After retirement, Prof. Sarwat Khan has dedicated herself to the promotion of Urdu as an Indian language through her 18 published books. As president of several organisations, she continues promoting linguistic harmony, contributing to the preservation of India's rich literary and cultural heritage, and nurturing generations of learners.

Prof. Sarwat Khan was in Government Service as a Professor at Meera Girls College, Udaipur, until her retirement in 2020.

Post her retirement, she continues to devote herself to the promotion of Urdu Literature as a Freelance Writer, authoring stories, novels, and literary critiques. To date, she has published 17–18 books, most of which have been published by the National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language (NCPUL), a publishing body under the Government of India, the Aalib Institute, a renowned literary institute in Delhi, and the Educational Book House, Aligarh.

Continuing further, Urdu Writer Prof. Sarwat Khan shares that she has also worked extensively on Meera Bai in Urdu. As part of this work, she also conducted a seminar, which was the first seminar on Meera Bai in the history of Urdu literature. She also authored a book on the subject, which is being taught in the M.A. Final Year curriculum at Aligarh Muslim University for many years. In the book, she compares the Sufi essence of Meera Bai's sayings with Urdu, Arabic, and Persian poetry, highlighting their similarities. At the same time, she relates the concept of Sufism discussed in the Quran and the Hadees, drawing parallels with Meera Bai's philosophy. Unlike the conventional way Hindi writers have portrayed Meera Bai, Prof. Sarwat Khan presents a completely different perspective, portraying Meera Bai as a Sufi poet, beautifully expressing her divine love and devotion towards Lord Krishna.

Highlighting the essence of Sufism in the Quran and the Hadees, Prof. Sarwat Khan shares that Sufism is described as Ishq-e-Haqiqi, the absolute and divine love for the Creator. In her work, she compares the meaning of Ishq-e-Haqiqi with her Sufi interpretation of Meera Bai's writings, drawing parallels between the spiritual philosophy expressed in the Quran and the Hadees and Meera Bai's unwavering devotion and divine love.

Explaining more about her literary works, Prof. Khan shares that one of her novels, Kadve Karele, is a contemporary Urdu social and psychological novel, and says that one must read the book to truly understand why it has been titled Kadve Karele. She also authored the socio-cultural Urdu novel Andhera Pag, which emerged as a masterpiece upon its first release, for which she was invited to the Jaipur Literature Festival. Adding further, Prof. Sarwat Khan shares that both these books brought her immense fame and recognition. Along with these, she has also published a collection of Urdu short stories titled Zarro Ki Hararat.

Renowned Writer & Researcher Prof. Sarwat Khan shares that she started writing in the year 2001, because of which she is regarded as a writer of the 21st century. Although she began writing quite late in her life, her second book was released in the year 2006 soon after her first book, which brought her immense fame and established her among the prominent writers of Urdu Adab. She attributes this recognition to the fact that her stories and novels vividly reflect the essence of Rajasthan—its culture, etiquette, language, traditional attire, and cuisine. She shares that, before this, Rajasthan had rarely found representation in Urdu literature. Instead, regions such as Uttar Pradesh, Kashmir, Awadh, Lucknow, the Deccan, and northern regions like Delhi and Punjab were more prominently represented in Urdu literary works.

Therefore, writing about Rajasthan in Urdu Literature was considered a significant contribution through her pen, bringing a fresh perspective to Urdu Adab. Prof. Sarwat Khan shares that this distinctive representation of Rajasthan felt like a fresh breeze in the literary world and was widely appreciated by readers and literary scholars alike.

Speaking about her distinctive writing style, Prof. Khan shares that she wrote stories and dialogues by blending Rajasthani dialects such as Mewadi, Marwadi, and others with Arabic and Persian words. This gave birth to a new flavour and created a unique attraction for readers, who perceived it as a distinctive literary expression. Through her language, style of expression, and choice of subjects and themes, Prof. Khan was able to establish a unique identity for herself, and encouraged by that, she continued writing and publishing books.

Adding another milestone to her literary contributions, Prof. Khan happily shares about writing another book on Meera Bai, which was published by NCPUL (National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language). The book was written for children's literature as part of a workshop that brought together several writers, where each of them wrote about Meera Bai. The collection was later published as a book by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD).

