RIYADH, 9 November 2007 — A large number of Indian expatriates attended a poetry session organized by Tanzeem Hum Hindustani (THH) here. Local poets regaled the audience at a long session of exquisite, melodious and romantic poetry.
Rajeev Shahare, deputy chief of the Indian mission, said, “The cultural interaction between India and Saudi Arabia has intensified and this is evident from the fact that a number of Saudi students are joining Indian academic institutions.
“On the other hand, our people here in Saudi Arabia have been organizing cultural events such as this mushaira.”
Shahare, chief guest at the event, inaugurated the mushaira by lighting a lamp. “There are more than 1.6 million Indian expatriates and 40 percent of them are Urdu speakers belonging to different parts of India,” said Muhammad Quaiser, who presided over the poetry session. Quaiser, who is the president of THH, said Gulf countries are aware of India’s progress and this is the reason why Saudi students are going to India for education.
Musharaf Ali Shaker, Air-India district sales manager, K. U. Iqbal, a local journalist and J. Selan of Gulf Air, presented the poets with gifts.
Imtiaz Ahsan, THH secretary, and Liaquath Ali Hashmi, THH’s general secretary, conducted the poetry session. Quaiser also presented a shawl and a bouquet to Sahare for his contribution to the community.
