The Writers’ Forum, Kuwait held its Annual General Meeting on Friday, 24th April 2015 at the residence of Dr. MU Beg, and after a successful tenure of two years, led by Dr. Mirza Umair Beg (President) and Rajesh Verlekar (General Secretary), it was time for the mantle to pass on to a new team.
It was a unanimous decision to choose Mr Umesh Sharma, a noted Hindustani poet and one of the founder members as the President of the Forum for the two year term spanning 2015-2017. The members of the Forum also whole-heartedly supported Dr. Waseem Siddiqi, who is a well-known short story writer to be Vice-President for the new term. Mrs Tajwer Sultana, a fine poet in Hindi/Urdu was the unanimous choice as the General Secretary in the new Committee. Mr Sunil Sonsi, the erstwhile General Secretary and Amer Diwan a poet in Hindi and the erstwhile Joint Gen. Secretary were appointed the Joint General Secretary and the Treasurer respectively.
Syed Qamar Minto and Naseem Zahid- accomplished poets in Urdu are also the members of the Executive Committee.
The Writers’ Forum is a unique platform which encourages and invites writers in all Indian languages and gives them a valuable opportunity for expression and enrichment. It is a registered association with the Indian Embassy in Kuwait. Stories and poetry and critiques/articles in at least ten Indian languages have been recited and heard in the meetings and programmes of the Forum, ever since its inception in 1995. The Forum strongly urges the Indian community in Kuwait to encourage the literary bent of mind in themselves and associate actively with the Forum. Not only can one share and express what one has written but can feel enriched listening to literature in the varied and rich Indian languages. The member presenting a story or a poem in any language, also offers a translation of the same for the understanding of all present in the meetings.
The new Executive Committee of the Forum comprises those who are well-known; accomplished writers along with those who are gradually carving a niche for themselves in the literary circles. The young and the seniors—both are well represented and it is expected that the Forum shall set out towards new heights with renewed vigour and vision. The outgoing President Dr. Beg, in his speech said that he feels proud to be associated with the Forum in many ways. He also said that he was truly happy to be part of the Committee which touched a new height in the history of the forum; and emphasized the need of inclusion of more Indian languages. He also conveyed his best wishes to the new torch bearers.