Srinagar, Oct 29: In memory of poet Shafi Shaida, his family members and friends Saturday launched Shafi Shaida Foundation at SKICC on the Dal banks. The foundation was inaugurated by state Congress chief Prof Saif-ud-din Soz.
 Lauding the contribution of late Shaida in Kashmiri literature, Soz stressed that the foundation should work for promoting art, culture and literature.
 “The foundation should work for the betterment of intellectuals, poets, and writers. It should promote art, literature and culture,” he said.
 Saying that literature is the essence of a society, he said that people connected with it are gifted to provide society direction to live in amity and brotherhood.
 Recalling the contribution of Shaida, Minister for Agriculture Ghulam Hassan Mir stated that the “government is at the forefront for the promotion of Kashmiri culture and literature”. He said that late poet had worked for promoting Kashmiri literature and culture.
 Poet Zarief Ahmad Zarief highlighted the role of late poet saying his works and contribution are everlasting. He said that late poet was a nature lover and cheerful person. “His works and contribution would remain an asset for our society. He was my friend and would always share his prose or poetry with me,” he said.
 Prominent columnist Ghulam Nabi Khayal while sharing his opinion said that Shaida should not have joined politics. He said that Shaida could have done much better through his pen than politics.
 “Late Shaida didn’t get recognition in politics as today’s politics is game plan of those who are not well versed with problems. He was an intellectual,” he said.  
 Several other personalities including former MP AR Shaheen, MLA Nazir Gurezi, and former Chief Justice of JK High Court Bashir Ahmad Khan were present on the occasion. The literary personalities including Director Information Khawaja Renzushah, Farooq Nazki and Dr Javed Iqbal were also present on the occasion.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 29 Oct 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 29 Oct 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 30 Oct 2011 00:00:00 IST