#ashrafblog

Assalamoalaikum ❣️

Today we are celebrating Teacher's day and as you know teachers day is celebrated on 5th September every year to mark the birth anniversary of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. He was a former President of India, scholar, philosopher and Bharat Ratna recipient. On Teachers' Day, students all over the country pay respect and tribute to their teachers. In most schools, special programs are also organised to celebrate Teachers' Day on September 5. Teachers' Day is a reminder of the role that teachers play in nation-building by guiding and educating the brightest minds of our country. Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was a professor and a scholar whose work revolved around comparative religion and philosophy. He used to teach Philosophy at the Madras Presidency College, University of Mysore, University of Calcutta, the University of Chicago and also the University of Oxford. Radhakrishnan was appointed as the second President of India in 1962 and assumed office from May 13 that year. To celebrate this momentous occasion, his students and friends decided to celebrate his birthday and sought his permission regarding the same. Radhakrishnan told them, “Instead of celebrating my birthday separately, it would be my proud privilege if September 5 is observed as Teacher's Day". For school students, the day means getting roses, chocolates, gifts including handmade cards to profess their affection for their favourite teachers. For senior students, Teacher’s Day is one of role reversal and celebration. Last two years, owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, the schools and colleges were shut and the annual celebrations at the campus were replaced with virtual ones. With the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and a threat of Delta variant spreading, many schools continued to operate their online classes where virtual wishes and greetings became a perfect way to tell your teachers you love and cherish them. However, with the normalcy fast restoring and students back in campus, it is once again that time of the year when cultural programmes and events are organised in schools and colleges. Students bring flowers, sweets and cards for their teachers to express their gratitude and love while senior students dress up in formals and take/supervise classes so that teachers can take a break and enjoy the celebrations. So, We should respect all the teachers and follow their words because teachers are like our parents, we get to learn everything from them, without them we cannot move forward in life. And we should also not forget that our biggest teachers are our parents, if they were not there we would not have got a good education today. Parents showed us the right path and teachers took that path to the destination. If we didn't have parents and teachers in our lives today, we would probably be mindless and illiterate people today. Our life is incomplete without parents and teachers, so we should respect elders in our life and treat the younger ones with love.

Thank You !! 😊

S S Ashraf

Director, Bookstock

Assalamoalaikum ❣️ 20.10.2023

First of all, this blog is dedicated to my father “Syed Hamid Ashraf” on his 60th birthday. And also remember my maternal grandmother "Saleha Khatoon" on the occasion of her 11th death anniversary.

On this special day, we gather to celebrate not just the passing of another year but the life of a man who has been our guiding light, our source of strength, and our greatest inspiration. Today, we honor the birthday of a remarkable man, my father, Syed Hamid Ashraf. From the moment I entered this world, I was cradled in the arms of love. My father, Syed Hamid Ashraf, has been more than just a parent; he's been a pillar of unwavering support and an endless source of love. His love is like a warm, comforting blanket that shields us from the storms of life. Growing up, my father wasn't just a source of discipline; he was a friend who listened, understood, and guided. His wisdom has been a beacon in the darkest of times, and his advice, a treasure of insight. His presence has made even the most challenging moments in life feel conquerable. Six decades of life have granted my father a reservoir of wisdom that extends far beyond his years. His experiences, his stories, and his guidance have shaped not just my life but the lives of countless others. His wisdom is like a map that helps navigate the complex terrain of existence. Generosity flows through my father's veins. His willingness to help, to give without expecting anything in return, and to share his knowledge and resources is a testament to the generosity that defines him. He's taught us that it's not what you have but what you give that truly matters. As we celebrate my father's birthday, we also celebrate the values he's instilled in us. Values of love, kindness, resilience, and generosity. These values are not just a part of our lives; they are the essence of our family. As my father marks another year on this incredible journey, we look forward to the chapters that are yet to be written. We know that the legacy he leaves behind is a testament to a life well-lived and a family well-loved. The impact he's made on us will continue to ripple through the generations that follow. Your presence is a gift that keeps on giving, and your love is a treasure we hold close to our hearts. May the years ahead be filled with laughter, love, and more cherished moments together. "HAPPY BIRTHDAY"

