Pakistan Academy of Letters Honors Amin Kunjahi on International Day of Persons with Disabilities
Islamabad, The Gulf Observer: The Pakistan Academy of Letters hosted a special event to commemorate International Day of Persons with Disabilities, honoring poet, writer, and columnist Amin Kunjahi. The gathering brought together esteemed literary figures and was presided over by Dr. Najiba Arif, Chairperson of the Academy, with Director General Sultan Nasir also in attendance. The session was moderated by Masood Iqbal Hashmi.
Dr. Najiba Arif paid tribute to Amin Kunjahi, who overcame a life-altering accident early in life to emerge as a source of inspiration for his family, friends, and society. She lauded his resilience, noting that he founded an institution to support others and transform challenges into opportunities. “When God creates an apparent deficiency in a person, He compensates it with unique blessings,” she remarked, emphasizing how Kunjahi’s disability became a source of strength, enhancing his creative and moral faculties. She highlighted his contributions to literature, including poetry, short stories, and columns, with seven published works in Urdu and Punjabi.
During the session, Amin Kunjahi recounted his life journey. Born in 1961 in Gujrat to a middle-class farming family, his father’s transfer to Rawalpindi in 1964 led him to enroll at St. Paul’s Cambridge School. A kite-flying accident in fifth grade resulted in a severe hip injury, confining him to bed for 10 years. Despite these challenges, he pursued his education privately, earning a master’s degree in history by 1990.
He shared how his exposure to radio and television during his recovery years fueled his learning and creativity. His passion for cricket, hindered by his disability, was redirected toward his literary pursuits. He also expressed gratitude for securing a government clerk position, which enabled him to support himself financially.
Kunjahi’s literary contributions span poetry, short stories, columns, and travelogues, with seven published books. He also founded “Fan Kada,” an organization dedicated to nurturing young talent, countering the indifference he experienced from senior writers during his early years.
The event featured heartfelt tributes from notable poets and writers, including Hassan Abbas Raza, Wafa Chishti, Shahid Masood, Dr. Hassan Yasser Malik, Inam Muhammad, and Maria Saeed Qureshi, who praised Kunjahi’s resilience and creativity. His wife and daughter, Khadija Amin, also shared their perspectives on his unwavering dedication and kindness.
Expressing his gratitude, Amin Kunjahi thanked Dr. Najiba Arif for organizing the event and acknowledged the support of his family and peers. He remarked that while he had been devoted to literature for 42 years, this was the first recognition from a national institution.
The session concluded with a poetry recitation by Amin Kunjahi, captivating the audience and earning widespread admiration.
Prominent attendees included Farida Hafeez, Afshan Abbasi, Pannah Baloch, Saleem Akhtar, Sajid Ali, Syed Mukarram Ali, Daud Kaif, Tanzil Ahmed, Majid Qureshi, Tajammul Shah, Muneera Shamim, Saadia Aftab (daughter of Aftab Iqbal Shamim), Aftab Alam, and others. The event was a heartfelt celebration of Amin Kunjahi’s remarkable journey, creativity, and contributions to literature.
