Reading a Poignant Memoir

The Ghat Of the Only World

Amitav Ghosh

The Ghat of the Only World is a tribute to Agha Shahid Ali a poet and intellectual from
Kashmir. He was close friend of Amitav Ghosh. Shahid was critically ill and he asked his dear
friend Amitav to write about him after he is no more. Amitav thought this to be very painful and
difficult task to do. He wrote a piece in the memory of his friend to keep his promise and for his
love, and appeal of his friend.

Let us Reflect and Write

 This piece of writing is a reminiscence of his friendship with Shahid.
 What traits of Shahid’s personality are focused in the write up for example;
 Poet, nostalgic about Kashmir, extrovert,etc

 Agha Shahid Ali migrated to New York but he carried India and the flavour of Kashmir
with him. Amitav said that The journey from the foyer of Shahid’s building to his door
was a voyage between continents. Locate examples from the text to support the
statement.

 Shahid’s gregariousness had no limits :Read the text and explain.

 Shahid was witty but not in a mean or hurting manner. Locate one particular incident at
airport to support the statement.

 Shahid taught in Manhattan’s Baruch College. He was loved, respected and very popular
teacher. Mention instances from the text.

 Now collect all the above points and write a sketch of Agha Shahid Ali.
Frame your own sentences. You can make use of the words only from the text.