdu on various platforms but also strengthened the language through practical steps in the fields of education, society, and literature.

As a special guest, S.M. Parvez Alam, Director of the Urdu Directorate, also emphasized that Haroon Rashid's personality had a beautiful blend of patience, tolerance, and foresight, which is rarely seen in today's era. He was in favor of unity and harmony despite differences and always tried to maintain an atmosphere of brotherhood and unity in society.

In his concluding remarks, he said that Haroon Rashid's thoughts, approach, and services are a guiding light for future generations. It is necessary for us to follow in his footsteps and make serious and positive efforts to protect the Urdu language and our cultural identity, which will be a true tribute to him.

Besides, former District and Sessions Judge Akbar Raza Jamshed, former Chairman of the Government Urdu Library Arshad Firoz, renowned poet Marghoob Asar Fatimi Kaleem, Kaleem Dost Puri, Dr. Azhar Ahmed, Naseem Ahmed, Dr. Ashraf al-Nabi Qaiser, and others also expressed their views.

The program began with the welcome speech by Parvez Alam, General Secretary of the Scientific Council of Bihar. Fakhruddin Aarfi conducted the proceedings, while Zafar Siddiqui and Irfan Bulharvi paid tribute to Haroon Rashid. On this occasion, the book "Art of Teaching" compiled by Dr. Shah Nawaz Rizvi was launched, and Dr. Ehsan Ahmed from Darbhanga was awarded the Professor Abdul Mughni Award, Aftab Ahmed from Gaya was awarded the Kalam Hyderi Award, and Irfan Ahmed Bulharvi and Dr. Muhammad Nasseruddin were awarded the Haroon Rashid Award.

On this occasion, Haroon Rashid's son Aamir Rashid, daughter Shewar Rashid, Tanveerul Haq, Durkshan Neelam, Shama Kausar Shama, Dr. Anwarul Huda, Dr. Asif Saleem, Master Azimuddin Ansari, Hajipur, Shahnawaz Ata, Asif Ata, Ziaul Hasan, Atiquz Zaman, Afzal Hussain, Ruby Bhushan, Abdul Rehman Sarwar, Anwarullah, Muhammad Firoz, Moin Gradehvi, and others were present.