Kargil, June 26, 2022: The Ladakh Academy of Art, Culture & Languages, Kargil UT Ladakh in collaboration with Halqa-e-Arbab-e-Zouq, Kargil today jointly organized a District Level Multilingual Mehfil-e-Mushaira under the banner of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.

The program was organized in the seminar hall of the academy in which poets belonging to different languages of Kargil district participated and recited their poetry.

As many as 34 poets from different parts of Kargil recited their compositions in different languages. Kacho Asfyandar Khan Faridoon (retired IAS) was the chief guest, while Padma Shri awardee Akhone Asgar Ali Basharat, a renowned Balti writer and poet was the Sader-e-Mehfil-cum-guest-of-honour on the occasion.

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Speaking on the occasion, Kacho Asfyandar Khan Faridoon lauded the efforts of the Ladakh Cultural Academy, Kargil and Halqa-e-Arbab-e-Zouq, Kargil for jointly organizing such graceful and fruitful programs from time to time.

He termed the poets as the eyes of the society who can play a great role in eradicating the social evils by virtue of the persuasive power of their poetry. He also lauded their efforts for taking keen interest in the realm of poetry that has no apparent benefits in terms of money.

He also urged the Deputy Secretary, Cultural Academy Kargil to organize such literary programs at different places to disseminate the poetic tradition and message to wider audiences.

Padma Shri awardee Akhone Basharat Ali said it is a matter of great satisfaction that the land of Kargil has a good number of poets in such a small magnitude of the population as compared to other places. He applauded the role of poets in Kargil in guiding and encouraging young and aspiring poets to excel in the field of poetry and literature.

He further said local poets have the calibre to keep the tradition of poetry in Kargil alive.  He emphasized the need to organize such programs at schools and colleges to impart awareness and to imbibe poetic inspiration among youth.

While welcoming the gathering, Nazir Hussain, Deputy Secretary of the academy lauded the writers/poets fraternity and that their contribution in the literacy field is commendable and has been instrumental in making the society healthy.

He said that Ladakh Cultural Academy Kargil is committed to preservation and promotion of rich Art, Culture and Languages in Kargil through such literary and other programs.

Deputy Secretary Kargil expressed gratitude on behalf of the academy to Halqa-e-Arbab-e-Zouq, Kargil for their tremendous support for jointly organizing such programs.

He further said Ladakh Cultural Academy is open to help people who are interested to showcase their poetic talent. He urged the novices to participate in such programs to have a know-how of the ambience and to seek necessary guidance from senior poets.

He urged the concerned quarters connected with the academy to keep continuing their support enabling the academy to fulfill the desired objectives.

The poets, who recited their poetry on the occasion, include Kacho Asfyandar Khan Faridoon, Padma Shri awardee Akhoone Asgar Ali Basharat, Ghulam Ahmad Khan Jawan, Aga Syed Hadi Shah, Aga Bashir Ahmad Wafa, Mohd Hussain Rehnuma, Muhammad Yasin Ansari, Muhammad Shafi Sagar, Raza Amjad Badgami, Tsewang Rigzin Rigzin, Fida Hussain Wazir Fida, Muhammad Jawad Jalib, Mukhtar Zahid Karkiti, Nasiruddin Khafee, Mohd Ali Khumar, Muhammad Taqi Khan Nayaab, Muhammad Ali Baba, Nissar Hussain Trespone, Ahmad Hussain Olpa, Farooq Ahmad Noorie, Mohd Ali Ashore, Sajjad Ali Shujaat, Ataullah Parwaz, Arif Ladakhi Aryan, Ghulam Nabi Skith, Abdul Hadi Balti, Ahsan Bismil Drassi, Mohd Iliyas Kargili, Mohd Baqir Rafiq, K. Ahmedi Nijad, Liyaqat Ali, Murtaza Fazili, Yangchan Dolma, Sonam Ladol.

Local poets, scholars, district officers and a large number of the general public among others were also present on the occasion.

Zahid Mukhtar Budgami, Muhammad Taqi Nayaab, Sajjad Ali Shujaat jointly conducted the program proceedings while as Javed Jalib Amini, delivered the vote of thanks.