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Lukewarm Waterfall – A Poem from Korea

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Kim, Yeondeok, a poetess from Korea, the Land of Morning Calm, shares her poem

Kim Yeondeok Korea poetess Sindh CourierPoetess Ms. Kim, Yeondeok began her literary career through the ‘Daesan University Literary Award’ in 2018. She published her first poetry collection ‘The Future of Ashes and Love’ in 2021.

Lukewarm Waterfall

I tend to have a little too much of everything.

Excessive kindness,

Excessive jealousy.

Tears, too much love, too much

Fool.

I gained a lot of weight trying to cope with the excessive world that I had inflated without even realizing it.

Enough to break up with everyone

I feel that my whole body has become soft.

Precisely calculated and erected,

The edges of the buildings look beautiful.

It is when the light dances in numerous straight lines that it unexpectedly gains strength.

When I was young, I thought excess was beautiful.

That’s definitely my weapon

Skin

I thought it was a happy love.

I thought there was no other way to become smart.

A cube with Seorak Mountain waterfall printed on six sides. If you rotate the cube horizontally, the top of the waterfall smoothly crashes into the cable car or maple tree branch. When you turn the cube vertically, each side of the waterfall breaks into pieces. The black plastic was clearly exposed between the joint surfaces. It’s the first toy I ever played with.

Waterfall index finger

Made by the thumbs pushing against each other without thinking,

Definitely going on in the dust

I don’t care about this hurt

It’s steady and doesn’t flow.

Sunlight streaming into the living room,

While pouring out tons of water.

Inside

It stays warm

To the waterfall that experienced the distorted and disorganized future all at once in the same area.

Original memory

There was no point in returning lukewarm order. On one hand, there are people who are planning a fall picnic to climb Mt. Seorak instead of the death that just happened in the palm of their hand.

They are far away and comfortable, the shadows fall over their shoulders and no one can distinguish their faces.

I stopped the cube. I had to run to them and tell them what I had touched, but at that time I lacked the language skills to shrink or crumple the living room world to my will.

It seems like that day will disappear, but it won’t disappear I stayed in the living room for years to think about what happened to the waterfall. I ate square-shaped fall food non-stop.

Repetition deceives everything smoothly. I was born as the most excessive person in an excessive family, but I couldn’t stop growing violently. What should I do? I couldn’t control it well.

Bottomless

The image of a waterfall without social skills gave me a strange sense of comfort.

***

Seoraksan Waterfall미지근한 폭포

김연덕

나는 모든 것에 조금씩 과한 편이야.

과한 친절,

과한 질투.

눈물과 과한 사랑, 과한

바보.

나도 모르게 엄청나게 부풀려 놓은 과한 세계를 감당하느라 살이 쪘다.

모두와 헤어질 만큼

온몸이 부드러워졌어.

정밀하게

계산되어 세워진 빌딩들 모서리가 아름답네. 빛은 여러 직선으로 곤두박질 때야 불시에

힘을 갖는 거구나.

어렸을 때는 과한 아름다운 알았어. 그게 나의 무기

피부

즐거운 사랑인 알고.

똑똑해지는 다른 법은 없는 알고.

여섯 면에 설악산 폭포가 인쇄된 큐브. 가로 열을 돌리면 폭포의 꼭대기가 케이블카나 단풍나무 가지에 매끈하게 박히고, 세로 열을 돌리면 폭포의 면들이 조각나 쪼개지던. 접합면 사이사이 검은색 플라스틱이 적나라하게 드러나 있던. 처음으로 갖고 놀던 장난감이야.

폭포는 검지

엄지가 무심결에 서로 밀며 만들어내는,

먼지 속에서 확실히 진행되는

상처에도 개의치 않고

흐르지 않고 의연하다.

엄청난 양의 물을 쏟아내면서도

거실로 가로질러 들어오는 햇빛

안에

따뜻하게 멈춰 있다.

같은 면적으로 뒤틀리다 흐트러지는 미래를 한꺼번에 경험한 폭포에게

원래의 기억

미지근한 질서를 되돌려주는 것은 의미가 없었어. 한쪽에서는 방금 손바닥 위에서 일어난 죽음 대신 설악산 등반 가을 소풍을 계획하고 있는 이들이 있네.

그들은 멀리 있고 편안하고 그림자가 그들의 어깨까지 드리워져 누구도 그들 얼굴을

구별할 없어. 큐브를 멈추었다. 그들에게 달려가 내가 만진 것을 이야기해야 했지만 그때는

거실 세계를 뜻대로 줄이거나

구겨 던져버릴 만한 언어 구사력이 부족했지. 그날이 사라질 사라지지 않아 나는

년이고 거실에 남아 폭포가 겪은 일에 대해 생각하게 되었어. 각진 형태의 가을 음식이라면

쉬지 않고 먹어댔어.

반복은 모든 부드럽게 속이더라구. 과한 집에서 가장 과한 사람으로 태어났는데 격렬한 성장을 멈추지 못했는데 어쩌겠어, 조절이 되지 않더라구.