Continuing her contribution to the literary world, Prof. Khan shares that she is also serving as the President of four major literary organisations, actively promoting Adabi Sargarmiyan (Literary Activities). She considers this position to be both an honour and a great responsibility. She further adds that people often assume she works in a world where others manage everything for her. However, from offering a glass of water to drafting proposals, she handles every responsibility herself.

Reflecting on her literary and educational contributions, Prof. Khan shares that since 1992, when she began her professional career, she has continuously organised seminars, literary festivals, conferences, and workshops every two to three months in Udaipur. She also teaches Urdu free of cost once every year, conducting classes for one-and-a-half, two, or even three months, until her students become proficient in reading, writing, understanding, and appreciating the language and its etiquette. She believes that learning has no fixed time limit and continues teaching until her students themselves feel confident. Through this dedication, she has built strong bonds of respect, politeness, and affection with her students, with the Urdu language serving as the connecting thread.

Speaking about the growing interest in the Urdu language, Prof. Sarwat Khan shares that although today's generation is able to understand its origin and significance through Google and other technology portals, the common perception that Urdu is only a Muslim language is completely false. She further adds that nearly 95% of the students who come to learn Urdu from her are non-Muslims. According to her, they do not come because of religion, but because of their love for the language. They are driven by curiosity, a desire to learn, and an appreciation for the beauty of Urdu.

Sharing the experiences of her students, Prof. Sarwat Khan says that when she asks them why they want to learn Urdu, they often reply that they feel that Urdu is a beautiful language. They hear Urdu in ghazals, songs, films, stories, and film scripts, but are not always able to understand it completely. This inspires them to learn how to read and write Urdu, as they consider it to be a sweet and graceful language.

Prof. Khan further shares that her students include doctors, engineers, professors, vice-chancellors, principals, and homemakers. She teaches Urdu to learners aged 18 years and above, beginning from the very basics. She considers this to be her humble contribution towards promoting one of India's beautiful languages by sharing it with as many people as possible. Her intention is to spread love through the language to future generations, as she believes that while learning Urdu, one also learns its etiquette, respect, and culture of affection. With this vision as her foundation, she continues to teach Urdu every year to language enthusiasts and is soon going to begin this initiative at Vidya Bhawan, Udaipur.

She is also the mastermind behind organising the Literature Festival in Udaipur for the first time in 2015, in collaboration with an organisation. Prof. Sarwat Khan shares that, before that, there was no provision in the government for an international poetic symposium or even an international seminar. Only the designated association of the Central Government had the provision, with a budget of ₹4–5 lakhs, to organise such festivals.

Prof. Khan shares that when she sent a proposal of ₹40 lakhs, similar to the Jaipur Literature Festival, to the Central Government, it was highly appreciated. She further shares that, within the ₹40 lakh budget, 43 topics were planned, with 6–7 experts from around the world allocated to each topic. Though the proposal was appreciated by the Government, it lacked the required funding to support the initiative. However, slowly, with everyone's involvement, literature festivals started being organised in the City of Lakes, Udaipur.

Prof. Khan shares that, in collaboration with Sukhadia University, she started another initiative , namely 'Anjuman Taraqqi-e-Urdu, Udaipur', where she serves as the President of the Udaipur branch. She also serves as the Secretary of 'Anjuman Taraqqi-e-Urdu, Rajasthan'.

Continuing her literary and social contributions, Prof. Khan also serves as the President of 'Samta Samvad Manch', an organisation dedicated to promoting the idea of equality through literature. She shares that the organisation works with the vision of creating a society based on justice, social harmony, and economic equality. Through its literary initiatives and public dialogues, Samta Samvad Manch strives to spread the message that every individual deserves equal opportunities and respect, encouraging a narrative that takes everyone forward together with the spirit of equality.

