DEATH ANNIVERSARY OF NASIR KAZMI POET OF PAKISTAN (2013-1)

 

Death Anniversary of Nasir Kazmi:- Commemorative Postage Stamp March 02, 2013:- Syed Nasir Raza Kazmi, (1925 – 1972) was an Urdu poet of Pakistan and one of the greatest poets of his era. He was born on 8 December 1925 at Ambala, India.

Education and Career:- Kazmi was educated at Ambala, Simla and Lahore. He returned to Ambala in 1945 and started looking after his ancestral land. After the creation of Pakistan in 1947, he came to Lahore.

He did some journalistic work with Auraq-e-Nau as an editor and became editor-in-chief of the magaz’ne Humayun in 1952. Later he was associated with Radio Pakistan, Lahore and other literary.

“Nasir Kazmi was a poet of transcendent pain clad in undading beauty. His dalour sprang from three main causes: the sufferings he bore and the atrocities he witnessed during the Partition of 1947, his own poverty, and the social and political chaos of his age. Nasir was more sensitive than most poets and had to abandon his home in Ambala and this was a blow from which he could not recover. …….His habits though not very expensive, demanded money which was not there. Later he had to support his family and educate his two sons. ……..he never complained or moaned about his personal afflictions. But he was bitter about the inequalities and oppression of the times. I had intuitive feeling that he had once loved and lost. That gives an authenticity and genuineness to his ghazals which rings true……Nasir’s unique contribution is that he merged the sublimity and diction of Mir Taqi Mir with his own inner turmoil and restlessness……..most of Nasir’s ghazals are as good as, if not better than, Mir’s best work…...Nasir’s second major contribution is that he transformed the traditional Ghazal into modern poetry by retaining the classical mode, mood and style but making it voice modern sensibility. In doing this he stands on the summit of modern Urdu verse. He found a new school which several of his younger contemporaries and later admirers have enriched……….there is another characteristic of his poetry which sets him apart from all modern poets, and that is his choice of words. In this, again he established a new fashion which most modern poets find difficult to follow. ……he explores the range of Urdu works with an innovative eye and a fresh taste….many lines of Nasir’s Ghazals, which speak of passion of love, make one sit up and think. This depth is strengthened by the poignant note of nostalgia which runs throughout of poverty………Nasir was careless of his health. From the beginning he was unking to his body…..he ruined his digestive system in spite of his doctors and friends warnings and died of cancer of the stomach……he was a major poet of 20th century and a good humjan being” (Extract taken from: “Coffee House of Lahore” written by K.K.Aziz”)

Nasir Kazmi’s Books:

Poetry:

1.       Bang-e-Nae (1952)

2.       Deewan (1972)

3.       Pehli Baarish (1975)

4.       Nishat-e-Khwab (Collection of nazms, 1977)

Other Books:

1.       Sur Ki Chhaya (Manzoom Drama, Katha 1981)

2.       Khushk Chashme ke Kinare (Prose. 1982)

3.       Intekhab-e-Meer (Poetry 1989)

4.       Intekhab-e-Nazeer (Poetry 1990)

5.       Intekhab-e-Wali Dakni (Poetry 1991)

6.       Intekhab-e-Insha (Poetry 1991)

Diary of Nasir Kazmi:

Nasir Kazmi ki Dairy (Chand Pareshan Kaghaz) (Autobiography, 1995 compiled by Hassan Sultan Kazmi)

Famous ghazals and nazms of Nasir Kazmi:

Kazmi’s Ghazals include:

1.       Kaun is raah se guzartaa hai

2.       Terii zulfon ke bikharne kaa sabab hai ko”ii

3.       Dukh kii lehar ne chheRaa hogaa

4.       Dil main ek lehar si uthi hai abhi

5.       Naaz-e-be-gaangi main kyaa kuch thaa

6.       O! mere masruuf Khudda

7.       Be minnat-e-khizr-e-raah rahnaa

8.       Dil dharaknay ka sabab yaad aya

9.       Jurm-e-inkaar ki sazaa hi de

10.   Tere aane kaa dhokaa saa rahaa hai

11.   Fikr-e-taameer-e-aashian bhi hai

12.   Rang barsaat ne bhare kuch to

13.   Kise dekhein kahaan dekha na jaye

14.   Karta usay beqaraar kuch dair

15.   Wo dil nawaaz hai lekin nazar shanaas nahi

16.   Neeyat-e-shauq bhar na jaye kahiin

17.   Banny Banaaye hue Rasston pea a nekly

18.   So gai Shehar ki har aik Galli

19.   Apni Dhun Main Rehta hon

20.   Dil main aur to kya rakha hai

21.   Kia Zamana tha key hum Roz mila kartay thay

On the death Anniversary of Syed Nasir Kazmi, Pakistan Post is issuing a commemorative postage stamp of Rs.15/- denomination on March 02, 2013.

