ALIGARH, Dec 22- Eulogizing shared socio-economic-political and cultural ideals in India and Iran, Professor Mohd. Tahir Ali, former Head, Department of Arabic, Persian and Islamic Studies, Vishwabharti Shanti Niketan (West Bengal) pointed out that the first newspaper, ‘Mirat-ul-Akhbar,’ published in Calcutta (Kolkatta), India in 1822, edited by great social reformer Raja Ram Mohan Roy was in Persian. Prof Ali in his presidential remarks also stated that ‘Mirat-ul-Akhbar’ was the first ever Persian language newspaper.

He was addressing a one-day National Seminar, brimful of scholars, students and delegates on “Cultural Development and Development of Culture between Iran and India” organized today by the Institute of Persian Research, Aligarh Muslim University.

Stating that the Iranian calligraphers have played an important role during the Mughal period, Prof Ali urged the scholars of India and Iran to work for the benefit of the humanity.

Inaugurating the seminar, Dr. Gholam Raza Mahdavi, Vice Chancellor, Al-Mustafa University, Iran said that Iran and India are among the countries, relying on shared civilization and long history. He said that they also possessed common geopolitical capabilities, material and spiritual resources and an effective culture. He said that qualitative and quantitative populations have entered realms of power, development and evolution in social, political and cultural structures.

Professor Azarmi Dukht Safavi, Director, Persian Research Institute said that Indian films are promoting and exporting Indian culture to Iran. She said that both the countries were closely associated over the ages.

Speaking on Indo-Iran relationship, she quoted Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, “The Indians and Iranians are like two brothers who got separated from each other, one going East and the other to the West. They have forgotten each other – the only thing they remember are the few old tunes they used to play on their flutes. Today, we wish to remember those tunes”.

Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Shahid Mehdi, former Vice Chancellor, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi said that India is a very generous host and always welcomes scholars and intellectuals of other countries. He said that the first manual of Tasawwuf was written in India. Iran’s architecture and paintings enrich the Indian culture.

Dr. Mehdi said that Tagore family had a great link with Iran and Dr. Ravindra Nath Tagore also visited Iran in 1932.

Prof. Iqtidar Husain Siddiqui, a noted historian, also highlighted the role of cultural development between the two countries.

On this occasion, an Urdu Autobiography “Aab-e-Rud-e-Ganga” of Prof. Suraiyya Husain, former Chairperson, Department of Urdu was released by Dr. Gholam Raza Mahdavi.