THE ONLY IMPORTANT THING IN A BOOK IS THE MEANING IT HAS FOR YOU
W, SOMERSET MAUGHAM
MILAD UL NABI (S.A.) MUBARAK TO MY READERS. Would like to share a very fortunate meeting during the Milad Celebration maukib with a very talented mumin bhai - a true Achiever, about whom I had heard but had an opportunity to meet and interact for the first time. Dr. Shafaqat S. Rahi is a true achiever in the field of Gujarati Literature, specially Gujarati Gazals, although his literary works comprising in all of 32 publications, covers all genres, and he is also been writing in many renowned syndicated columns.
Dr. S.Rahi received his Doctorate from Gujarat University in 1991 and besides that has received many awards and accolades from prominent Gujarati literary circles. It was a real privilege to talk with an Achiever of our community. As we interacted over coffee I traveled back in time, to the sixties, much before TV and Electronic Media ruled the roost, and a good book reading drove away the blues and struggles of daily living.
I recall borrowing books from Saifee Club Library - Calcutta for my mother, who had a difficult time raising five boisterous kids in a single room, which we called our home. I fondly recollect, once she got hold of a SHAYDA book, she would find solace and peace in the literary world of her own. I myself recall reading MAA TE MAA ( in 2 parts) Another famous read of his was AMINA.
SHAYDA was the pen name of Harji Lavji Damani who studied only till Class 4 but was a genius, when it came to story telling
I write this with a purpose. I know that most of my readers may not be knowing Gujarati, I myself over the years have not read Gujarati literature, but interacting with Dr. Rahi made me aware of a lost passion and my parents. Likewise, I hope there may be elderly parents and relatives in your family, who may have learnt to read and send whats app messages, most forwards, with no individual creativity, but at the same time may be pining to read some good Gujarati literature and relive their old passion.
Dr. S. Rahi's books are available on line.
Sharing the links which may prove useful to those interested to know more about Dr. S. Rahi.
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