Shaista Bibi
PhD Student
Centre for Research on Computer Supported Learning and Cognition (CoCo)
The University of Sydney, Australia
Adhe Adhoore Khawab, a novel by Dr. Shahid Siddiqui is not merely a book of fiction for me. The fiction skilfully intertwined with the real issues of society. If we see around us, we may find characters resembling Prof. Saharan Roy and Imtisal Agha, the two main character of the novel. The writer has beautifully portrayed the character of Prof. Saharan Roy with multiple layers of roles. He is apparently a teacher but not just a teacher. He is a guide, a friend, a revolutionary and a problem solver for the humanity. He is adored by his friends, his colleagues, his students and by any one who has the feeling of compassion and kindness for the helpless people. He was considered by the ruling establishment as a threat that must come to an end. He was arrested and tortured until breathed his last in the jail. But even his death could not stop his message which in the form of his dreams are shared and owned by his students.
Prof Roy is a guide, a friend, a revolutionary and a problem solver for the humanity.
I read this novel almost two years ago in when I used to teach in a university in Pakistan. Now that I wanted to write these few lines, sitting in my apartment room in Australia, I thought I might have forgotten everything. But when I started writing about it, everything became so clear in my mind as if I had read it only yesterday. I could see Prof Roy teaching in his class, discussing with his students, having his mock birthday in the hostel, participating in rallies, having intellectual debates with Imtisal, and experiencing torture in the jail. I could see Imtisal Agha meeting Prof Roy for the first time in the TV lounge, having long discussions with him, buying books with him, meeting with Prof Roy for the last time in jail, hearing the news of her mentor, and finally making a bold decision of becoming a teacher in her village. This shows the deep impact of the novel on my mind. I’ll always cherish the experience of reading this novel.
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