PESHAWAR: The participants of an award giving ceremony urged the poets and writers here on Sunday to give a due place to the sufferings of people in their writings.

Daryab Adabi Ghorzang Thal, a literary organisation, held its second award giving ceremony at Khana-i-Farhang Iran, Peshawar. Six Pashto books received the best book award of the year. Two Afghan Pashto writers were also among the recipients of the best book award.

Afghan Cultural Attaché Abdul Baqi Siddiqui, who was chief guest on the occasion, said that poets and writers should fulfil their responsibilities. He said that they should create thoughts and ideas, which could help promote peace in the region.

He said that literati being eyes and ears of the society should reflect sufferings and problems of people in their writings. “I am pleased to know that a group of young people give recognition to written words beyond boundaries. We need to encourage our literati,” Mr Siddiui said.

Dr Said Alam Mehsud, chief of Pakhtunkhwa Olasi Tehreek (POT), a civil society organisation, presided over the function .He said that genuine writers were true representatives of people’s aspirations and dreams. He said that poets and writers should translate troubles and tribulations of the masses.

“Genuine writers always live up to expectations of their people. Unless they become voice of the masses, they could not stand long in their hearts. True poets and writers should be honoured for their creative works,” Mr Mehsud said.

Six Pashto books receive awards of the year

Wehmi Orakzai, chief of Daryab Adabi Ghorzang Thal, said that his organisation, formed three years ago, wanted to honour genuine Pashto poets and writers to promote literary activities among youth.

He said that writers needed just recognition of their literary works and not a monetary gain. “It’s our second award giving ceremony. We just confer a commendation shield on six best books, three each poetry and prose volumes, to encourage wordsmith to create worthwhile works,” he said.

Arshad Ali, a young Afghan poet, told Dawn that unfortunately poets and writers are not being recognised in their society. “Self-publication is still a trend but many are unable to bring out their literary works. What do poets want, just appreciation from people. I think for writers, public recognition is the best ever award. If they get a commendation shield today, tomorrow they may create the best for their people in return,” he added.

Three each poetry and prose Pashto books were given the best book of year commendation shields. Three Pashto poetry volumes including Bia Za Hum Pa Saya Badal Shwam, Sparlai Pa Khaal Kay and Daa Kum Rang May Kasheed Karay Day penned down by Mahmood Ayaz (Quetta), Mustafa Salik (Afghanistan) and Riaz Tasnim (Karachi) received the best Pashto poetry book shields.

Three each prose books including Dost Mohammad Kamil Zhwand Au Fun (research), Da Mataloonu Pa Laar (study) and Janat Kot (fiction) written by Dr Zubair Hasart, Farhad Yousafzai and Wagma Saba Amir (Afghanistan) were adjudged as the best Pashto prose books of the year.

Published in Dawn March 16th , 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play