TRIBUTE TO A LEGEND : ATA UL HAQ QASMI
By Rehman Asif
rehmanaseef@yahooo.com
Before starting my column I was hesitant to write about Mr. Ata Ul Haq Qasmi as it seemed to me a herculean task to writeabout such a great personality without possessing a significantpositionbearing difference in social status quo. Sooner I realized that evidence does not need proof. Coming to the title, I feel myself very fortunate to be the member and part of the social circle of Mr. Qasmi. My good luck knocked at the door of my life during my posting at Punjab Library Foundation where Qasmi Sb wasChairman of its Board of Governors. By the virtue of my professional career,I‘ve got an opportunity to spent plenty of time with Qasmi Sb. At that time, I was not inclined towards column writing but hecame up like a beacon of light who enlightened my bosom and became the only source of encouragement and motivation for me to step forward and to jot down my ideas. To pick a pen and write about such legend of the contemporary period is actually beyond my capacity and competency as well. But it is essentially my love and respect for him which encouragesto pen down my thoughts and beliefsin order to play my role in the betterment of the society. As far as his personality is concerned, during my life span, he is undoubtedly one of those personalities who are inspirational but I didn’t find anyone parallel to his genuineness and candidnesswhich is dominant by his aptitude to remain down to earth all the time.It is beheld by his soft and kind attitude towards all his subordinates even with office boys and drivers.
If we throw light on his literary contribution towards society via work which includes his columns, poetry,itinerariumand play writing. No doubt his contribution towards the motherland and nation is priceless. His writings clearly reflect the feelings of freedom and he has written many articles on the social inequalities of the society too. He has bravely taken a stance against the dictatorship many timesduring the period of Martial Law which indorses his undaunted quest for veracity. His writings are composed in such a mollifying way against the inequalities of the society even on serious issues that unveils his far sightedness on the socio-political scenario. His prolific literary work has timeless impact on Print and Electronic Media which shall be remembered for centuries.
His novel writing style makes him distinguished and unparalleled in the literary world which keeps the readers spellbound and elated till the last line.His play writing was again a tremendous contribution towards the betterment of the society for instance his PTV dramas Khawaja and Son, ShabDaig and SheedaTalli are matchless in its creativeness. These dramas were so popular whichmake the roads free from traffic on broadcasting.
Words do not have the quality to cover his exquisite contributions in a single column. Being a part of society in lieu of my personal experience, I must articulate that we are unable to pay a tribute to this legend in a way as he deserves. As a nation, we must, have to acknowledge our legends to accoladetheir contributions and great role in disseminating positivity and altruism. May Allah keep us blessed by his presence and the radiance from the candle may continue to dazzle our hearts.
