BATKHELA: Speakers at a ceremony here on Monday said that writers, artists and journalists should therefore play their due role to promote mutual love and goodwill among people and become voice of the poor.

The ceremony was organised under the auspices of Hamesha Baba Adabi Tolana, Amandara at Batkhela Degree College Hall to recognise contribution of local literati and confer awards on them.

Six awards were given in the category of historiography, singing, prose, poetry (nazm), Ghazal, and journalism to Jamil Khan Shamozai, Abdul Nasir Shiekhkory, Lal Bacha Batkhelwaal, Dr Zubair Uqaab, Prof Bahram Zakhmi and Prof Iqbal Shakir while a special ward was given to senior Pashto poet Zarnosh Shahab.

A large number of students, teachers, poets, writers and local elders attended the ceremony.

The speakers said that poets, writers and artists contributed to the society despite their miserable condition and financial constraints and kept educating people on different social issues.

Prof Abaseen Yousafzai, who was guest of honour on the occasion, said that poets, writers, artists and journalists held important place in the society. He said that they should play due role to promote mutual love, peace and goodwill among people and become voice of the poor.

He said that celebrating literati and artists was a good omen for the society as it would encourage and motivate others to honour their works. He said that Malakand always produced literary figures in almost every field and their services should be duly respected.

Social activist Khadim Hussain, who was chief guest on the occasion, said that society had high expectations from writers due to their gifted talent and they should use it to benefit the society.

Dr Alikhel Daryab, head of Pashto department at University of Malakand and chief of Hamesha Baba Adabi Tolana, said that poets and writers shaped the outlook of society through their works.

“Literati and artists deserve our special attention and their contributions should be honoured both at local and government level,” he said.

Syed Hassan Khan, Ilyas Khan, Mian Fazl Rahman Shahid and Prof Dr Noorul Basar Aman also addressed the function.

Published in Dawn, November 17th, 2020