National Language Authority urdu translation books

NLA launches five more translations
Islamabad, Aug 22: The National Language Authority (NLA) on Friday launched the Urdu translations of five books by world-renowned authors for the benefit of the general public who may be finding the foreign language as a barrier to read these books.

The Urdu translations of the books launched by NLA at a simple ceremony include 'Origin of Species' by Charles Darwin under the Urdu title 'Asal Anwaa' translated by Syed Qasim Mahmood; 'A Brief History of Time' by Stephen Hawking under the Urdu title 'Waqt ki Mukhtasar Tareekh' translated by Azeem-ur-Rehman Furqan; 'Culture and Imperialism' by Edward Said under the Urdu title of 'Saqafat aur Samraaj' translated by Yasir Jawad; 'The World is Flat' by Thomas H. Friedman under the Urdu title 'Dunya Sab Kay Liay' translated by Nayar Abbas Zaidi and the 'Dialogues of Plato Vol. 6' by Plato under the Urdu title 'Makalmaat Aflatoon', translated by Arif Hussain.

The Chairman NLA, Iftikhar Arif, while talking to media men and intellectuals, who attended the ceremony, said that it is a historic fact that translations of the works of literature and religion have always played a major role in promotion of knowledge and intellect.

"Translatology is an art which gained acknowledgement with the passage of time and just as the economy has good or bad indicators the publication of translations of books from different language into others stands as an indicator reflecting the craving for knowledge in a society," Iftikhar Arif said.

He pointed out that these translations of books by the internationally acclaimed philosophers, intellectuals and travellers have played a major role in spreading the light of knowledge and awareness through the world about China, Greece, and Hind (sub-continent).

"Similarly the religious books like Qura'an, 'Bible', 'Psalms of David', 'Gospel' and 'Taurah' widely translated in almost all the languages of the world have spread the message of these Holy Books the world over and helped the people understand the teachings of these religions," the NLA chairman said.

He said that keeping in view this vital importance of translation of the books into our national language Urdu the NLA decided to set up the 'Translation Center' in the NLA, which has already translated 10 great books of the world into Urdu and published those for the readers in Pakistan.

He said that these translations would not only be beneficial for those who have a lust for literature but the students in particular can benefit from these translations to enhance their knowledge.

He said that translating a book from any other language into Urdu language is tedious job and needs great attention so that the message of the book should be conveyed exactly as it was meant in the original and for the purpose it is vitally important that the translator should have total command over the language.

He said that the NLA launched a five-year project back in the year 2006 under which 129 important books from different disciplines including science, technology and general category were selected by a committee of experts for translation into Urdu language.

"The list was approved under the PC-I approved by a high-level committee under the supervision of Chairman of the Higher Education Commission (HEC), Dr Attaur Rehman and work was launched with renewed vigour," he said. The news

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Awards given to 35 varsity teachers
Islamabad: As many as 35 teachers from various universities were given the best university teacher award for playing an important role in enhancing the academic atmosphere during the year 2008.

Speaking at the award distribution ceremony organised by the Higher Education Commission (HEC), Fauzia Wahab, MNA and central information secretary of the PPP, said teachers played an extremely important role in transforming a society. They are the mentors who unleash the creative talents of the students.

She said teachers are also a great source of inspiration for the students. "A good teacher ensures that students become responsible and patriotic citizens, who can differentiate between right and wrong," she added. The award included a cash prize of Rs100,000.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Mukhtar Ahmed, acting executive director HEC, said the process of selection was long and transparent which involved feedback of students, evaluation report by departmental heads, deans and vice-chancellors. The academic, research and creative work performance of the teachers was also evaluated, he added.

The award winners are: Dr Sadiqur Rehman, University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Muzaffarabad; Dr Maqsood Ahmad, Balochistan University of IT, Engineering and Management Sciences, Quetta; Dr Sher Akbar, University of Balochistan, Quetta; Dr Nazir Ahmed Sangi, AIOU Islamabad; Dr Abid Ali Minhas, Bahria University Islamabad; Dr Rubina Farooq, COMSATS Institute of IT Islamabad; Dr Mohammad Sher, International Islamic University, Islamabad; Dr Imran R. Chughtai, PIEAS, Islamabad; Dr Arshad Majid Mirza, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad; Dr Irshad Ali, Gomal University, D. I. Khan; Dr Fida Younus Khattak, Kohat University of Science and Technology; Dr Farhatullah, NWFP Agricultural University, Peshawar; Dr Azzamul Asar, UET, Peshawar; Dr Sardar Khan, University of Peshawar; Dr Mushtaq Ahmad, University of Science and Technology, Bannu; Dr Javed Iqbal Mirza, BZU, Multan; Dr Shazia Iftikhar, FJWU, Rawalpindi; Dr Farah Malik, GCU, Lahore; Dr Farhat Saleemi, Lahore College for Women University; Dr Shakeel Ahmad Qureshi, NCA, Lahore; Dr Abdul Khaliq Naveed, NUST, Rawalpindi; Dr Zahir Ahmad Zahir, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad; Dr Nadeem Akhtar Abbasi, University of Arid Agriculture, Rawalpindi; Dr M. Khaleequr Rahman, UET, Lahore; Dr Hashim Nisar Hashmi, UET, Taxila; Dr Fareed A. Minhas, University of Health Sciences, Lahore; Dr Tanveer Akhtar, University of the Punjab, Lahore; Dr Mohammad Ashraf, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore; Dr Mahnaz Fatima, IBA, Karachi; Dr Pushpa Sirichand, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro; Dr Mujeebuddin Memon, Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro; Dr Syed Amir Iqbal, NED University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi; Dr Noor Ahmed Memon, Quaid-i-Awam University of Engineering, Science and Technology, Nawabshah; Dr Miandad Zardari, Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur; Dr Shamasuddin Tunio, Sindh Agriculture University, Tando Jam, and Dr Abida Taherani, University of Sindh, Jamshoro. Dawn

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Training courses on tissue culture ends
Rawalpindi: The short training courses on 'Tissue Culture Laboratory, Technician and Nursery Management' ended here on Friday at Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi (PMAS-AAUR). The courses provided a ripe opportunity to participants from various departments to get first hand knowledge in the highly important sphere of agro-sciences.