바닥 없고

사회성 없는 폭포 이미지가 이상한 위안을 주더라구.

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Gaza is Dehumanized, Western World is Silent

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Western countries, including the United States, have largely supported Israel’s actions, casting doubt on the fairness of international diplomacy in addressing the situation.

Ume Rubab

The ongoing war in Gaza, which has resulted in massive loss of life and widespread suffering, is a grave humanitarian crisis. It has been triggered by a complex web of historical and recent events, which reflects the continuing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian territories, especially the Gaza Strip. The consequences of this conflict extend far beyond the immediate loss of life and infrastructure damage; they reverberate throughout the region and test the principles of justice and compassion.

The immediate cause of the recent bloodshed can be traced back to the hostilities between Israel and Hamas, with each side blaming the other for initiating the conflict. These hostilities have a long history, deeply rooted in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The prolonged human rights violations and the deprivation of Palestinians’ right to life have fueled this ongoing confrontation.

One of the most distressing events that escalated tensions was the desecration of holy sites, notably the Al-Aqsa mosque, which holds immense significance for the global Muslim community. This act deeply saddened Muslims worldwide, leading to solidarity with the Palestinian cause.

Gaza AlJazeera
Photo: Al Jazeera

The retaliatory actions from both sides have resulted in substantial casualties, including innocent women and children. This tragic loss of life, along with the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people, illustrates the gravity of the situation. The ongoing violence and the destruction of infrastructure, including the disruption of basic necessities like food, water, and power, have created a dire humanitarian crisis.

The Gaza Strip, home to over 2.2 million Palestinians, has been under siege since 2007, with both Israel and Egypt blockading the territory. This has transformed Gaza into an open-air concentration camp, where inhabitants have long endured isolation and deprivation. The recent escalation has further exacerbated their plight, with the little support that did reach the territory being severed.

Moreover, the inflammatory rhetoric from some Israeli officials, such as referring to their adversaries as “human animals,” highlights the deeply rooted animosity that fuels this conflict and raises concerns about the potential for further violence.

Also read: Gaza has become a moonscape in war. When the battles stop, many fear it will remain uninhabitable

The international response to this ongoing crisis has revealed some unsettling dynamics. Western countries, including the United States, have largely supported Israel’s actions, casting doubt on the fairness of international diplomacy in addressing the situation. This inconsistency in applying principles of justice has been disheartening for many.

The Palestinian territories, particularly Gaza, have borne the brunt of Israeli actions over the past five decades, and the situation has become unbearable. The UN secretary general has described Gaza as a “hell on earth,” with its population living under constant blockade and humanitarian crises.

The implications of this conflict extend beyond the immediate region. It has the potential to derail efforts for reconciliation between Israel and Saudi Arabia, thus reshaping Middle Eastern geopolitics.

The suffering of the Palestinian people, who have endured decades of displacement, imprisonment, and brutality, cannot be overlooked. The endless Nakba, a term used to describe their ongoing tragedy, must come to an end.

Gaza Al Shifa Hospital Instagram
Photo: Instagram

To achieve a lasting peace in the region, a comprehensive plan for Palestinian statehood must be considered. This would require international cooperation and support for a fair and sustainable resolution.

In these challenging times, Muslims worldwide should rekindle the concept of the ummah, the collective Muslim community. This means standing in solidarity with their Palestinian brethren, prioritizing the principles of justice and compassion over political interests.

The words of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) emphasize the duty of Muslims to support and care for one another. The silence of organizations like the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Arab League in the face of injustice is concerning. The 41-member Muslim alliance of Saudi Arabia, among others, should play a crucial role in resolving these injustices and promoting unity within the ummah.

The situation in Gaza is a profound humanitarian crisis rooted in historical grievances and recent escalations. Achieving a resolution requires international cooperation, a commitment to justice, and a united response from the Muslim community, guided by the principles of compassion and solidarity. It is hoped that Allah guides and unites all Muslims in their efforts to alleviate the suffering of Palestinian Muslims and protect the sanctity of Al-Aqsa mosque.

___________________

Ume Rubab LarkanaUme Rubab is a postgraduate in political science based in Larkana, Sindh.