Eid-ul-Fitr. (1999-23)

 

Eid-ul-Fitr is the most important festival in the Islamic calendar. This festival is the culminating point of the Holy month of Ramazan, during which Quran-ul-Hakeem and Laila-tul-Qadr (Night of Grandeur) were gifted to the Muslim Ummah.

While fasting teaches us self-discipline and provides us moral and spiritual blessings, Eid-ul-Fitr marks the end of the fasting and brings the message of collective merry-making as well as sharing our good fortune with, the less fortunate in our fraternity.

The entire Muslim Ummah celebrates this most auspicious festival in every nook and corner of the world with great spiritual devotion, offering Eid prayers in Eidgahs, mosques or open spaces in towns and cities. The Eid-prayer is the china of this grand festival.

One can see during this special congregation endless sight of row upon row of the faithfuls spread across the open air Eidgahs, a supreme manifestation of the Muslim fraternity and equality of mankind.

After Eid prayers, the Muslims embrace and greet other fellow Muslims and pay visits to graveyards to pray for the departed souls. This sufficiently indicates that Islam is the religion of peace, friendship and aspires to promote universal brotherhood.

Special sweet dishes are prepared and served to friends, relatives and other visitors to ones house.

The young folk wear bright costumes and enjoy themselves with various types of entertainment on Eid day including a visit to special Eid Fairs and participating in different cultural activities. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) used to wear a new dress on this occasion. But it was always very simple which every member of the brother could afford.

No doubt, there were people who could not even afford such simple dresses. To make it possible for them to join the rejoicings of Eid, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) ordered the rich to pay them a prescribed amount (known as Fitrana) in advance, so that they may be able to get their new dresses prepared for the occasion. The institution of Fitrana re-inforces Islam’s emphasis on one’s obligations towards society.

Some of the prescribed practices or special spiritual etiquettes of “Eid-ul-Fitr” are given below.

1. It is compulsory for all the faithfuls to take a bath and wear new dress.

2. It is Sunnah to eat dates or some sweet dish before leaving for Eid prayers. The Holy Prophet always used to go for Eid congregation after eating some dates. (Reported by Anas bin Maalik and collected in Saheeh al-Bukhari (Eng. Trans. Vol 2 P-40 No 73) and Ahmad.

3. It is Sunnah to recite “Takbiraat” loudly while going to Eidgah for offering Eid prayers or coming back from there. It is reported that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) himself used to recite these “Takbiraat” with a loud voice on this day.

4. Pay Fitrana before Eid prayers to ensure that the less fortunate among us are also enabled to share the festivities. Fitrana is to be paid for every young or old. Its rates are fixed according to the prevailing rates of wheat and dates in various Muslim countries by Ulema.

5. It is preferable to offer the “Eid Prayer” in an open ground or Eidgah and not in the Masjid, if possible. (Bukhari and Muslim).

6. It is Sunnah to adopt different routes to and from the Eidgah, preferably going on foot. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) himself used to go the Eidgah on foot and declared that it was more rewarding to seek the Divine blessings. Jabir reported that the Prophet (PBUH) used to come back from the Eid prayer on a path other than the one used in going to it. (Bukhari).

Sending Eid-greetings to friends and relatives are customary on this occasion throughout the Muslim world.

Exchange of special Eid cards is to show affection for the near and dear ones. Pakistan post Office has been issuing beautiful designed Eid cards at different times. A special Eid Greeting envelope was also issued by Pakistan Post Office in the past.

Contributed by: A. I. Siddiqi (Philatelist) Faisalabad.

To celebrate the “Eid Day” following on 1st of Shawwal 1420 A.H, Pakistan Post Office is issuing a set of two special postage stamps of Rs 2 and Rs 15 denomination on December 24, 1999.