The training courses were organised by the Department of Horticulture, PMAS-AAUR in collaboration with Agribusiness Support Fund (ASF).

The participants under went through a series of sessions in which they were given basic knowledge about scientific techniques being used in tissue culture laboratory and nursery management. Those who attended the short course on tissue culture closely observed the phenomenon related to embryo culture, node culture, and meri-stem culture. Similarly, the participants of short course of nursery management were imparted updated knowledge about plant growth, protection against diseases, sanitation and value addition and food requirements of plants. In all 19 participants completed courses regarding plant tissue culture while 30 participants managed to go through all the phases of nursery management courses.

While speaking as a chief guest at the concluding ceremony of the short courses, PMAS-AAUR Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Khalid Mahmood Khan said that production of food, flower and plants through tissue culture has been initiated for the first time in a country in line with the standards set by World Trade Organisation (WTO).

PMAS-AAUR Horticulture Department Chairman Prof. Dr. Nadeem Akhtar Abbasi in his welcome address said that the university has been consistently organising short courses in the field that are considered vital for promotion of agricultural sciences.

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Teachers training workshop ends
Rawalpindi: The concluding ceremony of five-day training workshop for teachers held here on Friday.

Children's Global Network Pakistan (CGN-P) with the funding support of the USAID organised the workshop for the teachers of earlier grades (KG to Grade II) of the Bhara Kahu sector.

The initial sessions of the workshop were relating to theoretical framework, which clarified the founding principles of the interactive teaching and learning methodology. Key components discussed during the training were morning meeting, family involvement and thematic teaching.

Morning meeting is a preferred activity that allows for creativity, interaction and fun. "Activities such as the morning meeting are good way to get the children understand things like numbers and the days of the week without making it seem boring. The children become more confident in themselves and in interacting with each other," said Sobia Mushtaq, a teacher from FG Girls Secondary School Rawal Town.

"The workshop made me understand the importance of family involvement, mothers being involved in their child's classroom. The young student excels when his or her mother is present and encouraging him" says Niaz Muhammad, a first grade teacher at FG Boys Middle School, Phulgarah.

"After years of teaching in a certain manner, the training workshop opened up a whole new world of teaching techniques for me," says Syeda Fatima, an experienced teacher.

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Josh's indelible mark in poetry yet to be honoured
Islamabad: Though the government's conferral of awards on literary figures, living or dead, every year is quite encouraging, but it has yet to grant one such award to great revolutionary poet Josh Malihabadi, who left an indelible mark in the field of Urdu poetry.

Josh Malihabadi, whose original name was Shabbir Hasan Khan, migrated to Pakistan after the partition of sub-continent and breathed his last while living in this country. Though it was not an easy decision to leave his hometown but being a fiercely patriotic freedom fighter, who possessed an unprecedented love for a Muslim state, he left behind everything and settled in a country that was achieved in the name of Islam.

Farrukh Jamal, grandson of Josh Malihabadi, in his interaction, showed pride in the literary works carried out by his grandfather, but questioned the lack of acknowledgement by all of the successive governments of the poet's services, still considered one of the greatest Urdu poets of all time.

"It is really unfortunate that a poet, who made waves in the field of poetry and influenced many generations with his unmatched and unique ideas and thoughts, has never ever been bestowed with any national award," he said pointing towards a number of awards conferred on literary figures every year by the federal government.

Farrukh said his grandfather was the greatest revolutionary poet of the pre-independence period and after the independence, the Indian government conferred upon him 'Padmabhushan', the highest literary award in India, claiming that former Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi came out of her room bare footed when she heard that Josh Malihabadi, whom she called her uncle, had arrived at her place.

Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL) launched a book titled 'Josh Malihabadi: Life & Works' in their 'Makers of Pakistani Literature' series under which up till now, more than 50 books have been published on the lives and works of the trendsetters in Urdu literature.

Josh who was born on December 5, 1898 and started working at Osmania University, but was later exiled from the state of Hyderabad for writing a poem against the Nizam. He then started a magazine named 'Kaleem' in which he openly wrote articles in favour of independence and against the British Empire.

Farrukh said Josh Malihabadi faced hard times during the martial law government of Ayub Khan, but he continued to promote his revolutionary ideas among the people, who always extended their love and affection towards him at every point in time. "No government functionary has ever mentioned the reason as to why this great poet is always ignored when it comes to national awards. Every person, possessing even a little know-how about Urdu poetry, will definitely concede the literary status of Josh, but unfortunately, it has so far never been acknowledged at government level," he said.

Josh's grandson demanded of the government to set up a Josh Literary Trust and establish a chair in his name in any mainstream university besides granting a national award to him for his great services in the field of poetry. Josh Malihabadi passed away on February 22, 1982 and was buried in a graveyard in Islamabad. Some of his important works include 'Shola-o-Shabnam', 'Junoon-o-Hikmat', 'Fikr-o-Nishaat', 'Sunbal-o-Salaasal', 'Harf-o-Hikaayat' and 'Sarod-o-Kharosh'. The news

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