 

Breed – A Poem from Korea

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Kim, Sinyong, an eminent poet from Korea, the Land of Morning Calm, shares his poem

Kim, Sinyong

Kim Sinyong Korea Poet Sindh CourierPoet Mr. Kim, Sinyong was born in Busan in 1945. He made his literary debut in 1988 with Yangdong Poetry – ppyeogdagwijib and six other works in the first edition of Modern Poetry Thought, a poetry Mook magazine. His poetry collections include ‘Abandoned People’ (1988), ‘Record of Dog Days’ (1990), ‘Walking in a Dream’ (1998), ‘Passion of Fantasy’ (2005), ‘Dojanggol Psalms’ (2007), and ‘Bazhaul’. ‘Leaning on’ (2011), ‘Carp’ (2013), ‘Rain falls even inside the human body’ (2019), ‘Holding you, there was another life there’ (2021), collection of poems ‘The Thing to Blow’ (2009), etc. His prose collection includes ‘There’s a round, flat gaze falling away’ (2019). His full-length novels include ‘Confessions 1 and 2’ (1994), ‘The Mechanical Parrot’ (1997), ‘Where is the Moon 1. 2’, <Confessions republished under this title> (2003), and ‘Do You Know Birds?’ (2014) published. He received many literary awards. Cheon Sang-byeong Poetry Award in 2005, Nojak Literary Award in 2006, Sowol Literary Award Excellence Award in 2006, ‘Poetry of the Day’ selected by the book publisher ‘Author’ in 2007, Other awards include the 2013 Webzine Poets Square ‘Good Poetry of the Year Award’, the 2013 Goyang Haengju Literary Award, the 2017 Han Yu-seong Literary Award, and the 2021 Contemporary Buddhist Literature Award.

Breed

Hey, there are people who use cormorants to catch fish.

Oh my gosh, you can catch fish using cormorants!

To turn a winged cormorant into a sharp fishing hook in the water!

How on earth did they tame it? That cormorant…

How was it possible to raise flying cormorants?

Look, a cormorant with its neck tied with a string is nimbly diving into the water.

After a while, it leaps out of the water with the fish it caught in its mouth.

But the cormorant cannot swallow the fish it catches.

The neck is tied with a string, so even if cormorant swallow the fish, it will remain stuck in y cormorant’s throat.

All a person has to do is take out the fish caught in the cormorant’s neck.

Then the hungry cormorant dives into the water to catch fish.

This repetition is how to easily catch fish using a cormorant.

How to make a winged cormorant into a sharp fishing hook in the water

The important thing at this time is to feed the cormorant regularly at a set time.

When catching fish, keep cormorant’s stomach as empty as possible.

Then the cormorant swims harder in the water.

A hungry cormorant will not run away even if you let it into the water.

After hunting fish by going in and out of the water more diligently, when the cord around the cormorant’s neck is loosened, it can eat live fish as a bonus.

A cormorant that is well-trained will follow only the person who feeds it, just like a domestic duck.

A cormorant is skilled at catching fish due to nimble movements and webbed feet.

A cormorant has transparent protective membranes over its eyes, allowing it to open its eyes even underwater.

 

Look over there! Another cormorant dives into the water.

The cormorant that has its neck tied to a string and spits out the fish it caught over and over again…

***

Cormorant_diving_for_food_in_Morro_Bay Wikipedia
Cormorant diving for catching the fish – Photo: Wikipedia

사육

김신용

저기, 가마우지를 이용해 물고기를 잡는 사람들이 있네

세상에, 가마우지를 이용해 물고기를 잡다니!

날개 달린 가마우지를 물속의 날카로운 낚싯바늘이 되게 하다니!

대체 어떻게 길들였을까? 가마우지를

하늘을 나는 가마우지를 어떻게 사육할 있었을까?

저기 봐, 목이 끈으로 묶인 가마우지가 날렵하게 물속으로 잠수를 한다

잠시 후, 잡은 물고기를 물고 밖으로 솟구친다

그러나 가마우지는 잡은 물고기를 삼킬 수가 없다

목이 끈으로 묶여 있어 잡은 물고기를 삼켜도 목구멍에 걸려 있게 된다

사람은 가마우지의 목에 걸린 물고기를 꺼내기만 하면 된다

그러면 배가 고픈 가마우지는, 물고기를 잡기 위해 물속으로 잠수를 한다

반복이, 가마우지를 이용해 손쉽게 물고기를 잡는

날개 달리 가마우지를 물속의 날카로운 낚싯바늘이 되게 하는

이때 중요한 것은 가마우지에게 먹이를 정해진 시간에 규칙적으로 주는

물고기를 잡는 시간에는 뱃속이 최대한 비어 있게 하는

그러면 가마우지는 열심히 물속을 헤엄치게 된다

배가 고픈 가마우지는 물가에 풀어 놓아도 도망가지 않는다

부지런히 물속을 드나들며 물고기를 사냥한 후, 목의 끈이 풀리면

살아 있는 물고기를 보너스로 먹을 있어, 그렇게 길들여진 가마우지는

마치 집에서 기르는 오리처럼 먹이를 주는 사람 뒤만 졸졸 따르게 된다

날렵한 몸짓과 물갈퀴가 있어 물고기를 잡는 데는 숙련공인, 가마우지

눈에 투명한 보호막이 있어 물속에서도 눈을 있는, 가마우지

 

저기 봐! 가마우지가 물속으로 잠수를 한다

 

목이 끈에 묶여 있어 잡은 물고기를 울컥 토해내고 토해내는, 가마우지가

__________________

SU Students Highlight Importance of CPEC

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Sindh University’s final year students present their research project   

Jamshoro, Sindh

Four final year students of Department Of Political Science, University of Sindh presented on Monday their research project “China Pakistan Economic Corridor: Discovering Pakistan’s Economic, Geo-Strategic and Political Position in South Asia’.