MEDICINAL PLANTS OF PAKISTAN SPOGEL SEEDS/PLANTAIN (PLANTAGO ISPAGULA/P.) December 20, 1999. (1999-22)

 

Pakistan is endowed with the wealth of medicinal plants. These are the natural botanical source of medicines being manufactured by indigenous pharmaceutical houses in Pakistan. These are also the basic source of modern pharmaceutical market, although today it has become an entire medical world of synthetics, with elevated prices a common man cannot afford. It is therefore the most appropriate time to consider development and organization of our medicinal plants industry to become independent in the provision of common indigenous natural drugs that are being used to treat diseases in most of our rural areas. In our country there are grown wild or cultivated medicinal plants species which possess Great potentialities not in the light of their use from centuries in the Sub-continent in Greco-Arab (Unani or Eastern) system of medicine but also in the light of active principles or biodynamic compounds being isolated from them using ultra modern screening techniques available in our country.

SPANISH PLANT/P. OVATA FOR SK ISPAGHO/SPAGAL SEEDS

A nominee of family plantaginaceae, this famous herb of Persion locality is found in Hazara, Punjab and Sindh, also cultivated for its valuable seeds husk mainly used for its mucilegenous property as antidysenteric, cooling, demculcent, mild *astringent, emolient, laxative and diuretic actions. The husk is used as a common remedy for G.I tract complaints in the sub continent.

(Contributed by Director Research & Bait-al-Himat, Hamdard, Karachi)

To focus the attention of public on natural botanical source of medicines Pakistan Post Office is issuing a special postage stamp of Rs. 5/- denomination on December 20, 1999.

DR. JAVID IQBAL (1924-2015) 100th BIRTH ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATIVE SOUVENIR SHEET NOVEMBER 9th, 2024 (2024-12)

Dr. Javid Iqbal (5 October 1924-3 October 2015) was a philosopher and senior justice of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. He was internationally known for his acclaimed publications on philosophy of law and modern Islamic philosophy in international and national journals. He authored various books on Pakistan's movement and political ideology. Apart from philosophy, Justice Javid had a prolific career in the Judiciary of Pakistan. He was a former Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court before being elevated to the Supreme Court and also represented Pakistani delegation at the United Nations. He was awarded Hilal-i-Imtiaz by the President of Pakistan in 2004.

Dr. Javid Iqbal obtained BA (honours) degree from Government College Lahore in 1944, a master’s degree in English and philosophy in 1948, and a PhD degree in philosophy from the University of Cambridge in 1954. He was the son of the poet-philosopher Allama Muhammad Iqbal. Allama Iqbal, named his book, Javid nama, after his son. He also wrote many poems to Javid Iqbal, indirectly addressing the Muslim youth in British India. Javid Iqbal later translated two of Allama Iqbal's books into Urdu Javid Nama and Reconstruction of religious thought in Islam. Like his great father, Dr. Javid Iqbal strove to present the 'liberal' side of Islam which was hidden in the mist of ignorance, blind following and sectarianism.

Dr. Justice Javid Iqbal has many reasons to be remembered. Throughout his long career he stood out as a prominent jurist and a liberal scholar. He was considered a man with a far-reaching legal scope of thought with judgments delivered by him touching many areas of life. But his contributions go beyond judgments delivered from the bench and his legal expertise. Dr. Javid Iqbal was also regarded as a scholar on Islamic jurisprudence. His numerous writings and books sought to decipher Allama Iqbal's vision and explain and expound the legacy of Mohammad Ali Jinnah.

Honorable Justice Javid Iqbal carved out a place for himself in the modern history of Pakistan, also reflecting on the current state of Islamic thought, society and politics and commenting on literary works. Many of his works are thought to contain important insight into the history and nature of 'ideology' in Pakistan. Dr. Javid Iqbal influenced national events in a number of different ways and he was an important figure who played a role in helping us define our culture and the place of religion in our state.

Dr. Javid Iqbal's publications include the following:

·         Ideology of Pakistan (1959)

·         Stray Reflections: A Note-Book of Iqbal (1961)

·         Legacy of Quaid-e-Azam (1968, published in English and Urdu)

·         Mai Lala Faam (1968, collection of papers on Iqbal, in Urdu)

·         Zinda Rood (1984, biography of Iqbal in three volumes, in Urdu)

·         Afkare-Iqbal (1994, interpretation of Iqbal's thought)

·         Pakistan and the Islamic Liberal Movement (1994).

·         Jahan-i-Javid: Darame, Afsane, Maqale

·         Islam and Pakistan's Identity

·         The Concept of State in Islam: A Reassessment

·         Apna Greban Chaak (autobiography) (2002)

·         Khutbat e Iqbal Tasheel-o-tafheem

·         Maqalat-e-Javid

On 100th Birth Anniversary of Dr. Javid Iqbal, a Commemorative Souvenir Sheet of Rs. 100/- denomination is being issued by Pakistan Post on November 9th, 2024. It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan Post, aligning itself with the modern trends of technology is featuring a QR code on Pakistan's stamps for the first time in this issue.

