Srinagar, Dec 07 (KNS): Chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) Thursday paid tributes to Late Agha Shahid Ali and said that he was a man of humility.
“He was a passionate Kashmiris who never stopped thinking about his mother land,” Malik said in a statement issued to KNS.
Terming Agha Shahid Ali as a patriot Kashmiri who always remembered his mother land, Malik said that Kashmiris have a bad habit of forgetting their own people who have earned fame across the globe.
Recalling his close friendship with the late poet, JKLF chairman said that “I visited him when he was on death bed. He was so humble that when I was about to leave the room, he told me he was sorry that he could not accompany me to the door.”
Recalling his poem titled ‘I see Kashmir from New Delhi at Midnight’ wherein he has talked about torture centre Papa-2, JKLF chairman said that “I have spent one night at the Papa-2, but Ali never visited that place and yet he wrote in a way as if he was held captive at the place for years together,”
He said that that Kashmiris never remember those whose talent has been acknowledged worldwide and “this was one of the bad habits we as a nation posses.” “We shower praises on the people who have no connection with Kashmir, but forget the contribution and the talent of own people who earn laurels outside,” asserted Malik.
He said that Agha Shahid lived in US but his soul always remained in Kashmir. “This is why despite being a highly celebrated poet, he always remained wedded to his nation and wrote commendable poetry on Kashmir,” he said.
Praying for the heavenly abode for the late poet, JKLF chairman said that his services for Kashmir will always be remembered.
Meanwhile, JKLF expressed its heartfelt grief and sorrow over the demise of the mother of Muhammad Yousuf @ Idrees Khan.
A JKLF delegation led by JKLF zonal president Noor Muhammad Kalwal toady visited Mallabagh Srinagar and expressed condolences to her bereaved family. (KNS)