Research scholars, Ms. Tooba Sahito, Mr. Zahid Hussain, Mr. Nabeel Ahmed and Mr. Zeeshan Rehman concluded their presentation that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has played a pivotal role in developing the infrastructure in Pakistan.

“With projects, ranging from highways and energy infrastructure to the development of Gwadar port, the CPEC has strengthened the strategic partnership between China and Pakistan, fostering economic ties and collaboration in various sectors, including trade, technology, and defense,” they said.

“The corridor has the potential to stimulate economic growth in Pakistan by attracting foreign investment, creating job opportunities, and boosting various sectors such as manufacturing & agriculture etc.” they said.

Their research was supervised by Prof. Dr. Ghulam Akbar Mahesar. (PR)

______________

Situation in Afghanistan threatens entire Central Asia – Afghan politician

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Now, the situation is more dangerous for the region than for the international community – Former Governor of Herat

Dushanbe

Amir Muhammad Ismail Khan, a prominent figure in Afghanistan and former governor of the Herat province, expressing his views on the current situation in Afghanistan during the “Herat Security Dialogue” in Dushanbe, emphasized that the present situation in Afghanistan is a regional and global problem, and its victim is not only Afghanistan itself, Asiaplustj.info reports.

Ismail Khan noted that the international community has a direct connection to what is happening in Afghanistan, as NATO, the United States, and others have been present there for the past 20 years. He commented on the situation, stating that Afghanistan became a victim because it did not want American presence. From the regional perspective, there was a soft approach toward the Taliban. However, after America’s departure, the situation changed completely. Now, the situation is more dangerous for the region than for the international community. Ismail Khan expressed hope that the region understands the reality of this danger and will exercise caution. If this is not done, not only Afghanistan but the entire region will suffer even more.

He pointed out that the opponents of the current government in Afghanistan have no disagreements among themselves, and they are waiting for favorable conditions to unite.

Ismail Khan mentioned that regional meetings like the “Herat Security Dialogue” are mostly ineffective and only provide participants with an opportunity to speak and express opinions.

He also stated that the international community, especially foreign countries, not only continues to intervene in the situation in Afghanistan but is also at the center of the problems in the country.

Amir Muhammad Ismail Khan, a prominent figure in Afghan politics for the past few decades, was briefly held captive by the Taliban after they came to power in Afghanistan in the summer of 2021. After his release, he went to Iran.

The 11th round of the “Herat Security Dialogue” is taking place in Dushanbe on November 27-28, 2023, with Ismail Khan participating for the first time alongside other officials from the former Afghan government. Representatives from the UN, the United States, Pakistan, Iran, and other countries are also participating in the meeting.

It was previously reported that invitations were extended to representatives of the Taliban, but they are not participating in the conference.

The “Herat Security Dialogue” has been held in Dushanbe for the second year. Last year, the meeting involved officials from the former Afghan government, politicians, and experts from Tajikistan and the region, discussing the “Inclusive Political System in Afghanistan: Methods, Models, and Figures.”

s2.730x0 (1)Tajikistan also invited Taliban representatives  

The authorities of Tajikistan have also invited representatives of the Taliban movement to participate in the dialogue, Asiaplustj.info reports.

For the 11th round of the “Herat Dialogue,” representatives of all political groups in Afghanistan have been invited to the Tajik capital. This includes an invitation extended to the Taliban, according to Dovud Murodiyon, the head of the Afghanistan Strategy Institute, regarding the organization of the Dushanbe meeting.

“Invitations have been sent, but whether they will participate in the meeting or not is unclear,” said Dovud Murodiyon.

It was noted that various issues related to the changing situation in Afghanistan will be discussed at the upcoming session. Topics will include national dialogue for the development of democracy, gender equality, the delivery of humanitarian aid to the population, a return to civilized, traditional Islam, and solidarity with neighbors.

Last year, the meeting took place with the participation of officials from the former government of Afghanistan, politicians, and experts from Tajikistan and the region, focusing on “Inclusive Political System in Afghanistan: Methods, Models, and Figures.”

From 2012 to 2021, the “Herat Security Dialogue” took place in the Afghan city of Herat.

___________

Courtesy: Central Asian Light (Posted on November 27, 2023)

Now Pakistani students can learn Turkish language

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One of Pakistan’s largest education foundations introduces Turkish language for students. Ghazali Education Foundation, Yunus Emre Institute ink memorandum of understanding

Aamir Latif

KARACHI, Sindh Pakistan

One of Pakistan’s largest education foundations has introduced the Turkish language as an elective subject in its schools and colleges across the country.

Ghazali Education Foundation and Yunus Emre Institute Pakistan inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in the capital Islamabad last week, under which the latter will provide support vis-a-vis preparation of Turkish language courses and teaching.

