'AMU proud of K.A. Abbas'

The AMU Tuesday remembered its alumnus K.A. Abbas, who shone as an author, journalist, filmmaker and screenplay writer.

Inaugurating a national seminar on "Bread, Beauty and Revolution: Exploring the Kaleidoscopic World of Khwaja Ahmad Abbas", Uttarakhand Governor Aziz Qureshi said Khwaja Ahmad Abbas was creative genius who started his career as a journalist while still studying at the AMU.

Abbas was an activist of Progressive Writers' Movement and a true democrat with secular thinking, he said.

Delivering the keynote address, noted historian Mushirul Hasan said that students of AMU have contributed in creating public consciousness and Abbas was one of them in relations to ideas. He said that noted progressive writers Ali Sardar Jafri and Sibte Hasan were also products of this University.

Planning Commission member Syeda Hamid noted Abbas is considered one of the pioneers of India's parallel or neo-realist cinema having written extensively for films. Abbas' column "Last Page" holds the distinction of being one of the longest running columns in the history of Indian journalism, she said.

She said that three programmes will be organized as part of his centenary celebrations.

In his presidential remarks, AMU Vice Chancellor, Lt. Gen. (retd.) Zameer Uddin Shah said that AMU is extremely proud to have an alumnus like Abbas.

Qureshi also released a book on Abbas.

As part of the celebration, a multi-media show "The Man Who Saw Tomorrow" was also presented under the aegis of Hamari Urdu Mohabbat, which highlighted Abbas' legacy and his achievements. The show included clips of some of his memorable films, photographs, his words and voice.