Men Of Letters Series Ghulam Bari Aleeg (1907-1949) (1999-21)

Ghulam Ban who won fame as Ban Aleeg was born at Klannore, District Gurdaspur in undivided India in 1907. Soon after his birth his parents, alongwith other family members, left Klannore and settled in Faisalabad (former Lyallpur).

Ghulam Ban received his school education at Faisalabad and then spent some years in Muslim University Aligarh, a great seat of learning of the Muslim nation of India, and came to be known as Ban Aleeg. He was a talented young man.

His stay at Muslim University Al igarh gave him the passion to do some thing for his country. He was a thinker and possessed originality and creativity. He was deeply disturbed by the plight of masses by the colonial masters and their stooges, the feudal lords of India.

Oppression, tyranny, poverty and exploitation were rampant in India. But the history books portrayed the colonial masters as liberators, harbingers of light and the benefactors of the people.

Ban Aleeg was a poor man. He had no means for realising his dreams. He could think and write but it was not easy to publish what he wrote. No body, dared to displease the rulers and their agents.

The parents urged Ban Aleeg to find a job but he revolted against the restrictions and conditions of service. For some time he taught in a school at Faisalabad but one day he slipped to Lahore and it was after a few months that his parents came to know that Ghulam Ban was working in a newspaper as “Ban Aleeg”.

According to the eastern tradition bondage of marriage was used to make Ban Aleeg stay at home and stick to a job. But this, too, did not work. He traveled from place to place to find a newspaper which could publish what the wrote. He worked in Lahore, Amritsar and Rangoon at different times and for different newspapers.

He was attracted towards communism because it opposed imperialism and stood for the soviets (the masses). He yearned for presenting the Indian history in its true perspective and he was greatly influenced by the Seerat of the holy prophet of Islam. The history, Islam and Communism were the main subjects on which he wrote and talked.

He was a versatile genius ie a veteran journalist, a prominent researcher and a man of letters. He wrote 13 books mainly on history, communism and Islam. Taarikh Kia Hai (What is history) Taarikh Ka Mutaalia (The study of history) Inqilaab-i-France (The French revolution) and company ki Hakoomat (Company’s rule) are his distinguished works on history. Company Ki Hakoomat (Company’s rule) came to be recognised as a book of extra-ordinary merit and it played the main role in bringing fame and troubles to him.

He became famous for presenting the history of the sub-continent in the true perspective. All the history books written during the rule of East India Company and afterwards presented the colonial masters as torch-bearer of civilization, peace and prosperity.

Ban Aleeg presented the facts, that contradicted many things in other history books. He highlighted the plight of the people, injustice done to many nobles in the sub-continent. Obviously this work displeased the colonial rulers. Ban Aleeg had to travel from place to place and to work in different newspapers for living.

As ardent enemy of imperialism and colonialism, Ban Aleeg became famous as a progressive writer. He wrote books on Karl Marx, Lenin and the philosophy of Communism. He remained associated as editor, editorial writer and columnist with some newspapers Musawant, Ihsan, Shahbaz, Milap, Partap, Sheri Rangoon & Adb-i-Lateef, were the main papers for which he worked.

His writings inspired the readers to struggle against imperialism, oppression and tyranny. His vision was the end of all types of exploitation and improvement in the life standards of the poor masses. Because of his thoughts and works Ban Aleeg led a life of extreme hardship. He lived from hand to mouth.

The persons of much less calibre were offered attractive positions by the Government or were facilitated by the pro-government rich people.

Bari Aleeg had a galaxy of writers around him, most prominent among them was Sa’adat Hasan Manto. In his words “Bari Aleeg was his guide, his teacher”. He exercised a great impact on his contemporaries. He introduced a new trend of analyzing the events in a rational and argumentative way.

His writings paved the way for “progressive Movement” in literature and journalism. He motivated so many writers, journalists and poets to crusade against oppression, tyranny social and economic injustices.

Ban Aleeg was fortunate to witness the emergence of Pakistan. He hoped that his vision would be realized and he would also witness a change in the life standards of poor masses. But on December 10,1949 he had a heart attack and he passed away.

He was buried at Faisalabad where all his relatives were dwelling. His life was short but it was like the life of a meteor.

To commemorate the 50th Death Anniversary of the great writer late Ghulam Ban Aleeg Pakistan Post Office is issuing a commemorative postage stamp of Rs 5 denomination on December 10,1999.