The executive director of Ghazali Education Foundation, Aamir Anjum Jafri, and the head of Yunus Emre Institute Pakistan, Halil Tokar, signed the MoU.

“There are two main objectives of introducing the Turkish language in our educational institutes. First, to educate Pakistani students about the centuries-old historical and cultural relations with Türkiye, and secondly to enable them to get a share in growing Turkish markets and corporate sector,” Jafri told Anadolu.

Also, he added, it will also help break the “language barrier,” and bring the people of the two countries further closer.

Endorsing the views, Tokar said that aside from teaching Turkish to Pakistani students, their Turkish counterparts are also taking an interest in learning Pakistan’s national language Urdu.

He said that a vibrant Urdu Department has been functioning at Istanbul University for the last 115 years.

Ghazali Education Foundation, a non-profit organization, is currently running 825 schools and colleges across Pakistan with a student and teacher strength of 125,000 and 5,000 respectively.

_________________

Aamir Latif is a Karachi-based senior journalist. He represents Anadolu, a Turkish news agency.

Courtesy: Anadolu Agency (Posted on 27.11.2023)  

Bridging the Distance between Poetry and the World

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The Amazing Revival of Kaohsiung World Poetry Festival

22 poets from 12 countries and 41 Taiwanese poets were invited bringing Kaohsiung closer to the world and promoting international exchanges of poets

Ashraf Aboul-Yazid

In an interview the Taiwanese poet Miao-yi Tu, talked about her mission in creating international literary exchange for nine years: “In 2014, I participated for the first time in the International Poetry Festival in Chile, which opened the door to the beautiful garden of international literature. I have experienced many setbacks during this time. Still I can persevere thanks to the strong Siraya blood that runs through my veins—it strengthens me when the going gets tough.”

Ashraf Aboul-Yazid and Miao-yi Tu exchanging the books
Ashraf Aboul-Yazid and Miao-yi Tu exchanging the books

The Siraya women and people, mentioned by the Taiwanese poet, have settled flat coastal plains in the southwest part of the island of Taiwan and corresponding sections of the east coast; forming the plains indigenous peoples— that is, occupants of flat coastal regions rather than mountain areas. Like other indigenous peoples of Taiwan they are ethnically and linguistically Austronesian.  “Taiwan” (historically Taiouwang, originated from the Siraya language belongs to some of the most spoken languages in the western Pacific. Traditionally the Siraya lived in villages, which were in constant conflict with one another. Women handled agriculture and religion, while men handled hunting, warfare and decision-making. Married couples did not live together, with the wife living with her parents and the husband living in the men’s quarters; if they wanted to see one another, the husband would have to visit in secret. The Siraya were unusual in that most women did not have children until their mid-thirties.

Four Haka Poets from Taiwan, translated into Arabic by Ashraf Aboul-Yazid
Four Haka Poets from Taiwan, translated into Arabic by Ashraf Aboul-Yazid

Miao-Yi Tu is a poet, novelist,  editor and translator in Tainan, Taiwan. She is the CEO of the Taiwan International Literature Institute. Part of her poems translated in 11 languages. I got the chance to translate a collection of her poems, published with her paintings, in Arabic.

Miao-yi Tu thanked many people from other countries who have helped her. She believes that Spanish is the dominant language in Central and South America. She can speak English fluently but her knowledge of Spanish is very rudimentary. However, she was destined to go there as she receives many invitations from international poetry festivals every year. It’s hard to refuse such hospitality, so she packed her suitcase and headed for Latin America.

Ashraf Aboul-Yazid signing the memorial autograph of the festival
Ashraf Aboul-Yazid signing the memorial autograph of the festival

In Central and South America, she read her poems in Taiwanese and presented the Taiwanese history in English. Her poems were translated into Spanish in advance, and when it was her turn, local writers would read her poems for her. Therefore, despite my lack of fluency in Spanish, she has promoted Taiwanese literature for years. She has attended international poetry festivals and made friends with writers from abroad. Moreover, she has participated in world poetry collections edited in many countries, promoting her works and other writers’ works overseas. She deeply feels that doing this alone is not enough; Taiwan must form a team to play in this literature world cup.

Last year, the iconic Taiwanese poet Kuei-Hai Tseng won the representative International Poetry Award Ileana Espinel Cedeño. It was significant because it was the first time Ecuador awarded an Asian poet. She remembers once, when several poets from various countries were walking down the streets of the beautiful port city of Guayaquil, she mentioned that Kaohsiung was also a beautiful port city, which spiked their interest in visiting Southern Taiwan.