Sharing a glimpse of her life, Prof. Sarwat Khan shares that she was entrusted with the responsibility of 'Pragatisheel Lekhak Sangh'. Despite being an Urdu writer and poet, she was appointed to the position. Recalling the moment, Prof. Khan shares that when she enquired about the reason behind being given the responsibility, the committee members told her, "The reason is that, till now, every programme we have listened to, witnessed, and seen under your leadership has been multilingual. You have never organised only an Urdu programme. Even the poetry recitals conducted by you feature 6–7 languages. That is the strongest reason for entrusting you with the responsibility of Pragatisheel Lekhak Sangh." Prof. Sarwat says that this recognition reaffirmed her belief that literature has the power to unite people beyond the boundaries of language, making inclusivity the foundation of her literary work.

Prof. Khan shares that the love, trust, and expectations people have placed in her motivate her to keep working tirelessly. She says that this encouragement brings her immense happiness and inspires her to organise various literary programmes and initiatives while continuing her own writing. Due to her demanding schedule, Prof. Khan shares that she often sleeps for only 3–4 hours a day, dedicating the rest of her time to contributing to the literary world.

President of Anjuman Taraqqi-e-Urdu (Hind), Udaipur, Prof. Sarwat Khan shares that Anjuman Taraqqi-e-Urdu is a 175-year-old organisation and is counted among the oldest literary organisations in the country. She says that it was established by the founder of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Aligarh, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan. Recalling its legacy, Prof. Sarwat Khan shares that, after Independence, the organisation continued to fulfil its objectives and vision with the support of several national leaders, including then Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, President of India Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed (1974–1977), Inder Kumar Gujral, and many others. According to her, they promoted the Urdu language with the spirit of love, harmony, and mutual respect, while systematically strengthening the organisation and establishing its headquarters in Delhi.

Continuing the narrative, Prof. Khan further shares that today Anjuman Taraqqi-e-Urdu has branches across India. Every state has its own Secretary, who is entrusted with the responsibility of expanding the organisation by establishing branches throughout the state in accordance with its objectives and local requirements. She explains that the organisation is guided by three primary objectives. The first is to promote Urdu as an Indian language that is deeply loved and deserves to reach greater heights. The second is to strengthen the spirit of national unity by encouraging the belief that all Indians are brothers and sisters, and that everyone should move forward together with love, harmony, and mutual respect. The third objective is to promote the education of the girl child.

Working with these objectives as her guiding principles, Prof. Sarwat Khan has dedicated herself to expanding the organisation across Rajasthan by establishing its branches in cities throughout the state. She adds that each branch carries forward the organisation's vision, with every member fulfilling their responsibilities to promote literature, education, and social harmony.

Under these objectives, the branches actively work towards organising literary programmes, including literary programmes for girls, to encourage education, creativity, and participation in literature. Further sharing her work, Prof. Sarwat Khan says that she is also associated with another organisation, 'Virtuous Valiant Club' , where she serves as the Patron. She shares that the organisation primarily works for women, especially those who are educated but are unable to step out of their homes due to societal pressure, are not permitted to work, and are never provided with a platform to showcase their talents. Despite being skilled and capable, many such women are unable to move forward in life because of numerous restrictions.

The organisation strives to bring such women together, helping them overcome these difficult circumstances and connecting them with the mainstream of growth and development. Recalling some of the initiatives undertaken by the organisation, she says that they have organised Haath Bazaars to provide women with opportunities to showcase and sell their work, invited doctors to examine and address women's health concerns in their localities, and conducted symposiums and seminars on various social issues. The organisation also celebrates special occasions such as Mother's Day, Independence Day, and Republic Day, where women are encouraged to express their thoughts, share their experiences, and build the confidence to become active participants in society. Through these continuous efforts, Prof. Khan says that the aim is to empower women by giving them opportunities, recognition, and a path towards becoming an integral part of the mainstream.

Another initiative undertaken by Prof. Sarwat Khan involved working in the countryside regions of India by associating with AIPWA for some time. Recalling this phase of her work, she shares that the initiative focused on serving people from some of the most backward sections of society. Rather than simply visiting these communities, she and her team lived among them, listened to their concerns, understood their day-to-day challenges, and made sincere efforts to find practical solutions to their problems.

Prof. Khan and her team regularly presented these issues before the concerned authorities, including the District Collector and the Superintendent of Police (SP), and worked with them to resolve the grievances. According to Prof. Khan, this process of understanding people's problems, representing their concerns before the administration, and continuously striving for solutions remains an important part of her social work even today.

