First Edition of The Humas Literary Conclave (THLC) held in Drass
13/07/2026
Drass, July 12 (KIP)-The first edition of The Humas Literary Conclave (THLC) was held in Drass by the District Administration of Drass in collaboration with Shina Writers Association Ladakh (SWAL) today. A book exhibition was also held on the occasion. The event was supported by J&K Bank and Power Grid Corporation of India.
The day-long event was attended by Deputy Commissioner Imteeaz Kacho; Commanding Officer, 16 Grenadiers, Colonel Vikas Dixit; LADHC Councillor Abdul Wahid; Principal, Government Degree College, Drass, Nasir Shabani; Naib Tehsildar Fida Hassnain Mir; Government officials, retired Government Officers Dr. Salim Ahmad, Barkat Nizami, Ghulam Mohammad, Nissar Mir, Adbul Majeed Sehra; former LAHDC Councillor, Syed Mohammad Shah. It was also attended by office bearers of SWAL President Abdur Rehman Misbahi, Mohammad Shafi Sagar, Ahmad Jawan, Raza Amjad Badgami. Dr. Mukhtar Zahid, Shabbir Misbahi, Ihsan Ali Bismil, Haji Mohammad Ilyas and others apart from students of Government Degree College and Higher Secondary School, Drass; as well as Ghulam Nabi Zia , Amin Polo, Mohammad Yaseen Sabri; Zakir Hussain, Fida Ali Karkiti , Mushtaq Chirag; Haji Niyaz Holiyal , Ghulam Mohammad Aafi and Faqir Khan.
In the first session, talks were held and papers presented on a variety of topics like Shina Language: Past, Present and Future by Abdur Rehman Misbahi; Religious Poetry in Shina Language by Dr. Mukhtar Zahid; History of Drass by Raza Amjad Badgami; Revisiting Shina Tribe towards Viksit Bharat by Suhail Rasool Mir; Monuments of Drass by Mohammad Shafi Sagar as well as Purgi and Balti Languages Past, Present and Future by Talib Hussain.
During the Second Session, panel discussions were held with literary figures and senior citizens on various crucial topics like Ancient Marriage System and Folk Songs of the Shinas; Shina Poetry, Ancient and Modern; Ancient Work Culture as well as History of Purgi and Balti Settlements in Drass. Finally, the documentary ‘Diro Shudar (Children of LOC),’ produced by the young film-maker Zaheer Abbas Dardistani, was screened. It is a touching human tale of struggles of residents of border areas. At the end of the screening, Dardistani spoke about his aspirations and struggles as well as the need to revive ancient culture and preserve the rich Shina heritage. He highlighted the need for people to do their bit to work towards preservation of culture through all possible mediums.
In his welcome speech, the Deputy Commissioner informed that THLC is being organized in the run-up to Kargil Vijay Diwas. While urging the younger generation to imbibe reading and writing habits, he said that sincere attempts will have to be made otherwise a rich cultural heritage will end up crumbling in no time. While expressing delight that the first edition of THLC was a huge success, he expressed confidence about organizing the conclave as a regular event annually and hoped that it will continue to become larger in scale each passing year. Further, he appreciated the role and contribution of Mohammad Shafi Sagar in particular and the entire team of SWAL for assisting the Drass District Administration in organizing the event effectively against all odds.
In consonance with the commitment towards ‘Clean Humas, Green Humas,’ plant saplings were gifted to speakers along with khataqs and books of various Shina authors.