Islamabad, Pakistan: The Ukrainian Embassy in Islamabad celebrated the National Day of Ukrainian Language and Literacy along with Allama Iqbal Day.
Interestingly, National Day of Ukrainian Language and Literacy coincides with Birthday of Dr. Muhammad Iqbal as both events fall on November 9.
In this special event, Political Thoughts of National Poet of Ukraine Taras Shevchenko and National Poet of Pakistan Allama Iqbal were discussed.
This event also highlighted the efforts of Ukraine to introduce work of Allama Iqbal to Ukrainian public and work of Shevchenko to Pakistani people.
A young Pakistani lady Tahira Andaleeb who is a linguistic expert, presented translation of work of Ukrainian National Poet Shevchenko while a video was shown in which students of Shevchenko University Kyiv sang popular poem of Allama Iqbal Lab pay Aiti Hay Dua Ban Kay Tamana Meri.
Senior journalist and Political analyst from Pakistan Agha Iqrar Haroon in his paper did a comparative study between the works of Shevchenko and Allama Iqbal.
Addressing the event, Ambassador of Ukraine in Pakistan H.E. Mr. Volodymyr Lakomov stated that November 9 is (was) scheduled for the very special celebration – Day of Language and Literacy, which will be celebrating throughout the world by Ukrainian speaking people.
He was of the view that language is (was) believed to be a basic essential element of nation-construction process and represents cultural aspect of any nation.
He informed participants that Taras Shevchenko’s most famous poetry – “The Testament” (as well as some others) has been translate into Urdu language by talented Tahira Andaleeb.
Talking about works and lives of Taras Shevchenko and Allama Iqbal, Ambassador stated that both were patriots and freedom lovers, fighters for independence, peace and tolerance and both created an ode to the beauty of nature and inspired people to struggle for their dignity.
He was of the view that both poets gave their people a hope and created a special spirit of survival and resistance.
Agha Iqrar Haroon while talking about Ukrainian National Poet Taras Shevchenko stated that thousands of books cannot cover the work, dedication, commitment and thoughts of great people like Taras Shevchenko.
Giving background of work of Taras Shevchenko, Haroon said that Taras was a serf by birth but he was born with ability of thinking as a Freeman and all of his life, he paid the price of this freedom of his soul and lived more than half of his life in imprisonment and exile.
Haroon said that Taras knew the cost of his Free Thoughts and the cost he paid all of his life but never compromised with thoughts- subjugation.
“Barred from thinking as a Ukrainian, he not only thought as Ukrainian whole of his life rather he never left sketching Ukrainian female figures and culture in his paintings and never stopped writing Ukrainian poetry and prose. All his life and creative work were dedicated to the people of Ukraine.
He dreamed about the times when his country would be a free sovereign state, where the Ukrainian language, culture and history would be highly valued, and the people would be happy and free”, commented Agha Iqrar.
