By Aftab H Kola

Sub-editor of Times of Oman

MUSCAT, April 1 : The Urdu Wing of Indian Social Club was formally inaugurated by Dr P. Mohammed Ali, managing director, Galfar Group on Thursday. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Mohammed Ali congratulated the young team for taking up the initiative and forming the Urdu Wing. He said no less a person than India's renowned journalist Khushwant Singh has said that Urdu is a Kohinoor among the Indian languages and that Urdu has its own charisma is known to everyone. Quoting a couplet to stress the richness of the language, he said that Urdu represents a cultural synthesis and has no barrier and has immensely contributed to our cultural heritage. Dr Mohammed Ali offered to lend his unstinting support to the Urdu Wing and even offered to enrol himself for the proposed Urdu learning classes.

Dr Satish Nambiar, president of Indian Social Club, said that he was proud to welcome the Urdu Wing to the ISC fold and hoped that the new wing would be active. He said that the ISC would lend all its support to the wing in carrying out its activities.

Earlier, Samia Naqvi welcomed Arif Anwaraul Haque, a prominent poet based in Oman, tracing the history of Urdu averred that Urdu literature has a long and colourful history that is inextricably woven to the development of that very language, Urdu, in which it is written.

Feroz Khan, convenor of the wing, gave a PowerPoint presentation of the objectives and programmes of the wing. Feroz said that the primary objective would be to promote the Urdu language which would be done through starting of Urdu learning classes, organising literary fora, etc. He said the wing would also work on promoting social interaction, conduct cultural, sports and women-related activities. He added that the wing would take up welfare measures whenever required.

Co-convenor of the wing, Faisal Khan, presented a memento to Dr P. Mohammed Ali while committee member, Aftab H. Kola felicitated Dr Satish Nambiar with a memento.

The wing's artistically designed logo was created by Sachin Kelker based on the creative inputs provided by the wing members. Dr Satish Nambiar felicitated Sachin with a memento.

Earlier, the programme began with qiraat by Khalique Khan. Pushkin Agha, treasurer of the Urdu Wing, ably conducted the proceedings. Urdu Wing committee members, Sohail Khan, Samie Ahmed Kazi, Ahad Mohi and M.S.R. Faizi were present on the occasion.

After the formal part, the audience was treated to a dose of enlivening cultural programmes. Prominent local poets, Arif Anwarul Haque, Mujeeb Khan, Farzana Aejaz and Jawaid Iqbal declaimed poetry, which were well acknowledged by the audience. Student Ameer Ansari's humour poetry aroused gales of laughter in the audience. The Prakash Vadhwani-led musical troupe further regaled the audience with renditions of melliflous ghazals.

The troupe comprised singers, Amir Khan, Haider Naqvi and Roopa Bose while Suresh Karlikar was on the tabla and Simran Vadhwani on the keyboard. Committee member Moheed Ruhan presented mementos to the poets. The programme was followed by exotic dinner.