The North Indian Fraternity Forum (NIFF) Jeddah organized a literary meet in honor of well-known Indian poet Dr. Kaleem Ajiz here at the weekend. Dr Ajiz is a recipient of India's coveted Padmashree award for his contribution to Urdu literature. Humble and pious Dr Ajiz served the department of Urdu at Patna University for decades. He is known for the ease with which he expresses his thoughts through verses. In his words: “Yeh pukar saare chaman mein thi, woh sahar hui woh sahar hui; Mere aashiyyan se dhooan utha, to mujhe bhi iski khabar hui.” (There was this outcry everywhere in the garden that lo the dawn has come, the dawn has come! When smoke billowed out from my nest, I too became aware of this.) The function started with recitation of verses from the Holy Qur'an by Master Salman Mahfooz Aini followed by the launch of NIFF Newsletter ‘We – The People' by Dr Ajiz. The Newsletter provides an opportunity to amateur writers to showcase their writing skills. The august audience of Urdu lovers was mesmerized by the legendry voice and thoughts of Dr. Ajiz. Local poets, Naeem Bazedpuri, Nasir Berney, Saeed Akhtar and others added flavor to the evening. The efforts of NIFF patrons Zia Nadwi & Azizurrab, President Fuzail Ahmad, Vice Presidents Feroz Khan, Waquar Ahmad & Prakash Rana, Treasurer Iqbal Siddiqui, Event Coordinator Syed Ghazanfar Mumtaz & General Secretary Khwaja Nasir Jamal were praised by all for organizing the literary evening.
