New Delhi: The three-day International Research Scholars’ Ghalib Seminar, jointly organised by Ghalib Institute and the National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language (NCPUL), entered its second day on September 20 with research papers presented by students and scholars from India and abroad.
On September 20, four sessions were held.
The first session was presided over by Dr. Irshad Niyazi, who in his presidential address said that many sayings become so popular that we seldom question their validity. One such statement is that “criticism sifts the true from the false,” whereas, in reality, criticism cannot do so. Every statement remains incomplete, and future generations add to it.
Papers were presented by Ms. Noor Saba, Ms. Tazkiya Azra, Mr. Irfan Arif, Mr. Mahfooz Alam, and Mr. Faizan Ahmad. The session was conducted by Mr. Zabihullah.
The second session was chaired by Dr. Khalid Alvi, who emphasised that truthfulness is the first condition of research. “For example, if your paper is on a particular personality, it is not necessary to ascribe virtues to them that they did not possess. I am pleased that some papers in this session upheld the demands of research,” he remarked.
Papers were presented by Ms. Ayesha Hasan, Mr. Mohammad Ruknuddin, Mr. Mohammad Muntazir Alam, Mr. Mohammad Sajid, and Mr. Ahmad Raza Naik. The session was conducted by Ms. Sameen Falak.
The third session was presided over by Professor Parvez Ahmad, who shared his emotions by recalling, “Twenty-two years ago, I presented a research paper here as a scholar, and today I have the honour of presiding over this seminar.”
Participants included Ms. Bibi Ayesha Siddiqua Ali Mohammad (Mauritius), who attended in person, while Ms. B. Rozida Marai (Mauritius), Dr. Ali Khan Dushanbe (Tajikistan), Ms. Mahira Amarova, Mr. Shahjahan (Uzbekistan), and Mr. Pirzada Mohammad Zahid (Kashmir) presented papers online. The session was conducted by Mr. Shahnawaz Khan.
The fourth and final Session of the day was jointly presided over by Professor Kausar Mazhari and Dr. Mehtab Jahan. Professor Mazhari said that such seminars serve as training grounds, but a student’s first training ground is their department. Before participating, students should seek guidance from their teachers. He stressed that if a paper covers a particular era, the chronological framework must have logical justification; artists outside that framework, however great, should not be included.
Dr. Mehtab Jahan remarked that research is a continuous journey. Each researcher uncovers facts, and future researchers build upon them. This does not undermine earlier work but is viewed as a continuity in literary history. She added that differences in manuscripts often test a researcher’s ability – if all manuscripts were identical, there would be no scope for research.
Papers in this session were presented by Ms. Saba Naeem, Ms. Shireen Fatima, Mr. Mohammad Farid, Mr. Sheikh Shamer Arafat, Ms. Noor Afsan, and Mr. Ejaz Ahmad. The session was conducted by Mr. Mohammad Rizwan Khan.
The seminar witnessed enthusiastic participation from scholars, students, and lovers of knowledge. The remaining sessions will be held on September 21.