On the other hand, today we are commemorating maternal grandmother (Nani's) 11th death anniversary. our hearts are filled with a mix of emotions. It's a day to remember the beautiful soul who graced our lives with her presence, wisdom, and love. My grandmother was not just a matriarch; she was a wellspring of wisdom. Her life experiences were the lessons that shaped us, and her stories were the tales that ignited our imagination. Her wisdom continues to guide us, even in her absence. The love our maternal grandmother bestowed upon us knew no bounds. It was a love that felt like a warm embrace, like a comforting lullaby, like a safe harbor. It's a love that remains in our hearts, reminding us that her love endures, even beyond the confines of time. On this day, we revisit the treasure chest of memories we shared with our grandmother. Her laughter, her comforting presence, and the moments we spent together are etched in our hearts. These memories are the threads that connect us to her, even now. As we commemorate her memory today, it's not with sorrow but with a quiet celebration of the life she lived and the love she gave. We remember her with a smile, knowing that her spirit continues to watch over us.

With love and gratitude, we remember our maternal grandmother "Saleha Khatoon" on this anniversary of her passing. Her presence continues to be felt in the beauty of our family, in the values we hold dear, and in the love we share. We honor her with deep affection and gratitude for the legacy she left behind.

Love You, ❤️

Thank You !! 😊

S S Ashraf

Director, Bookstock

Assalamoalaikum ❣️

Today, after a long time, I have got a chance to write a blog for you friends. Today is 10th September i.e. Grand Parent's Day. It is celebrated every year on 10 September. And this is also a coincidence, today is my maternal grandfather's death anniversary. On this day (10 September 1996) my maternal grandfather (Qamar Zahidi) died. Today I remember him a lot. I wish they were together, it would have been great to celebrate today with them. Well, life and death are in the hands of Allah, so we are helpless and cannot do anything. So when I was a very young child, my grandfather died and I didn't get much of a chance to spend time with him. Actually, my maternal grandfather loved me very much. He was a common man and did a small job in Patna and was also a poet (Shayar). From the beginning, he was fond of reading and writing and he had a special interest in urdu languages. He earned a lot of fame by writing a lot of poetry, ghazals, poems etc. Some of his books were also published like "Chashm-e-Nam", and recently "Saaz-e-Hayat" was also published. I am very lucky that even though I did not get a chance to spend time with him, I got a chance to read the books written by him and I got to learn a lot from that book. Friends, those whose maternal grandparents are alive today should respect and love them. I believe that maternal grandparents are like banyan trees, which strengthen every branch of the family with time. But unfortunately, in today's life we all are left broke. Over small matters, we push their relationships with their families into the fire of hatred and then turn their backs on their grandparents, parents, brothers and sisters and start hating them. In this way, today hatred has started spreading in our society and people have started maintaining distance from each other in their own homes. Today this should be taken into consideration and we all should understand the value of family and live together. Family is a great strength. Today if families are with us then we can face every difficulty and difficulty in the world. Therefore, we all should try to take special care of our parents and grandparents in our family and love them. So friends, while leaving, I would like to share some poems written by my maternal grandfather (Qamar Zahidi).

• "Suraj To Dhal Chuka Hai Tamaazat (intense heat) Nahi Gayi,

Raato'n Ko Jaagne Ki Wo Adat Nahi Gayi"

• "Sitam Mein Saikdon Rozgar Milte Hain,

Huzoor Humse Magar Kam Hi Jaan Nisaar Milte Hain"

• "Dilon Ke Haal Ka Surat Se Andaza Nahin Lagta,

Haan Waise Dekhne Mein Aaina Jhuta Nahin Lagta"

• Chhupa Kar Woh Kahan Rakhta Hai Jane Zakhm Sab Apne,

"Qamar" Ko Jab Bhi Dekha Hai Woh Afsurdah Nahi Lagta.

Thank You !! 😊

S S Ashraf

Director, Bookstock

Assalamoalaikum ❣️

Today (May 14, 2023) is mother's day, but I must say that there is no day without a mother !!

Mother is the best, truest and most beautiful relation. The most beautiful thing that Allah has created in this universe are the parents whose blessings cannot be exchanged, especially the mother is given the highest priority. The father does all the work outside the house, all the work outside is his responsibility. He leaves early in the morning and returns home at night, during which time only the mother takes care of the child, decorates and runs the house. She is responsible for all the affairs of the house, especially in bringing up, taking care of the children, fixing their food, clothes, play time, her role is very important in maintaining good discipline in the house. Mother's role is especially important in making children's language, speech, lips and accent cultured.

