Worked as labour for 3 months to publish my book: Aabid Gulzar

Jahangeer Ganaie

Shopian, Jan 27: A 19-year-old youth from South Kashmir’s Shopian district inspired by the famous Kashmiri poet, Rasool Mir has published his maiden poetry collection.

Aabid Ahmad Wagay (pen name Aabid Gulzar), a resident of Woyen village in Imamsahib belt of Shopian district is currently working on his 2nd poetry collection.

While talking to the news agency—KNO, Aabid Gulzar said that while listening to the poetry of Rasool Mir on radio, he got inclined towards poetry and started writing when he was a student of class 11th.

“After passing class 10, my desire was to opt for science stream, however, financial crunch didn’t allow me to do so and I took arts subject. Currently, I am in a 3rd semester at GDC Shopian,” he said, adding that, after taking arts subject, he realized that he must do something so that he must be heard by people.

“During 2016 agitation, I got time to write more and more poems and in the year 2019, my first book was ready. However, due to the financial crunch, I wasn’t able to publish my book,” he said. “In the year 2020, I worked as a labour in local orchards for about 3-4 months and used the money to publish my first book.”

“We don’t have any land and we don’t have our own house and are residing in the house of others for decades but I don’t let my poverty come in the way of achieving my dreams,” he said.

Gulzar said his book “In Search of Lost”, is a collection of 41 poems and is based on love.

“The main message in the book is that we must teach everyone to love every creation of Allah. We should continue our love even if somebody hates us,” he said, adding that, there are hundreds of talented youth in our society who are unable to work on their dreams, however, the need of the hour is that society must help, support and encourage them.