Introducing the book with a gift from Egyptian crafts to the Taiwanese Hakka poet Wu Ching-fa
Introducing the book with a gift from Egyptian crafts to the Taiwanese Hakka poet Wu Ching-fa

In this way, she initiated the connection between the Caribbean and the Taiwan Strait. The last time Kaohsiung held an international poetry festival was in 2005. Kaohsiung has remained silent in the face of international literary circles for eighteen years. Therefore, on her return to Taiwanese, she discussed this issue with senior members of Kaohsiung’s literary circles. Thanks to the hard work of many, Kaohsiung World Poetry Festival2003 —with this connection with the Southern Hemisphere—becomes a reality. In the grand river of international literature, Taiwanese literature runs toward the sun in a beautiful rhythm that flows gently.

I translated a selection of Miao’s poems into Arabic, entitled The Are the Daughters of Siraya. They were illustrated by her paintings.

Miao – Yi Tu also invited me to join the Project of Hakka Poets into other languages. Four Hakka poets were nominated to translate their selections in Arabic, from English texts. These are the poems translated for each of them

Exchanging books with Hakka poet Fang-Tzu Chang
Exchanging books with Hakka poet Fang-Tzu Chang

Du Pan Fang-ge’s poems are, The Play of Peace, The Ghost Festival, Shell Ginger, Flowers, The Voice, The Way, Dreams, When the Light Is There, The Cocoon of, Sorrow, The Salt Field Buffalo and Paper People. Tseng Kuei-Hai’s poems are: A Patient, Let’s go fly a kite, Glasses, A Writer’s ID Card, The Prophet and the Truth, Executive Ground, Night Flowers Blossoms—for my wife and every Hakka woman, A Pinpu, Holo and Hakka Taiwanese, Purple Crow Butterflies’ Winter Festival and A Lonesome Bird’s Journey. Wu Ching-fa ‘s poems are:  Rice Mother’s Horse That Trotted Backwards, Navel, The Key, A Ruin, Morning Glory in Evening Mist, Knocking at the Door, Words in a Dream , An Incoming Call and Don’t Let the Bullets Fly. Fang-Tzu Chang’s poems are Unforgettable Bai-leng, Aqueduct, Presence, Making Sounds, Cracks , Tied in a Bow, We Are Standing Here, Where Our Hearts Both Arrive , At a Nightfall as Coco Magnolias Bloom, Claws Stuck In – On Dapu Controversy, A Flower, Flowers Bloom in Front of Us and Hakka. I had the chance to meet three of them; Tseng Kuei-Hai, Wu Ching-fa, Fang-Tzu Chang and the daughter of the late poet Du Pan Fang-ge.

Poets show the festival anthology of 63 invited participants
Poets show the festival anthology of 63 invited participants

The inauguration of the festival brought memories of its last edition. After 18 years, the 2023 Kaohsiung World Poetry Festival was revived with the theme “The Distance between Poetry and the World” and its grand opening was held at the Municipal Library. Mayor Chen Qimai personally attended to pay tribute to Dr. Zeng Guihai and other poets. This year’s Kaohsiung Poetry Festival has 22 poets from 12 countries and 41 old, middle-aged and young generation poets from Taiwan. A total of 63 poets have been invited to participate.

Chen Qimai said that Kaohsiung is a city that pays attention to human rights and diverse ethnic groups. It also attaches great importance to cultural nurturing and praises poets and writers. It is an important intangible asset of the country and a symbol of a great city, and beauty will last forever in people’s hearts. We hope that the World Poetry Festival will be held regularly in the future so that more poets can gather in Kaohsiung.

Chen Qimai said that Kaohsiung has a beautiful and diverse ethnic group, so at the beginning of the event, the Nibuen Chorus was invited to perform, followed by local musicians from Meinong and Golden Melody Award winners Lin Shengxiang and Dazhu Yan. Kaohsiung pays attention to the indigenous people in the city, Hakka and other ethnic groups, today is also the Kaohsiung Gay Parade. Last night, rainbow lights were raised at the Pop Music Center to warmly welcome different ethnic groups, cross-fields, and different genders, expressing their love for the land of Kaohsiung and their feelings for the city.

Chen Qimai then recalled that when the Poetry Festival was first held in 2005, he once read the poem “Tomorrow’s New City” with Dr. Zeng Guihai. He praised the poets for using concise words to express their observations and reflections on social life and express their spiritual feelings for the countryside; Kaohsiung Transforming into a city with cultural depth is the result of the efforts of many people here. As Dr. Zeng Guihai mentioned in his speech, Kaohsiung, as a sacred place for democracy, has gone from being a marginal area of mainstream culture in the past to cultivating a strong understanding of human rights and humanity through everyone’s efforts.

63 poets from Taiwan and 12 other countries
63 poets from Taiwan and 12 other countries

He also proudly said that Kaohsiung has the world-class Niboun Chorus, which was tempered in a hard-working environment, as well as many outstanding poets and writers. He also expressed his gratitude to Dr. Zeng Guihai for winning the Ecuador Huiyeji International Poetry Festival last year. The International Poetry Award expressed congratulations on the resumption of this year’s Poetry Festival; he said that poets and writers are important intangible assets of Taiwan. They are symbols of the great city. In the land of Formosa, excellent and beautiful literature has been created. His works, poems and novels will remain in our hearts forever and be seen by the whole world.