Continuing to speak about Samta Samvad Manch, Prof. Sarwat Khan shares that whenever the organisation conducts literary seminars, the discussions are centred on issues that contribute to the welfare of society. She says that the platform does not hesitate to address matters related to injustice or important contemporary issues affecting the country, even when people are reluctant to speak about them publicly.

Prof. Khan shares that, through the initiatives of Samta Samvad Manch, such subjects are discussed fearlessly while remaining within the framework of the Constitution. She explains that the organisation raises its voice on issues of public concern by bringing together intellectuals, scholars, writers, and skilled individuals, creating a space where meaningful discussions and constructive dialogue can take place. Concluding this part of her story, Prof. Khan says, "All of these initiatives are carried forward together, and we continue working towards them with the same dedication and commitment."

Continuing the conversation, Urdu writer and activist Prof. Sarwat Khan shares that the spirit reflected in her social work is also deeply embedded in her writings, books, and novels. She says that readers can witness the same fire in her stories. According to Prof. Khan, this fire is not one that burns or destroys; rather, it represents strength, courage, hope, and light. She believes that this light still exists in the hearts of many broken, oppressed, and marginalised sections of society, but remains covered and suppressed, never being allowed to shine.

Through her stories, she strives to remove that cover and let the light emerge, so that it can illuminate not only the lives of those individuals but also society as a whole. She believes that encouraging people to step forward, recognise their own strength, and raise their voices with confidence is the true power of literature. According to her, this thought, this purpose, and this unwavering belief form the essence of her stories and define the speciality of her writing.

Adding further, Prof. Khan shares that if the central character of her story is a woman, she is never portrayed as someone who merely speaks about her pain or weaknesses. She says that her female characters do not cry over their suffering or worsening circumstances. Instead, they face every challenge with courage, fight against all odds, and work towards finding solutions to their problems. Recalling the essence of her writing, Prof. Khan explains that when such women are suppressed or confined and prevented from finding a way forward, they break those barriers and create their own path. They move ahead with wisdom, determination, and resilience, without shedding a single tear.

Through these characters, Prof. Khan conveys a powerful message: "Never cry. Instead, become so strong that those who try to suppress you are compelled to reflect on their own actions." She says that this spirit of courage, self-belief, and perseverance is the defining characteristic of the women portrayed in her stories.

Talking about the structural faults in our society, Prof. Sarwat Khan laments that the ancient Varn Vyavastha still exists in our society. She supports equality and upliftment of the downtrodden. She believes Insaniyat is the biggest Dharma for human beings. She also feels concerned about the youth who are restless. She raises all this in her writings.

Born on 23 January 1960 in the Jhalawar district of Rajasthan, Prof. Sarwat Khan spent her early years in Tonk, where she completed her elementary education. Recalling her childhood, she shares that she belonged to a family of Nawabs, and during those times, Tonk was a princely state of Rajasthan. She completed her primary schooling at an Urdu-medium school in Tonk, which was affiliated with Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Aligarh. Prof. Khan fondly recalls that the school was run by her grandaunt, who was also a Begum, and that it was a family tradition for all the girls in her family to receive their education there.

Prof. Sarwat shares that her father had initially named her Sarwat-un-Nisa. Describing its meaning, she says that Sarwat means Lakshmi, while Nisa means woman. She further explains that the name signifies a woman who is a leader and is blessed with Lakshmi. However, she writes with the pen-name Sarwat Khan.

Continuing to share memories from her early life, Prof. Sarwat Khan recalls that when she was studying in the 6th standard, she was required to attend school wearing a burkha. She says that, although girls were encouraged to receive an education, they were also expected to keep their faces covered with a veil. Looking back, she describes it as a reflection of the social customs of that time.

As life moved forward, another important chapter unfolded. When she reached the 11th standard, she got married. She recalls that, in Tonk, whenever a girl became eligible for marriage, proposals would begin to arrive, and she, too, got married while she was still pursuing her studies. Being a science student, Prof. Sarwat had aspired to appear for the Pre-Medical Test (PMT) and pursue medicine as her profession.

