Shoaib Akhtar, the world’s fastest bowler,In the Mehfil-e-Urdu at the SIBF in Sharjah.
Farzana Mansoor
DUBAI (UAE): Sharjah Book Authority‘s 41st Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) witnessed a sea of fans getting frenzied after seeing the fastest bowler of the world Shoaib Akhtar at Bazm-e-Urdu’s Mehfil-e-Urdu. Sunday at SIBF will be etched in the audiences’ memory for a very long time as that is when they were introduced to the unknown facets of Shoaib Akhtar’s personality.
‘Dastaan-e-Shoaib Akhtar’ was presented by Dastango Syed Sahil Agha from India where he took people through Shoaib’s personal and professional life in form of a story laced with apt modulations and theatrics, which was hugely appreciated by the audience.
After the Dastan, Bazm-e-Urdu member Tarannum Ahmed held a ‘Ru-ba-Ru’ (conversation) with the ‘Rawalpindi Express’ and explored the unseen side of the man who himself signs out as ‘Controversially Yours’!
Shoaib Akhtar talked about his life, his journey right from his birth in a very modest family in a village in Pakistan to becoming the fastest and most feared bowler in the world in the most candid manner. He said that the more people around him tried to pull him down and demoralize him the more fiercely and higher he would soar!
Shoaib repeatedly spoke about his mother who has been his biggest support and anchor and has brought him to the position that he is, not just as a player but also as a person. He stated specially addressing the younger generation to never give up on their dreams, strive hard enough and they shall achieve as human beings have immense potential waiting to be tapped and explored.
Shoaib laid great emphasis on respecting one’s parents and respect and maintain the honor and dignity of women in general. The ace ex-pacer also spoke about his love for the written word, the importance of books and poetry, quoting Allama Iqbal whose poetry has always inspired him.
Prior to the session with the man of the evening, Shoaib Akhtar, Bazm-e-Urdu also had a book launch ceremony where ‘Saat Rang Saat Sur’ a collection of short stories penned by Late Mazhar Umeed was unveiled by the renowned veteran actor from Bollywood Raza Murad, who later also addressed the audience in his most inimitable style.
In the event, the annual magazine of Bazm-e-Urdu was released, after which the annual awards of Bazm-e-Urdu were presented. Josh Urdu Award was presented to renowned poet Zafar Iqbal, Alamdar-e-Urdu Award to Zahoorul Islam Javed and Pasban-e-Urdu Award was presented to Dinesh Kothari. This part of the event was conducted by Farzana Mansoor.
Overall, it was a treat for Urdu as well as cricket lovers who heard the most feared bowler talk about Urdu as one of the richest and sweetest languages of the world and urged the audience to take pride in it and nurture and nourish this language of love.
