FROM THE EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

Hindi characterized by both simplicity and force—essential features of a good style. The then-President of India, Dr Zakir Hussain had translated Plato’s Republic into Urdu. She translated it into Hindi. Dr Zakir Hussain’s daughter had penned her father’s biography. This was also rendered from Urdu into Hindi by Prof. Majida Asad. She then started teaching at Rani Lakshmi Bai College in 1966. Later she was appointed as an executive member of the Hindi Academy. She has authored 10 books, two of which have been published by the Publications Division. One book is on Festivals of the Indian Muslims (Bhartiya Muslim Teuhaar aur Riti Riwaj) and the other is on Dr Zakir Hussain. These books are very popular, and are available in the US as well. To tackle any situation of disagreement and confrontation, she advises one to speak in a soft tone, present one’s arguments with complete conviction. It is truthfulness in your personality that would subjugate your opponent is what she believes in. In spite of the complete incompatibility of the environment she found herself in, she managed to overcome seemingly immovable obstacles to her journey towards academic excellence. She has been widely recognized for her academic output on both national and international fronts, by State as well as National governments of India. She has participated in many feature programmes on All India Radio, Doordarshan and other channels. She has contributed more than 300 articles, stories, memoirs, travelogues, etc. to leading Hindi newspapers and magazines She has been appointed as secretary and member of various academic institutions such as Delhi Hindi Sansthan and Delhi Hindi Academy. She was a member of the Delhi Advisory Committee of the Delhi Administration. She was also a member of the Advisory Committee of the Ministry of External Affairs. She is mentioned in the book Jawahar-eBijnor (Gems of Bijnor), select biography of notable people from Bijnor. She now lives in the United States. She has a house in New Delhi. Once in a year or two, she visits New Delhi. She has not forgotten her long and arduous journey. She knows the importance of the support that members of society can offer to the needy and the underprivileged people. She welcomes her guests and visitors with open arms. As a host, she appears like a family to her visitors. o Prof. Farida Khanam thecentreforpeace@gmail.com