Srinagar, Dec 15: Srinagar-My City My Dreamland, a book by prominent columnist, Zahid Ghulam Muhammad, was released Thursday. The book, a compilation of ZGM Nostalgia columns published in Greater Kashmir, was released at an impressive function at Kashmir University.
 The function was attended by a galaxy of people from various walks of life including civil society members, academicians, medicos, engineers, scientists, environmentalists and scholars.
 At least three former Chief Engineers, two Chief Conservators of Forest, a senior paediatrician, a retired IPS officer and senior journalists, were among those present on the occasion.

AUTHOR’S VIEW
 The author recited some of the excerpts from the book making many of the invitees including his yesteryear neighbours, among the panellists, nostalgic about the “golden era”.
 Sharing the inspiration to compile his columns into the book, Zahid said a Kashmiri academician, Idreesa Pandit based in Canada had suggested him to go for the compilation.
 “Otherwise I had simply started it as a column for City Page and subsequently, three-and-a-half years on, it evolved into a book,” he said.
 “The present decay of this City pains me and it’s my heart, which speaks out through this book,” he said.

THE REVIEWER
 The book reviewer, senior faculty Professor Muhammad Aslam of English department at Kashmir University in his review termed the book as a “food for thought.”
 “This book is a food for thought… Social scientists can pick threads from the same for their research,” he said.
 Throwing light over the term Nostalgia, he said the word was coined in the 17th century by some doctor to define “home sickness” but gradually evolved to be used for related entities.
 “Nostalgia forcifies the past through strategies of recollecting and I appreciate Zahid for his awesome memory,” he added.
 “Basically this book reveals pain of the past,” he said.
 “Overall assessment of the book is that it’s not only worth reading but worth keeping,” Professor Aslam observed.

 Chief Guest speaks
 Chief Guest on the occasion and acting VC KU, Professor MA Sofi was all praise for the author to have such an extra ordinary memory that he remembers every bit-and-byte of his yesteryears.
 “His(ZGM’s) memory is simply awesome…. The book reminds me of the Kashmir folk music,” he said. “Contents of this book come directly from the author’s heart,” he added.
 “This book is clear articulation of facts in story form,” he maintained.
 “Casual reading of Nostalgia columns takes reader down the nostalgic lanes of Srinagar,” Professor MA Sofi, a leading mathematician added.
 “Culture is essentially considered as a pride of nation but we people adopted alien culture which is a gift of globalization.”

PANELLISTS OPINE
 Panellist, Dr Abdul Wahid recapping his childhood days said he lived in the neighbourhood of ZGM and endorsed all he has inked in the book.
 “This is novel way of writing history and I am amazed to see the author’s memory,” he added.
 “Non conventional political centres used to be shop front (Wanna Pendh) where people would hold big political gossips for hours together…. Even though Zahid discussed Wanna Pendhs but I don’t know how he forgot to mention Masjid Hamans which used to be a hot seat for political discussions,” he said.
 Professor Noor Muhammad Baba of KU’s Political Science department said the book “contains a history in itself.”
 “It can be a source material for future historians because it gives a first hand information regarding the tremendous value of City’s past glory,” he added.

TRIBUTES
 The book release function, however, was preceded by a Fateha Khawani to pay tributes to prominent Professor Fareed Parbati who breathed his last yesterday. Professor Parbati was a prominent critic and worked with Iqbal Institute KU.

OTHER INVITEES
 Chief Engineers (Retd), Akhter  Rashid, SD Shangloo, IPS Retd Javed Reyaz Beedar, noted paediatrician Dr Altaf Hussain, Columnist Dr Javed Iqbal, former Director General Tourism, M Ashraf, retired Chief Wildlife Warden, AR Wani, former Commissioner Secretary, Qazi Muhammad Amin, Mass Communication Guru Nasir Mirza, senior separatist leader Javed Ahmed Mir and poet Zarief Ahmed Zarief were among those present on the occasion.
 The event was hosted by Allama Iqbal Library in collaboration with GK Foundation.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 15 Dec 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 15 Dec 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 16 Dec 2011 00:00:00 IST