Eminent authors charm Delhi OBA book month

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Raees Fatima and Mahboob Elahi Makhmoor, both of them having earned fame and eminence for having written extensively for children, charmed the audience by sharing their decades long experiences during the Author Session, a part of the book month event organized by the Delhi Anglo-Arabic College and Schools Old Boys Association (DAACSOBA) with the collaboration of the National Library Association (NLA) and the Rotary Club of Karachi Darakhshan (RCKD). 

The Author Session, held at the Delhi Montessori & Primary School on May 26, witnessed a detailed talk on using children’s literature for character building. The hall was packed to capacity with students, teachers and a few dignitaries. The interactive session turned out to be quite lively as the authors were inquired about various aspects of their scholastic career. 

Mahboob Elahi Makhmoor, one of the favourite writers among children’s folks across the country, revealed how he was attracted to reading books from his childhood which eventually prompted him to pick up a piece of paper and narrate his own thoughts. 

“I grew up reading Naunehal magazine and the inspirational articles of Hakim Mohammad Said the great appealed to me the most. He was the motivation to me in my childhood. I started contributing to children’s publications and the thrill of getting published lifted my spirits,” he recalled. 

“Monthly Anokhi Kahaniyan is our labour of love. It was my dream to start a magazine for children which was eventually fulfilled. The magazine has remained afloat for decades now despite the various challenges from time to time as our prime objective is to bring about a positive change in the society rather than thinking commercially,” he added. 

Raees Fatima, who has authored 18 books, many of them exclusively for children, informed the audience that, being a part of an educated family, she had the access to high quality literature in the comfort of her house from the beginning.

“I became a passionate reader from a very young age and as I was trying to absorb all that stuff the thought of writing crossed my mind and it soon developed into my hobby. I have continued putting my thoughts on paper even today and little wonder that I have authored so many books and articles despite having pursued the profession of teaching for a long time,” she observed. 

Farheen Mahmood, Senior Vice President, NLA, also gave a detailed talk on the subject and she warmed the hearts of the students in particular by urging them to try to develop a tendency of jotting down things their various activities which would enable them to improve their writing skills. Although a librarian by profession, she has continued to impress with her enormous knowledge on social issues. 

Syed Khalid Mahmood, Acting President, Delhi Anglo-Arabic College & Schools Old Boys Association, Prof Ahmed Ali Mukarram, Principal, Delhi College of Science & Commerce, and Anwar Hussain, Secretary General, NLA, also spoke on the occasion. 

The vote of thanks was presented by Prof Saeed Naqvi, Vice Principal, Delhi College of Science & Commerce, in which he lauded both the authors besides praising the continued efforts of Delhi Anglo-Arabic College and Schools Old Boys Association in promoting library and reading culture among the society.