She shares that when her parents spoke to her about the marriage proposal, she agreed with one condition—that she would be allowed to continue her education after marriage. Although she could not pursue the science stream and her dream of studying medicine, she continued her studies by opting for the Arts stream.

Recalling those years with gratitude, Prof. Khan shares that her in-laws and her husband supported her wholeheartedly. She says that, considering the social norms of that time, they were far more progressive in their outlook. They gave her the time, freedom, and encouragement to continue her education without imposing unnecessary restrictions. She fondly adds that she always received love and support from her new family, making her feel as though she had simply moved from one loving home to another.

Her life after marriage brought a noticeable change. She recalls that, in her parental home, she was expected to wear a burkha, but her in-laws' home had a very different environment. After her marriage in 1977, she was encouraged to live in a more modern way, both in her dressing and in the way she conducted herself.

She remembers her lifestyle often surprised people, and many would question it by saying that "Muslims do not live like that in Udaipur." Reflecting on those remarks, she says that her family believed that what truly mattered was having good values, manners, and a strong upbringing. According to Prof. Khan, it was these principles, rather than outward appearances, that guided her throughout her life and gave her the confidence to keep moving forward.

Determined to continue her education despite her growing family responsibilities, Prof. Sarwat Khan never allowed life's milestones to become obstacles in her academic path. While pursuing her M.A., she gave birth to a daughter during her second year and to a son during her third year. Despite balancing motherhood and academics, she completed her degree with remarkable success, securing a Gold Medal by topping her university. She recalls that her achievement surprised many, as it was uncommon for a private college student to earn such recognition.

Her pursuit of knowledge did not stop there. She continued to excel academically by securing the top position in her M.Phil., followed by the successful completion of her Ph.D. Reflecting on the next chapter of her life, she shares that in 1993, she entered the field of higher education under the Government of Rajasthan and was appointed at Meera Girls College, Udaipur, marking the beginning of her long and distinguished academic career.

Reflecting on the beginnings of her literary career, Urdu Writer and Poet Prof. Sarwat Khan shares that her entry into Urdu writing began much later than her academic career. She recalls that when she opted for the Arts stream to continue her education, Urdu was one of the additional subjects she chose to study. Having completed her schooling in an Urdu-medium school, she considered the language an important subject that could also be useful for employment.

A turning point came in 1999, when she went to Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Aligarh, to attend a refresher course in writing. During the programme, she got the opportunity to read a wide range of Urdu fiction, an experience that awakened the writer within her. Inspired by what she had read, she put her thoughts into words and penned her very first short story in Aligarh. Recalling that memorable moment, Prof. Khan shares that her story was discussed among the professors at AMU, who appreciated her writing and encouraged her to continue. She says that their valuable feedback, guidance, and encouragement gave her a new direction and the confidence to pursue creative writing. From that moment onwards, Prof. Khan never looked back, and writing became an inseparable part of her life.

Continuing on this new literary path, within a short span of four to five years, she published numerous articles and write-ups. She recalls that her literary work gradually expanded, beginning with the publication of an anthology, followed by a novel the very next year, and later several other books. With each publication, Prof. Khan explored new dimensions of literature, steadily carving her own identity and creating a distinct path in the world of Urdu writing.

Prof. Sarwat Khan shares that her visit to Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) in 1999 became much more than just a refresher course. She says that many of the resource persons who had come to teach literature during the programme later became her friends when she revisited AMU in 2005. As she gradually entered the world of writing, literature became a bridge that connected her with renowned scholars, writers, and academicians.

Reflecting on her life's path, Prof. Sarwat Khan feels that she never considers herself to have faced major downfalls; instead, she believes that every phase of her life has led her towards new heights. She says that the only moments when she felt low were those filled with self-doubt, when she questioned whether she would be able to accomplish a particular task or responsibility. During such times, her husband and her in-laws always stood firmly by her side. She says that they would pull her out of those moments of uncertainty, encourage her to do what was right, and inspire her to complete every challenge with confidence and positivity. Their unwavering support, she shares, gave her the strength to move forward, and with every challenge she overcame, she continued to progress in life.