The Cultural Affairs Bureau pointed out that the Kaohsiung World Poetry Festival was first organized in 2005 when Chen Qimai was the acting mayor. After years of planning, in order to restore artistic life after the epidemic, it originated from the Kaohsiung poet Zeng Guihai who was awarded the “Ecuador Huiye Foundation” in November last year. International Poetry Festival” The 15th Ileana Espinel Cedeño International Poetry Award has decided to resume the event this year through poetry. There are 22 poets from 12 countries including Ecuador, the United States, Spain, Japan, South Korea, Egypt, and Malaysia, and 41 poets from Taiwan. A total of 63 poets from the old and younger generation were invited to participate, bringing Kaohsiung closer to the world and promoting international exchanges of poets.

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Ashraf Aboul-Yazid is a renowned Egyptian poet, journalist, novelist, travelogue writer and translator. He is author of around three dozen books and Editor-in-Chief of Silk Road Literature Series.   

Deepak Asha – Remembering a legendary Film Director

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Deepak lives in the hearts of Sindhis for national song “Jiye Muhinji Sindh, Maa Ta Ghoriyan Panhji Jind, Panhje Abane Watan Taan”, he composed, and sung by another legendary singer Bhagwanti Nawani

By Nasir Aijaz   

Deepak Asha, whose original name was Dharam Kumar Tolani, is one of the many legendary Sindhi personalities who earned name and fame in India and beyond after the migration from Sindh due to partition of subcontinent in 1947.

Deepak Asha, born on November 26, 1919 at Tando Adam, a town in Sindh province of Pakistan, was an Indian film director, actor and writer. Deepak was not highly educated, as he studies only up to third standard, but had lot of knowledge due to informal education, experiences and observations of life.

Deepak, who had to migrate to Bombay, India along with family, stayed in refugee camp like other hundreds of thousand Sindhis. He suffered a lot during stay in refugee camp but did not give up and worked even as a laborer for the survival. He often used to visit other Sindhi families living in the refugee camp helped them resolve their problems. Realizing the desperation spreading among the displaced Sindhis, he would console and encourage them. For raising their morale, Deepak formed a group of male and female youngsters to hold musical concerts for the community where they sung revolutionary and national songs.

Abana_VCD_FrontCover
Poster of Sindhi film Abana

Deepak produced and directed several Sindhi, Hindhi and Punjabi films including first Sindhi film ‘Abana’

Deepak became a popular figure among Sindhis across the India as he used to visit different cities and towns where Sindhis had settled in refugee camps or townships. Deepak also started publishing a magazine titled ‘Sindhi Sansar’, which highlighted the issues faced by scattered Sindhi communities. Later, Deepak turned to producing and directing the movies. Credit goes to him for pioneering Sindhi film industry. He was a well-mannered and polite person, and for that was loved by Sindhi community.

He had directed many notable Sindhi, Hindi and Punjabi films, including Abana, a Sindhi film (1958), Jalte Deep 9Hindi) and Ghamandi (Hindi), Spy in Goa (1966), Road No. 303 (1960), Rustom Kaun (1966), and acted in Sindhi films Jhulelal (1964), Ladili (1966), Shal Dhiyar Na Jaman (1968) and ‘Et Anjan Ma Nandhri Ahyan’ (1970). Renowned Indian film actors including Ameetabh Bachan starred in his films.

585px-Jalte-Deep-Deepak-Asha-Movie
Poster of a Hindi film Jalte Deep

He also acted in many plays including, Dhobia Jo Ishq, writen by Kishin Shaidai and Jaikishan written by Ishiwar Muflas.

While he had the honor to produce ‘Abana’, first Sindhi film of India after the partition, “Jiye Muhinji Sindh, Maa Ta Ghoriyan Panhji Jind, Panhje Abane Watan Taan” written by Deepak Asha become a most popular song for Sindhi community settled in India and elsewhere around the world. In fact, it become a national song for the Sindhi community, which is played even today at every cultural event and festivals and enthralls the audience making them to dance to the tunes of the song. This song was sung by another legendary singer Bhagwanti Navani.

Deepak Asha died on 28 July 1993 in Bombay, Maharashtra, India. In memory of Deepak Asha, the Bombay Municipal Corporation inaugurated Shri Deepak Asha Chowk on 31st January, 1999 near junction of Guru Gobind Singh and S.B.S Marg, Mulund Colony, Mulund (W). Mumbai – 82.

Deepak Asha left behind for daughters and two sons namely Meera Bhagwandas Merwani, Jyoti Lachhmandas Punjabi, Daya Rawtani, Anu Bachani Punjabi, and sons Jiwan Tolani and Haresh Deepak Asha Tolani.

Here is the list of Sindhi Films directed by Deepak Asha:

Abana (1958), Jhulelal (1964), Shal Dhiyar Na Jaman (1968) and

Raat Hika Toofan Ji (1969).

