Srinagar : An outstanding writer, a top scholar and former HOD Kashmiri Department at Kashmiri University, Dr Ghulam Mohammad, popularly known by his pen name Marghoob Banihali, passed away on Tuesday at his Srinagar residence after a brief period of illness, family sources said. He was 84. The deceased was the father of renowned psychiatrist, Dr Mushtaq Marghoob.
Born in the Giri family in Bankoot area of Banihal in J&K’s Ramban district, Dr Marghoob had authored more than fifty books. In his academic career spanning decades, he was initially posted as Tehsil Education Officer before he joined Kashmiri University’s Persian Department as a professor. Dr Marghoob was the head of varsity’s Kashmiri Department even as he also served in various other departments in different capacities.After his retirement, Dr Marghoob dedicated his life to literature and research work that was greatly recongnised both at the national as well as international level.
Besides top literary organizations former Chief Ministers Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah, J&K Congress President Gh Ahmad Mir, President J&K Apni Party Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari, Chairman Peoples Democratic Front and former Minister Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen and Kashmir University condole the demise of Dr Margoob Banihali
Condoling the demise of Dr Margood Banihali National Conference President and former Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Dr Farooq paid tributes to the deceased saying that the passing away of Margoob Sahib has left us culturally impoverished. He said Margoob Sahib was a representative of the renaissance generation of writers and poets. I am deeply saddened at his passing away, I pray to Almighty to grant the deceased highest stations in Jannat. I express my unison with the bereaved family, share their grief and pray for fortitude to them at this difficult time,” he said .
National Conference President and another former Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in his condolence message said the passing away of Margoob Sahib has sent shock waves across the literary landscape of Kashmir. “The depth of imagination, creativeness and lucidity of his writings garnered him laurels and accolades. The services he rendered in his capacity as an academician, and HOD at the star-studded Department of Kashmiri at the University of Kashmir will be remembered for the years to come. The resonance of his poems, and writings will continue to enthrall the present and the coming generations. I pay my earnest tributes to him and pray for peace to his soul in the highest stations of Jannat. I express my solidarity with the bereaved family and pray for much needed strength to them to bear the irreparable loss,” he said.Both Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah expressed solidarity with Dr Mushtaq Margoob, the son of the deceased at this difficult time.
Condoling Dr Margoob’s demise, JKPCC President G.A. Mir described the passing away of Margoob Baihali as a great loss to J&K and said the deceased has contributed enormously to Kashmiri Language and literature and also recalled his best services as academician and writer.
“I have no word to express my grief over the loss of Margoob Banihali, who will be remembered for long for his tireless services as scholar, academician and writer” Mir said in a statement.JKPCC President conveyed deepest condolences to bereaved family, friends and relatives of Margoob Banihali and prayed for eternal peace to departed soul
In a condolence message issued here, J&K Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari described Prof. Banihali as a luminary whose contribution in the field of Kashmiri language and literature is an acclaimed treasurer for generations to come. “Prof. Marghoob was an eminent scholar with a tremendous hold on Dr Iqbal’s poetry. His tireless efforts in promotion and preservation of Jammu and Kashmir’s cultural heritage shall be remembered by one and all,” Bukhari said while praying for eternal peace to the departed soul.
He said that the demise of Prof. Marghoob Banhali has created a huge void not only in academic circles but among his vast social circles which is hard to be filled.
Bukhari conveyed his heartfelt condolences and extended solidarity with the bereaved family on behalf of his Party. “Apni Party stands in solidarity with the bereaved family and prays for its courage to bear this irreparable loss,” he prayed
Chairman People’s Democratic Front ( PDF) Hakeem Muhammad Yaseen also expressed profound grief and sorrow over the demise of veteran poet,academician ,writer and Islamic scholar Prof. Dr Margoob Banihali . In his condolence message Hakeem while condoling demise of Prf. Margoob Banhali has described him one of the great pioneers of Kashmiryat , kashmiri language and literature and sufi cult. ” Prof. Margoob was a towering scholar and his contribution to the promotion and preservation of rich culture and heritage of Jammu and Kashmir is outstanding, ” Hakeem said while paying rich tribute to Late Prof. Margoob . He said his contribution to Kashmiri language and literature would be written in golden words in the literary history of jammu and kashmir. He said Professor Margoob Banhali spent his hole life to serve Kashmiri language and literature. ” ” In his demise Jammu and Kashmir has lost a true patriot, ace academician,scholar and a poet par excellence , ” Hakeem maintained. He said the void created in the literary landscape of jammu and kashmir would be difficult to be filled . PDF Chairman conveyrd his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and has prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul of prof. Margoob Banihali.
Meanwhile University of Kashmir has also condoled the demise of Prof Marghoob Banihali, noted academician and former Head of the varsity’s Department of Kashmiri.
Recalling the vast contributions of Prof Banihali to Kashmir’s literary and cultural spheres as well as to the growth and development of the Department of Kashmiri, KU Vice-Chancellor Prof Talat Ahmad, officers of the varsity administration, deans and faculty members prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul and also expressed their sympathies with the bereaved family in this hour of grief. The contributions of Prof Banihali, they said, will always be remembered