Urdu edition of prison diary launched

Poetic work of Vietnam founder Ho Chi Minh unveiled at diplomat-studded ceremony

ISLAMABAD:

The Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL), under the National Heritage & Culture Division, recently organised a ceremony to launch the Urdu translation of Prison Diary, the poetic work of the renowned Vietnamese revolutionary leader, poet and founder of modern Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh.

Prison Diary is regarded as one of the significant literary works of the twentieth century. The book is lauded for giving poetic expression to imprisonment, loneliness, and human suffering, while also highlighting freedom, hope, courage and unwavering determination. The Urdu translation has been rendered by Kausar Khanum, while Najma Saqib is credited for its revision.

The ceremony was held at the Sheikh Ayaz Conference Hall, PAL, Islamabad. It was attended by diplomatic representatives of various ASEAN countries, along with writers, intellectuals and literary figures.

Ambassador of Thailand Rong Vudh Virabutr, High Commissioner of Malaysia Dato' Muhammad Azhar Mazlan, High Commissioner of Brunei Darussalam Colonel (retd) Pengiran Haji Kamal Bashah Pengiran Haji Ahmad, Ambassador of Cuba Damian Cordero Torres, Chargé d'Affaires of Indonesia Rahmat Hindiarta and Chargé d'Affaires of Myanmar Maung Maung Thon were among the distinguished guests.

PAL Chairperson Dr Najiba Arif welcomed the distinguished guests and diplomatic representatives and said that Prison Diary is not merely an account of a revolutionary leader, but also a poetic expression of human freedom, hope, courage and determination. She said that the Urdu translation of the book had been undertaken under the Memorandum of Understanding signed between PAL and Vietnam, and that it represents an important milestone in promoting literary and cultural cooperation between the two countries. She also expressed her resolve to further strengthen literary ties with ASEAN countries. At the end of her address, Dr Najiba Arif led a Fatiha for the renowned writer, poet, and intellectual Haleem Qureshi, who passed away during a ceremony at PAL the previous day, and paid tribute to his valuable literary services.

In addition, Munir Fayyaz and former Ambassador Salahuddin Chaudhry spoke about various aspects of Prison Diary, Ho Chi Minh's personality, poetry and struggle, and presented selected verses from the book.