GOPIO-Metro Washington hosts Independence Day bilingual poetry session

Organizers and Volunteers with speakers and invited guests / GOPIO

The Metro Washington chapter of the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) hosted the 16th annual Independence Day bilingual poetry session (Mushaira-Kavi Sammelan) at the Central Library in Arlington, Virginia.

The event was inaugurated by Dr. A. Abdulla, who in his opening remarks emphasized the significance of celebrating independence while reflecting on the challenges that have persisted over time. “Organizing such literary and cultural activities is like lighting small candles in our hearts, helping us appreciate our shared heritage, our Sanjhi Virasat. This appreciation and mutual respect are what make us human. True freedom lies in liberating ourselves from prejudices,” he said.

The Mushaira and Kavi Sammelan were chaired by retired Indian Administrative Services (IAS) officer Dr. Ashok Narayan, currently visiting the USA. It featured performances by poets including Abdullah Abdullah, Ashok Narayan, Azfar Hasan, Farah Kamran, Jameel Usman, Madhu Maheshwari, Mohammed Akbar, and others.

Over the years, the event has provided a platform for numerous poets and authors to share their works, including luminaries like professor Satyapal Anand, professor Asghar Wajahat, and Dr. K. Mohan, among others.

Speakers at the poetry session. / GOPIO

Farah Kamran’s book Surkh Shaam Ka Diya was released during the event, by the Urdu poet and short-story writer Jameel Usman. Renowned journalist, novelist, and short-story writer Nuzaira Azam presided over the session, highlighting Kamran’s perseverance, dedication, and literary contributions.

During the event, tribute was paid to the late senior poets of the Metropolitan Washington area, Rakesh Khandelwal and Gulshan Madhur, who passed away last year, in recognition of their significant contributions to the literary community. Additionally, homage was offered to the late Talat Shamim, wife of Dr. Abdullah Shamim, a former active member of the Urdu Literary Society, a subsidiary of AAA-DC. Condolences were also extended to the late Professor Ahmad Shahid Khan, a retired AMU professor and father of AAA-DC Treasurer-elect Dr. Salman Shahid.

The poetry session was skillfully moderated by Mohammad Akbar, who introduced the poets and ensured the program ran smoothly. Afzal Usmani served as the Master of Ceremonies, while Renuka Misra expressed heartfelt gratitude to all participants, attendees, and volunteers for their contributions to the event’s success. The Arlington Library was also thanked for providing the venue.

Hosted annually in collaboration with the Aligarh Alumni Association-Washington, DC, this year's event saw active participation from several organizations, including the Association of Indian Muslims of America (AIM), the Hyderabad Association of Washington Metro Area (HAWMA), the Montgomery Nawabs (MONA), and the American Society of Science, Engineering, and Technology (ASSET).

The Embassy of India in Washington, a supporter of the event since its inception in 2011, co-hosted the inaugural bilingual poetry recitation in collaboration with AAA-DC and GOPIO-Metro. Neha Singh, the First Secretary of Press and Culture at the Indian Embassy, attended the event along with representatives from various community and literary organizations.