An Impressive Book-Launching
Ceremony
By Farhana Rizvi
Pictures by Naushad Sarwar
Well-known writer Tasneem Sana Khan’s
book-launching ceremony on July 15 2006 at the Village Restaurant
in Anaheim, California, was a highly successful event as it
brought together a large number of famous writers and poets
as well as the leading lights of the community.
Urdu Link’s well known columnist Mr. Qamar Ali Abbasi
and Radio and TV’s famous artist Nilofer Abbasi came
especially from New York to attend the event. Mr. Abdul Rahman
Siddiqui flew from Maryland and Shanaz Imtiaz from Arizona
to be present on the occasion.
Though parking lots in the US cities are spacious, such was
the number of enthusiastic attendees who turned up well in
advance of the ceremony that the space fell short and many
individuals did not know where to park their cars! Tickets
were sold out and there were no seats available in the hall
after 8:30 PM. It was a ‘house-full’ event.
Above:
Pictures taken on the occasion of the launching of Tasneem
Sana Khan’s book “Asslaam A lekum America.”
The first picture in the top row shows the author with
Mr. Qamar Ali Abbasi. Both Tasneem Khan and Qamar Ali
Abbasi are regular columnists of Urdu Link. Speakers on
the occasion are seen in the first two rows. Several groups
of guests who turned up and contributed to the success
of the book-launching ceremony are also seen above. |
The
program was conducted by Nilofer Abbasi and she gave a good
account of herself. The speakers who shared their views about
Tasneem’s book ‘Asslaam A lekum America’
included Qamar Ali Abbasi, Zafar Abbas, Zia Khan, Irfan Murtaza,
Anwar Khawaja, Mrs. Asifa Nishat and Mrs Shanaz Imtiaz. According
to Qamar Ali Abbasi, Sana Khan is the first young woman from
the US and Europe who has written an interesting book based
on her columns.
Tasneem Sana remarked in her speech, “My readers are
my strength. That is why I am keeping this up for the last
15 years. I receive several emails every week which are my
reward. “ She also read her famous column “Hum
duaa likhtay rahay”
Tasneem’s son Temoor also talked about her mother in
his speech while Natasha Khan, her daughter, presented bouquets
of flowers to the guests.
At the book-signing table, over 100 books were sold like hot
cakes, an impressive number by any count. Mr. and Mrs. Naseem
Ahmed paid $100 for a copy, in excess of the price listed
on the book.
A mushaira was held after the book-launching ceremony. It
was hosted by Dr Feroz Alam. Mr. Abdul Rahman Siddiqui and
Shanaz Imtiaz were the chief guests. The program was sponsored
by TNW Realtors (tnwrealts.com).
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