No matter how many mistakes the children make, the mother's heart is so generous and compassionate that she forgives the mistakes of the children, but the sad thing is that when the same mother becomes old, she cannot even walk and work. When she becomes incapacitated, the same children hesitate to keep this mother with them. The mother who did not allow any of her children to sleep on an empty stomach, today the same children do their mother a favor by feeding them two meals a day. When the mother prays, the wings of the sky move and when she prays badly, the throne trembles. The sooner we understand the importance of this superpower, the better it is because once the mother is gone, she does not come back.

And in the end the truth is that mother is everything and without mother we are nothing. That's why we need to appreciate, respect, honor and take care of the mother.

And while leaving, I would like to say a few words for my mother, whom I keep writing on social media in my spare time.

1. Kiya Farq Padega Logon Ki Baddua'on Se..

Jab Sath Ho Hamare "Maa" Ki Duaon Ka Kafila..!! (2018)

2. Mushkil Raahon Ko Bhi Asaan Bana Deti Hai..

Wo "Maa" Ki Hi Dua Hai Jo Har Mushkil Ko Mita Deti Hai..!! (2019)

3. "Maa" Wo Hasti Hai Jo Har Takleef Ko Seh Sakti Hai..

Bachhon Ko Bhar Pet Khila Kar Khud Bhuke Pet Reh Sakti Hai..!! (2020)

4. Meri Jhuti Muskaan Ko Woh Pehchan Jaati Hai..

Woh "Maa" Hai Sahab Jo Preshan Dil Ka Haal Bhi Jaan Jaati Hai..!! (2023)

Thank You !! 😊

S S Ashraf

Director, Bookstock

Assalamoalaikum ❣️

..and finally the situation of Bihar Sharif is under control "Allahumdulillah". Actually, on March 31, 2023, a Ram Navami procession was taken out in Bihar Sharif. When the procession reached Gagan Diwan locality at around 4 pm, there was an altercation between the people of the two communities and the dispute escalated. Within a short time, the matter increased a lot and brick-stones and bullets also started firing. The people of Bajrang Dal involved in the procession vandalized the mosque and hoisted the saffron flag along with this people's houses, shops, buses, madrasas etc. were also burnt. Actually all this happened due to lack of administration. This time the administration neither issued any guideline for the procession nor deployed a large number of police force in the procession. Similarly, violence took place in some other areas of the city Bihar Sharif on the second day as well. People say that all these incidents happened under a well thought out conspiracy. After all these incidents, the administration woke up and deployed a large amount of police force at various places and internet service was stopped in the city and Section 144 was imposed. It seemed as if there was a lockdown once again in Bihar Sharif. Finally, after 4 days the matter came under control. Shops etc. were allowed to open till 3 pm and internet service was also started after 8 days. At the same time, all the schools and colleges of the city were also opened from Monday, April 10, but Section 144 is still in force. The administration has so far arrested more than 100 rioters and the search for some rioters is on. Just pray to Allah that may Allah protect us all.

Ameen !! ❣️

Thank You !!

S S Ashraf

Director, Bookstock

Assalamoalaikum ❣️

Hope you all are well and healthy. I have come here after a long time. Actually I am too busy in Bookstock work for last 25 days in Kolkata. My friends and colleagues also missed me a lot, in fact they all are eagerly waiting for my birthday. Now I am in Kolkata and nowadays the weather of Kolkata is very nice. I am enjoying a lot here and spending most of the time with maternal uncle and cousins. Actually I like Kolkata very much since childhood. Kolkata blows my senses, shakes my soul. The city rejuvenates me in the evening amidst thick black thunder clouds, the constant noise of crowded streets, familiar and unfamiliar faces, multiple options of local snacks and tea, jolts of color. So you guys also come to Kolkata sometime and enjoy this city (Kuch Din to Guzariye Hamare Kolkata Mein). And I want to tell that everyone asked me when will you come to Bihar Sharif? So now my friends the wait is over, finally I am coming to Bihar Sharif on my Birthday Feb. 12. InshaAllah.

Swagat Nahi Karoge Hamara !! 😊

Thank you !! 😊

S S Ashraf

Director, Bookstock

Assalamoalaikum ❣️

As you all know today is 9th November, that is, today is celebrated as Urdu Day. On this day in 1877, the famous poet Dr. Allama Iqbal was born in Sialkot Pakistan, and today Urdu Day is celebrated to mark his birth anniversary. His father's name was Sheikh Noor Muhammed and his mother's name was Imam Bibi. The financial condition of the house was not that good, it just used to pass. His father was not very educated, his job was that of a tailor, he used to stitch clothes of people and run the house, but yes he was not educated but he was a very religious and social person.