Reflecting on the support she received after marriage, Prof. Sarwat Khan shares that nearly 50 years ago, when it was uncommon for daughters-in-law to be given opportunities to study, work, or pursue their aspirations, she was fortunate to have a family that stood firmly beside her. She recalls that whenever criticism or negative remarks arose from society, her in-laws, sisters-in-law, and husband became a shield around her. They faced those comments themselves and never allowed them to discourage or affect her.

Building upon these experiences, Prof. Sarwat Khan shares that the love, care, and unwavering support she received from her mother-in-law inspired her to write a heartfelt piece dedicated to her. She says that the poem, titled "Mohabbat Ka Shajar" (A Tree of Love), reflects her gratitude towards the elders of the family and reminds society to cherish them as the roots that hold every home together. She recites:

"मोहब्बत का शजर" (A Tree of Love)

बड़ी शफ़क़त, बड़ी मोहब्बत, बड़े यक़ीन से,

मोहब्बत के शजर ने अपने आँगन की बगिया को सौंप दिया था इन हाथों में।

क्यारी-क्यारी, डाली-डाली, फूल-पौधे, बेल-बूटे,

सींचे मैंने तन और मन से।

बगिया का एक गोशा,

बगिया का एक गोशा, शजर था वो मोहब्बत का।

न जाने क्यों मैं भूल गई, या जान-बूझकर भुला दिया, बिसरा दिया।

बगिया का हर फूल-फल बहार तो लाया, मगर ख़िज़ाँ का अंदेशा लाया ।

आरज़ी, फ़ौरी तौर पर एक ख़ला थी ज़िंदगी में,

एक कमी थी रफ़्तगी में।

चैन न था, सुकून न था, सुरूर न था।

सोचा, आख़िर किस चीज़ की कमी है बगिया में?

नज़र डाली, दिल ठहर गया।

समझ गई, मोहब्बत का गोशा कुम्हला गया था।

आख़िर जब इस शजर को शगुफ़्ता किया,

ज़िंदगी में बहार का एहसास हुआ।

वो ख़ला भर गई, वो सुकून मिल गया।

ज़िंदगी इतनी रहबर, इतनी पुरलुत्फ़, इतनी मुतमइन, इतनी ख़ुशगवार—

इसका इल्म हुआ है मोहब्बत के शजर को परवान चढ़ाकर।

कौन है ये शजर? कौन है ये शजर?

सोचा है किसी ने?

जिनके बिना हम अधूरे ख़ाके हैं, अधूरी बहार हैं।

ये शजर, ये मोहब्बत का शजर, हमारे बुज़ुर्ग ही तो हैं।

सदी के ख़ैरमक़दम पर,

क्या कोई इन अश्जार को परवान चढ़ाएगा?

शगुफ़्ता रखेगा???”

Explaining the story behind the poem, Prof. Khan shares that she wrote "Mohabbat Ka Shajar" for her mother-in-law when she was honoured as the Best Mother-in-Law in the district by the Inner Wheel Club of Udaipur. She recalls that, for the occasion, she was asked to write something about her mother-in-law, describing her nature, the way she had treated her, and the role she had played in her life. Drawing from her own experiences, Prof. Khan penned the poem as a heartfelt tribute to the love, guidance, and unwavering support she had received from her.

She shares that the poem deeply resonated with the audience and was appreciated by everyone present. Along with being honoured with the award, her mother-in-law received heartfelt admiration, while Prof. Khan's writing was widely praised for beautifully capturing the invaluable place of elders in a family and the enduring bond between a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law.

Talking about her role models and inspirations, Prof. Sarwat Khan says she considers her mother to be the greatest influence in her life. Reflecting on her mother's values, Prof. Khan shares that although she was raised in a haveli, belonging to a princely Nawab family with a feudal way of life, her mother always looked beyond social status and privilege.

She recalls that, in those days, numerous household staff worked in the haveli, and separate living quarters were arranged for them and their families. Her mother often narrated an incident from her own childhood. Although rich and delicious meals were prepared for the family in the palace, separate food was cooked for the housekeepers and caretakers using different ingredients, spices, and oil. Seeing this difference deeply troubled her mother from a very young age, and the feeling stayed with her as she grew up.

