RIYADH — Naushaba Siddiqui, a noted academic and author of several books in Urdu, was honored in a literary gathering arranged and hosted by Shaukat Jamal, a famous Urdu poet of droll and satire here. In addition to poetry lovers, other esteemed guests at the gathering were Ambreen Faiz Ahmad, Faiza, guest of honor Prof. Javed Iqbal, Sadaf Faridi, Ghulam Fareed Bhutta, Shahid Khialvi, Hesham Syed, Mir Ahmed Ali, Obaid Ur Rehman, Mubashar Ali, Firasat Ali Khusro. Jamal said that Siddiqui has remained a dedicated teacher for about 40 years, retiring recently with glory. "She remained as a professor in Government Degree College – Karachi and also had the honor of holding the post of principal in Allama Iqbal Government Degree College – Karachi for 15 plus years." Among the many books penned by Siddiqui, she has written two on economics and eight books on literature comprising novels, dramas, op-eds, poetry and essays. The academician has also authored a book on her family lineage. In her memoir, titled "Chashm-e-Nam," Siddiqui writes about her nostalgic trip to India in 2007, where she visited five cities including her native city Aligarh. Reading excerpts from her book, she revealed how she traced her late father Hasan Abdullah's footprints in Aligarh Muslim University (AMU); and his grave as well. Answering a question from one of the attendees on why she took the trip to India so late in her life, Siddiqui replied: "You see I was only two years old when my father died. My father Hasan Abdullah and grandfather Molvi Abdus Samad were passionately involved with the project of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan of the renowned AMU. I always wanted to return to my native place but couldn't do so as my circumstances didn't allow me to do so. First after migrating to Pakistan I was just a child, and then studies followed marriage, children, and job. So when I got retired and my children were married off then I finally got time and respite to think about myself. The first thing that I did was apply for Indian visa. I thought I would be refused. But the visa officer asked me a simple question as to why I wanted to visit India. I replied I wanted to visit the grave of my late father. I got the visa in four days only." She also astonished everyone when she mentioned that with the possession of a simple diary she was able to reconstruct the personality of her father and pen down his memoir titled "Afkaar-e-Hasan (Thoughts of Hasan)" as a fitting tribute to her late father. The second session of this literary gathering was Mushaira (poetry symposium), conducted by Indian writer and poet Firasat Ali Khusro. Khialvi, Bhutta, Syed, Faridi, and Jamal presented their poetry. — SG