Directed Hindi Films

Jalte Deep – Director / Screenwriter /Story Writer (1950); Ghamand – Director / Screenwriter (1955); Chali mein Sasural; Sarfaroosh; Mein aur mera bhai; Road no. 303; Ek saal pehile; Rustam kaon; Captain Sheeru; Son of Hakim Tai; Diwali Ki Raat  Director (1956) and many more.

Directed Punjabi Film

Papi tare aneek; Dhaaj; Jindiri Yaar di; Sukhi Parivar; Fauji chacha; Chhala; Vilayati Babu.

Deepak Asha acted in Jhulelal (1964), Ladili (1966), Shal Dhiyar Na Jaman (1968), and Insaaf Kithe Aa (1960)

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Source: Sindhi Wiki and IMDB and other websites

 

New Sindhi Poetry Book Launched in India

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Book was inaugurated by little school kids at a ceremony in Baroda, Gujarat  

Sindh Courier Report
Vadodara, Gujarat, India

A Sindhi poetry book titled ‘Khaari Chashni’ (Sour Sweetness) written by a new young Sindhi poetess Varsha Subhash Vaswani was launched on Thursday November 23, 2023 at Activity Center, New Karelibaug in Vadodara City of Gujarat.

Book-India-Baroda-Sindh CourierBook was inaugurated by Little Kids of the Centre. Dance on Bhagat Kanwarram’s song was performed by the non-Sindhi students.

A large number of Sindhis are settled in Vadodara (Baroda), Ahmedabad and other cities of Gujarat state.

Book-India-Baroda-Sindh Courier-5Karishma Savlani was the main anchor of function while Mrs. Bharti Kewalramani, Ex-Principal, Harisheva School, Mr. Hiro Kanjwani, Municipal Councilor -Ward-6, Mr. Murli Bhojwani of Kanwar Kala Kendra, Dr. Bhajanlal Chandwani, Haresh Agnani of Sujag Sindhi Samiti and many other community members and school children attended the launching ceremony.

Book-India-Baroda-Sindh Courier-3Book-India-Baroda-Sindh Courier-1Sunita Subhash Vaswani, mother of Varsha Subhash Vaswani, herself a poetess and author of a Sindhi poetry book ‘Char Manhun’ (Four Persons), told on phone that their books are published in Perso-Arabic script of Sindhi language. “I had suggested my daughter to start writing poetry in Sindhi.”

Book-India-Baroda-Sindh Courier-4Book-India-Baroda-Sindh Courier-2Ms. Sunita said she taught Sindhi language to her daughter, who also took keen interest in learning and writing the poetry in Sindhi. Her poetry consists of social messages.

“My book was published in 2020 while my daughter’s book, has recently been published,” Ms. Sunita added.

Ms. Sunita proudly said that they are focusing on promoting Sindhi language and culture being their identity.

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Experts suggest introducing subject on Climate Change in Syllabus

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Centre of Excellence for Climate Change on Provincial level may be established in all provinces – Experts recommend at conference on Climate Change

From Correspondent  
Khairpur, Sindh

The experts at the International Conference on “Climate Change, Water Scarcity and Future of Agriculture in Current Scenario” have recommended that the subject of climate change and sustainable agriculture may be introduced from the Intermediate to the University level.

“The subject of climate change may be introduced at B.S level in the all Universities,” they urged.

“Centre of Excellence for Climate Change on Provincial level may be established in all provinces,” the experts suggested at the concluding session of conference on Friday at Shah Abdul Latif University Khairpur.

International Conference on “Climate Change, Water Scarcity and Future of Agriculture in Current Scenario: Suggesting the Way Forward for Sustainable Agriculture Growth” was organized in collaboration with Higher Education Commission.

The experts further recommended that government may establish smart climate change labs and GIS remote sensing climate change assessment labs in the Universities.

“The solar, wind, wave, tidal and geothermal power energy resources may be encouraged,” they said.

“The International Specialist Agencies may promote a better understanding of water resources and agriculture implication of climate change and to assist developing countries to improve the situation of climate change.”

“It is need of the time to improve the water management as sustainable and productive agro food sector,” experts recommended.

Prof. Dr. Khalil Ahmed Ibupoto, Vice Chancellor, Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur presided over the concluding session.

He said that the policy recommendations will be communicated to the Ministry of Climate Change and other relevant departments for implementation.

Dr. Ashfaque Ahmed, Professor, Karabuk University, Turkey, Dr. Sheeba Afsar, Chairperson Department of Geography, University of Karachi, Dr. Shuja from Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Dr. Noor Hussain Chandio, Chairman Department of Geography and Conference Secretary also spoke.

Dr. Waseem from China, Dr. Fagar from Egypt shared their views via online. More than 60 scholars from different Universities of Pakistan presented their papers on the theme.

The session was attended by Deans, Professors, Scholars and Students. The shields and certificates were distributed among the participants.

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