Unable to accept such discrimination, her mother would quietly share her own meals with the children of the housekeepers, making sure no one noticed.

Reflecting further on her parents' influence, Prof. Sarwat Khan shares that her mother, even at the age of 86, continues to quietly extend help and support to people from different sections of society. She says that her mother never publicises her acts of kindness, and even today, no one truly knows how many people she continues to support behind the scenes. According to Prof. Khan, her mother's selfless nature has remained unchanged over the years.

Social Worker Prof. Khan adds that she witnessed the same spirit of compassion and service in her father as well. She shares that her father worked as an Accounts Officer and was also associated with the Rajasthan State Branch of the Indian Red Cross Society, where he was entrusted with important responsibilities. Along with his official duties, he patiently listened to the problems of people who approached him and made sincere efforts to help them.

Reflecting on the values she inherited from her parents, Prof. Sarwat Khan shares that these experiences made her question why certain sections of society are deprived of basic opportunities and dignity. She recalls that, from a very young age, she often wondered why some people were treated differently, why they were pushed to the margins of society, and who was responsible for creating such discrimination. These questions, she says, stayed with her throughout her childhood and gradually shaped the way she looked at the world.

As she grew older and continued her education, she began searching for answers to these questions. She says that many of those answers were reflected in literature—in shayari, poems, short stories, novels, and books. Through literature, she found different perspectives on injustice, inequality, and the human condition, which helped her understand the social realities she had observed since childhood. She believes that it was this continuous search for answers that eventually inspired both her literary writing and her commitment to social causes. She considers her parents to be her greatest role models, as it was their compassion and sense of equality that first encouraged her to question injustice and dedicate herself to creating awareness through literature.

Speaking further, Prof. Sarwat Khan shares that, especially after the rise of the Progressive Writers' Association (PWA), she became more aware of the discrimination faced by certain sections of society at the hands of the upper classes. She says that the movement and its literature enabled her to understand these social realities more deeply and further strengthened her resolve to raise such issues through her own writing.

Summarising her literary philosophy and conveying a message to the younger generation, Prof. Khan recites the following shayari:

"इश्क़ की मिज़राब से, नग़्मा-ए-तार-ए-हयात,

इश्क़ से नूर-ए-हयात, इश्क़ से नार-ए-हयात."

Explaining the meaning of the shayari, Prof. Sarwat Khan shares that true love means loving someone deeply. She says that the Creator of the universe is our beloved, and we are His lovers. Therefore, if the Creator has created this world, it becomes our responsibility to love His creation. According to Prof. Khan, the finest of His creations are human beings, and loving humanity is the purest form of love.

Adding further, Prof. Sarwat Khan shares that if a person lights the lamp of love in their heart and continues to love selflessly throughout life, a beautiful melody is created within, giving birth to a song of life, filling it with light, radiance, hope, and the strength to shine like the sun.

Prof. Sarwat Khan believes that this force of love should always be preserved. She conveys that people should love one another, treat each other with compassion, and spread kindness without constantly thinking about what they will receive in return. According to her, the true purpose of a human being is simply to love, for it is through love that one reaches the highest values of humanity.

Adding another perspective to the conversation, Urdu Poet Prof. Sarwat Khan says that one important angle has not been included throughout the conversation. She shares that, as a woman, she has a deep bond with her home. She believes that a woman is the pillar of her home as well as of society, and therefore, it becomes her responsibility to uphold and strengthen both.

Prof. Khan laments that many people have created an image of her as someone who has never even entered her kitchen, assuming that she does not do any household work and must have housekeepers to manage everything. However, dismissing these assumptions, she says that it is nothing but a myth. She shares that every responsibility in her home has always been managed by her alone. Even while working a full-time job, she ensured that all the household work was completed by herself.

Prof. Khan shares that both her children are highly qualified and are working in prestigious positions. She proudly says that one would not find even an inch of dust in her home, as she maintains it with great care and cleanliness. She is also fond of gardening and personally takes care of her plants. She even grinds her own spices and wheat at home and recalls that, in earlier days, she would personally clean and pick wheat grains during the summer vacations.