Do you know, Urdu is an Indo-Aryan language that comes from the Indo-European language family. It is the mother tongue of about 70 million people worldwide and more than 100 million people use it as a second language in India - Pakistan. Urdu is a language that reaches the soul. It is a language that fills life in ghazals. This is the reason why songs, poetry and nazms written in Urdu reach our hearts.

You must have heard that a proverb is very famous in India. Regarding languages, it is said that if Hindi is our mother then Urdu is our aunt. This clearly shows how much importance is given to languages ​​in India. Also, how is the importance of Urdu in it, it also shows.

The birth of Urdu in India is considered to be from the period of 12th century. At that time the popular name of this language was not Urdu but Hindavi. When the number of its speakers increased rapidly and it started being spoken in different states, then its different names also started appearing, such as- Zaban-e-Hind, Rekhta, Zaban-e-Dehli, Hindi, Gujri, Deccani, Zaban-e-Urdu-e-Mullah and Urdu.

I believe that Dr. Allama Iqbal through his poetry worked to advance the Urdu language to a great extent. He used Urdu and Persian languages ​ ​ extensively in his poetry. His poetry was not easy for everyone to understand. Because he did not do common poetry, in which those who read and listened could see the words of the lover, he was a revolutionary poet, his poetry used to be filled with the philosophy of life. There used to be many mines in every single harf.

There is no doubt that Dr. Allama Iqbal was a true patriot, he wrote many such ghazals in which the flame of his patriotism can be felt. When he wrote "Tarana-e-Hind" in 1904, that ghazal was on the tongue of a revolutionary. Even today that Ghazal is repeated in every corner of India.

Sare Jahan Ae Achcha Hindustan Hamara

Hum Bulbule Hain Iski Ye Gulistaan Hamara

Mazhab Nahi Sikhata Aapas Mein Bair Rakhna

Hindi Hain Hum Watan Hai Hindustan Hamara...

Well, in today's era, all of you must have also realised that somewhere in our country, in some way or the other, efforts are being made to eradicate Urdu, and this is also true that without Urdu, All Stories, Ghazal, Nazm, Song and Poetry are all incomplete. Without Urdu, they cannot accomplish all these things, but still do not know why some people are lying on erasing Urdu. So I request special Muslim brothers and sisters to try to keep Urdu alive in their society in their homes and get their children educated in Urdu and take Urdu newspapers or magazines in their homes. Today we all ourselves are getting away from Urdu as if it will no longer exist in the future.

What a great poet has written a lot on Urdu;

"Urdu" Jise Kehte Hain Tahzeeb Ka Chashma Hai..

Wo Shakhs Mohazzab Hai Jisko Ye Zuban Aayi !!

Thank You !! 😊

S S Ashraf

Director, Bookstock

Assalamoalaikum ❣️

I am here after a long time and hope you are all well. Those days I was suffering from fever and cold, Now I am fine. Today October 20 is a special day for me. Do You know why?

Actually today is my Father's Birthday and this birthday means a lot to me because I am very lucky that today my father is in front of me. The importance of being a father is known to those whose father is not in this world. We do not respect our father until we understand his importance. How hard a father works for his son, gives him good food and drink, gives him livelihood, which a child cannot do so much for his father. I understand it this way, a father is like a shadow to his son who stands by him everywhere in every trouble and situations. So, every child should respect his father, give him self respect, follow the good things told by him and keep him happy. And not just father, respect both your parents (Father & Mother) and keep them happy always. I see nowadays people have become so busy in their work that they don't even have time to talk to their parents and sit beside them, it seems that nowadays people have forgotten the importance of parents, maybe his parents are nothing in front of him and they have no value. Even in holidays, people do not spend their time sitting with their parents, even easily spend their time with phone, laptop, TV. We should spend some moments of our life with our parents and our family so that they feel good and this will be a lesson for the children to come, seeing you doing this they will also do the same and try to follow good things . Somewhere, I believe that nowadays smart phones are creating distance in the family. Smart phones have made non-people and far-flung people closer and the near one's farther away. So, I would say to you all guys is to use your phone as little as possible, lest you become a victim of loneliness in the coming time. And last, my dua's every parents, may Allah bless every parents happy and safe.

Love You !! ❤️

Thank You !! 😊

S S Ashraf

Director, Bookstock