Seminar on ‘Manuscripts sources of Kashmir’ begins at KU

SRINAGAR – In a bid to highlight the importance of manuscripts in understanding cultures and explore and study the undiscovered manuscripts of Arabic, Urdu, Persian and Kashmiri of Jammu and Kashmir, a three-day National Seminar on ‘Manuscript Sources of Kashmir’ started here at University of Kashmir on Tuesday.

The seminar is organized by the Post Graduate department of Persian University of Kashmir and is sponsored by NMM New Delhi Ministry of Culture Govt. of India.

In his Presidential address, Vice Chancellor University of Kashmir Prof Talat Ahmad stressed upon the need to make youth of the Valley well versed with their own culture and traditions by the virtue of manuscripts.

“Kashmir is rich in manuscripts of various languages and it is very imperative that present generation takes full advantage of this rich material so that they can become well aware about their own land, culture, traditions and its people,” he said.

Prof Talat said that the best way to understand and know ones culture is to peep into the manuscripts which he said are the repository of great civilization, history and culture of the land.

While addressing the participants of the three-day national seminar Prof Talat said “The best way to know your own culture is these manuscripts which show us the glimpse of our own past.”

“However” he added “At the same time it is very important that these manuscripts are well preserved so that our progeny inherits the values of our great civilization and culture.”

Prof. Deepti S. Teripathi, Director National Mission for Manuscripts Ministry of Culture Government of India who was chief guest during the inaugural session of the seminar said that natives of Kashmir should not shun their tradition and incline towards western culture.

“Kashmir was the hub of knowledge in the ancient and medieval times and rather than going the West’s way, Kashmiris should become familiar with their own culture and traditions,”said Tripathi.

She added “Kashmir is the land of poets, thinkers and Sufis and manuscripts from Kashmir which remain preserved reflect the same. Kashmir’s literature has enlightened the whole sub continent.”

In his keynote address, Padamshire Prof. Sharfi-e-Alam Ex- Vice Chancellor Arabic Persian University of Patna said that Kashmir has been a rich source of Persian manuscripts and it holds a high position in the sub continent.

“Due to the richness of Persian language as well as culture here in the Valley, Kashmir region as well as its Persian institutes hold top rank in the sub- continent.”

He added “The post graduate department of Persian is one of the best in the country in Persian studies and ranks at third position only after the departments of Persian at JNU and Delhi University.”

Besides these eminent personalities a renowned professor of Delhi University Professor Sharief Hussain Qasmi, Professor Qammar Gaffar from JMI New Delhi Dr Ishtiyaq Ahmad from department of Persian JNU also delivered thought -provoking and impressive deliberations on the occasion.

Earlier in her welcome address Head, Department of Persian Prof Syeda Rukaya said that the main aim of the seminar is to explore and study about the undiscovered manuscripts of Arabic Urdu Persian Kashmiri of J&K.

She said that at least 60 paper readers are expected to present their papers during the three-day deliberations.

Prof Rukaya said “We have renowned scholars from across country who would present their research articles/presentations on the theme of undiscovered manuscript of J&K and the inputs from delegates and paper presenters will come up in the form of recommendations at the end of the seminar.”

The inaugural session was attended by several Persian teachers and students from various degree colleges of the Valley and students, scholars and faculty members of Department of Persian and other teaching departments of KU.

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