According to Prof. Khan, these are responsibilities that every homemaker should willingly undertake. She believes that if one leaves the entire responsibility of the home to house help and others, true satisfaction and happiness can never be achieved. Instead, a person may begin questioning their own role and contribution within the family and society. On the other hand, when one carries out these responsibilities personally, it brings a deep sense of self-satisfaction and fulfilment.

She thinks that caring for one's family, children, parents, and home is more important than anything else. Performing every responsibility with happiness, dedication, and a positive attitude brings peace, blessings, and joy into the family. According to her, supporting the family, taking responsibility for the household, and nurturing it with love are the true foundations of a happy, ever-growing, and contented life.

Continuing her thoughts, Prof. Sarwat shares that even today, she personally brings everything required for her home. She says that although her grandchildren have now grown up, have children of their own, and are pursuing careers such as MBBS, she still manages all the household shopping herself. According to her, her first priority has always been her family, followed by society, her writing, her country, and ultimately, humanity.

Concluding with a message for the coming generations, Urdu Poet and Novelist Prof. Sarwat Khan says that as we are about to complete 30 years of the 21st century, with many more decades ahead, it is important for the youth of today and tomorrow to keep a deep sense of love and pride alive in their hearts for their mother tongue, their country, their culture, their language, and their culinary heritage. She believes that these are the foundations of a nation's identity.

According to Prof. Khan, If anyone wishes to erase the identity of a country, the first attack is not made with weapons but on its language, culture, traditions, and heritage. According to her, only after these foundations are weakened, weapons come into the picture. Through this message, she urges the younger generation to preserve and protect their cultural roots, as they are the true strength and identity of a nation.

Emphasising the importance of preserving one's identity, Prof. Sarwat Khan reemphasises that the first attack on a nation is not through weapons but through its cultural foundations. She says that people first attack its language by changing it, then its traditional clothing, and later its food and culinary heritage. According to her, this gradual change is already visible today, as many children have slowly begun to lose touch with their roots, traditions, and culture.

Sharing her thoughts on how this can be reversed, Prof. Khan says that the first step is to develop a deep love for one's country. She urges the younger generation to cherish the many languages spoken across India, respect the nation's diverse culture, and take pride in its rich traditions.

Highlighting the richness and diversity of Indian literature, Prof. Sarwat Khan shares that every Indian language carries its own unique beauty, cultural essence, and literary depth. She says that when one explores Rajasthani literature, it feels as though one is walking through Shilpgram—a culturally rich village filled with the fragrance of tradition, the melodies of chirping birds, and a deep connection with nature. According to her, reading Urdu feels like being immersed in sugar syrup, as the language is filled with sweetness, grace, and respect, qualities that naturally become a part of one's personality while reading and learning it.

Speaking about Hindi, Prof. Khan says that it is like diving into a vast ocean of literature, rich with timeless poems, stories, and knowledge. She adds that the same literary richness can be experienced in other Indian languages, including Marathi, Bengali, and many more, each contributing uniquely to India's vibrant cultural and literary heritage.

Expressing her concern over the changing approach to education, Prof. Sarwat Khan laments that there was a time when children were taught multiple Indian languages and learned them with sincerity and dedication. She says that today, however, many students struggle to gain proficiency even in one language, often without mastering its grammar properly.

Reflecting on this change, Prof. Khan believes that education in earlier times was pursued to expand one's knowledge, understanding, and wisdom. In contrast, she observes that nowadays, education is often pursued merely to obtain a degree, which again comes out to be of no use, leaving one with neither this world nor the other.

Concluding her thoughts, Prof. Sarwat Khan shares that whatever has happened, has happened, but there is still time to bring about a positive change. She encourages the youth of our nation to read as many books as possible and learn about the lives of their role models. She further shares that many people believe Western countries are more developed and have produced more inventors. However, she draws everyone's attention by saying that Asian countries have produced more inventors as compared to Western countries. She adds that India itself has given the world countless heroes and inspiring personalities. Therefore, one must cultivate the habit of reading books to expand their knowledge, love their nation, always stand by the people of their country, and spread a message of love and unity.