Omar lauds Taing’s contribution to literature, politics

GNS JAMMU, FEB 22  : Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah today lauded the contribution of noted, writer and critic Mohammad Yusuf Taing in the field of art and literature describing him as an important pillar of the literary field.
Releasing the Special Number of Sheeraza on the life and achievements of Mr. Taing, Omar Abdullah said that he held the fort with all his enthusiasm and dedication and continues to do so even now despite being involved actively in public life and politics. He said Mr. Taing continued to nurture the writer within him even after he joined politics and maintained the fine balance between politics and intellectual role.
The Chief Minister said that Mr. Taing will be remembered among great luminaries of art and literature in the country. He expressed the hope that Mohammad Yusuf Taing’s literary contribution would be recognized at the national level during his life time. He said Mr. Taing did not only perform well in his literary ventures but equally made a mark on the political turf as well. He said Mr. Taing worked as a father figure in the Upper House and it would be fruitful to take benefit of his experiences and observations.
Complimenting the Cultural Academy for bringing out a Special Number on Mr. Taing, Omar Abdullah said that what best a tribute could be to the living legend of literature than a Special Number of the Magazine which he himself started in 1962. He said Mr. Taing worked closely with Late Sher-i-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah in the compilation of Aatish-i-Chinar and referred to his first meeting with him in the company of Late Sher-i-Kashmir which has been pictorially covered by the magazine also.
Earlier, Mr. Taing in his brief speech threw light on the cultural renaissance since 1947 and the birth of Cultural Academy in the State.
In his welcome address Commissioner Secretary Tourism, Atal Duloo who also holds charge of Secretary Cultural Academy said that the Academy is celebrating 2012 as the Golden Jubilee Year of its flagship publication, Sheeraza. He said in 1962 the magazine was started with Taing as its Founder Editor and since then Mr. Mr. Taing has won acclaim for his literary endeavours including two dozen awards.
A galaxy of writers, literary critics and lovers of art including Ministers Abdul Rahim Rather, Ali Mohammad Sagar, Nawang Rigzin Jora, Minister of State, Nasir Aslam Wani, MLC Vijay Bakaya, Director Doordarshan Jammu, Shabir Mujahid, Additional Secretaries Cultural Academy, Savita Bakshi and Shamima Akhtar and other various dignitaries were present on the occasion.