By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
The Chancellor of the Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology
(SSUET), Karachi, Engr Z A Nizami, has renewed the commitment to continue
supporting the cause of promotion of Urdu language and its literature.
He stated this while speaking as the chief guest at the launching ceremony of
Shah Hasan Atta’s book titled “Maqamat-e-Dil” which was held under the SSUET at
its spacious Bashir A Malik Auditorium.
The graceful ceremony was largely attended by noted writers, scholars and other
eminent literary personalities.
The Chancellor pointed out that despite the fact that the SSUET is an
engineering institution, it has published around 200 books on general subjects
that showed the dedication and commitment to the cause of Urdu language.
“I personally feel that it is too difficult to preserve events and memories
with complete truth and accuracy, yet Shah Hassan Atta wrote a book that is a
valuable addition to the work of literature,” Engr Z A Nizami complimented.
He paid glowing tributes to the outstanding works of Shah Hassan Atta and
announced to bring out his biography soon and also to print his unpublished
works.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof Sehar Ansari, an eminent poet, said that author
Shah Hassan Atta has left indelible marks in the period when every other person
was a giant. He had deep studies and knowledge. He was the first Secretary of
the students’ union at Aligarh Muslim University and later became the Vice President
of students’ union.
Dr Waqar Ahmed Rizvi, a noted writer and critic, described Shah Hassan Atta was
a fabulous writer whose focus was much more on spirituality and Sufism.
Senior Aligarian Saeed Siddiqui and Shah Umar Atta, author’s son, also spoke on
the occasion, appreciating the SSUET’s gesture of encouraging scholastic works
for the promotion of Urdu, the national language of Pakistan.
