Sheikh Hilal
SHOPIAN
A literary event ‘Sakafatti Milan’ was organised in Shopian Saturday which was attended by the poets and the writers of the valley and Pir Panchal region. Shopian, the apple town of South Kashmir, serves as a bridge between the two regions.
Even though the historical Mughal road has not been officially opened yet, vehicles ply on the road from both sides. The road has reduced distance between the valley and Pir Panchal region to three hours drive. The road not only has become a trade link between two strongly related regions but a gateway of union for literary class of both the sides.
‘Sakafatti Milan’ a literary event was organised by Maraaz Cultural Sangam in the town hall Shopian on June 26. The programme was attended by poets and writers from both the regions including former secretary cultural academy Mohammad Yousuf Taing, who hails from the town.
Deputy Commissioner Shopian Bashir Ahmad Bhat was also present in the function as a guest of honour.
Eminent academician and intellectual Mohammad Shafi Khan, in his welcome address highlighted the importance of the heritage road (Mughal road) and the union of two literate classes of the regions.
Among participants from Rajouri-Poonch were Rubeena Mir, Mohtasham Ahteshaam and Alamdaar Adam. A considerable number of poets from all over Kashmir including Migrant Kashmiri pandit poets also were part of it. These include Bashir Saadat, Ali Shaida, Shahzada Rafiq, Chaman Pinjourvi, Gh Hassan Mizraab, Gh Nabi Dilshad, Ab Karim Parwana, Mushtaq Ahmad Shopiani, Manzoor Noonmai, M Amin Bekas, Malik Fayaz, Ayoub Javid and Qawaam-u-din Shilvatti.
Poets from both sides of Pir Panchal highlighted various aspects of life, brotherhood, politics and even the significance of article 370.
“Such type of programme is a boost for not only to literal class but a step to get close to cultural and social aspects of the regions,” Mohtashim Ahtesham, a poet from Poonch said.
“These seminars, conferences, debates and cultural programmes should be arranged in future to get closer to each other,” said Jan Nisar, a young local poet.
In the programme a good number of students from various educational institutions of the valley participated and expressed their happiness to hear from poets from Rajouri and Poonch.
“It was really an emotional event, as the long cherished dreams turned into reality. The Mughal road not only shortened the physical distance but also connected spirits of the two regions,” said another participant. “Such programmes must be appreciated in future on both sides of the pir panchal so that Mughal road can serve its real purpose, I mean to unite the hearts of people with the bond of love, peace, sympathy and affection for which years back Shah Hamdaan (RA) had travelled from the same track.”
