World Poetry Day will be observed across the world today (Monday) to celebrate the achievements of poets and motivate them to produce quality literature.
To mark the day, different literary organisations will arrange variety of events including contests, readings and festivals. Renowned literary figures from twin cities talking to Daily Times said that poetry worked as an indicator to bring reforms in political, social and cultural spheres of life.
Poetry not only shapes individual identities but also serves the public and evoke their feelings against injustices and inhuman activities, they observed.
The core objective of celebration of this day is to promote the reading, writing, publishing and teaching of poetry throughout the world and as the UNESCO session declaring the day says, to give fresh recognition and impetus to national, regional and international poetry movements. UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) declared the day in 1999.
World Poetry Day also provides an opportunity for children, in particular, to be introduced to poetry at home and in schools. Classrooms all over the world will be busy with lessons that seek to equip students with the necessary tools to identify the various types of poetry, examine the works of poets and engage in writing their own poetry.
Exhibitions and poetry evenings showcased the work of poets on or around March 21 to mark the day. UNESCO promoted the efforts of small publishers to publish poetry. The day was first observed in 2000.
Marking the day Daily Times asked many drivers of capital that why they use poetry as a tool of their expression, many of them opined every verse is a reflection of their gut feelings. "This is in a very real sense of public conversation which is not in books, which is not in the type of middle class milieus- it is engraved at the bumper of our vehicles," they said.
A taxi driver in Sector F-8 parking when asked why he has inscribed this verse 'Kis Qadar Khush Nazar Atay Hein Meray Shahar Kay Log- Aaj Akhbar Kisi Nay Na Parha Ho Jaisay." People of my city look happier today, it seems as if they had not read today's newspaper.