Srinagar: Renowned writer, and ex-HOD Kashmiri at the Kashmiri University, Dr Ghulam Mohammad, popularly known as 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 Ramban district, Dr Marghoob had authored more than 50 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 also headed the varsity’s Kashmiri department even as he served in various other departments in different capacities as well.
After his retirement, Dr Marghoob dedicated his life to literature and research work that earned him laurels both at the national as well as international level.
Different literary organizations in Kashmir as well as his native town Banihal have paid tributes to the deceased author and prayed for the highest place in Jannah while also expressing condolences to the bereaved family.
University of Kashmir on Tuesday condoled the demise of Prof Marghoob Banihali.
Recalling the 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 as per a statement issued here 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.
Various political personalities of Kashmir also paid tributes to Prof Banihali.
National Conference (NC) president and Member Parliament from Srinagar Dr Farooq Abdullah and vice-president Omar Abdullah expressed profound grief over the demise of the noted academician, poet, writer and Sahitya Academy awardee.
In his condolence message, Dr Abdullah said 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 in a statement issued here.
“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 solidarity with the bereaved family and pray for much needed strength to them to bear the irreparable loss,” Omar Abdullah said in his condolence message.
Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference chairman Sajad Gani Lone praised Dr. Margoob Banihali’s immense contributions in the field of literature, terming his demise a major loss for the society in general and for the world of literature in particular.
Lone said that his absence will be deeply felt in times to come and void he has left among in the literary landscape of Jammu and Kashmir will be extremely difficult to fill-in.
Lone also prayed for Dr Margoob’s bereaved family and other near and dear ones for Allah’s strength to bear this great loss.
“Dr Margoob will be deeply missed. It is difficult to believe that he is no more on earth. But our religion tells us that he is now in a better place with the eternal reward he richly deserves. May Allah grant him highest place in Jannah and patience to the bereaved family,” Lone said in his condolence message.
The Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president Ghulam Ahmad Mir in his condolence message described the passing away of 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.
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 treasure 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.
