KARACHI: Sindhi language is one of the oldest languages of the world. Sindhi culture and civilization has a glorious history and long existence. Sindhi language and culture are flourishing not only in Sindh but in other countries.
This was stated by Chief Minister of Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah while addressing the participants of the International Shah Latif Literary Conference, at a reception given by him at CM House here Wednesday evening.
The Chief Minister said that after division of the sub-continent many people from Sindh migrated to India but they are very much linked to each other and to Sindh because of Sindhi as their mother tongue.
He said that language is not known by a colour or creed but its taste keeps binding the people speaking the same language.
Syed Qaim Ali Shah said that Sindh is the land of saints, sufis, intellectuals and literary people. Hazrat Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai and Hazrat Sachal Sarmast preached for brotherhood, solidarity and tolerance.
He recited Shah Latif's poetry through which Latif has prayed for peace and prosperity in rest of the earth along with land of Sindh.
Latif has also preached for language, culture and civilization. In the pertaining atmosphere, it has become necessary to spread Shah's poetry in the nook and corner of the earth.
He expressed pleasure to learn about flourishing of Sindh language in India. He was very happy to know that besides a large number of books and other literature published in Sindhi in India, six editions of Shah-Jo-Risalo had come up there.
He also noted that Sindh poets, writers and artistes in India and Pakistan have been participating in literary conferences, mushairoon and cultural programs in each other's country.
He said that it is very encouraging that a large number of people literary persons from within and outside the country attend Urs (the annual functions) of Hazrat Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai and Hazrat Sachal Sarmast.
He hoped that Sindhi speaking people living in India and other countries would focus on proper education of Sindhi language to their children besides speaking to them in Sindhi.
It is responsibility of the present generation to shift Sindhi language to their off-springs and that poets, literary persons, artists and teachers would have to play this important and historical role.
Sindh Minister for Culture Ms. Sassui Paleji thanked the Chief Minister for extending all-out support for successfully organising the International Shah Latif Conference and hosting a reception for the participants.
She said that Pakistan People's Party has always contributed in promotion of Sindhi language and Shah Latif's message. The present Government first hosted Sindhi literary conference on national level then the same on international level.
She said the division of this sub-continent created borders but could not weaken the bonds of Sindhi culture, civilization and language.
She said the PPP Government has increased the grant of Sindhi Language Authority. Rs 2.5 million were also given to Sindh Graduate Association and that Sindh Culture Department will also provide funds to Sindhi Adabi Sangat.
Sindh Secretary Culture Abdul Aziz Uqaili , presenting the performance report of his Ministry, said since 2008, 74 books have been published which included 20 books on Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai. Shah-Jo-Risalo has been published in Urdu, Persian and English while it would be published in French and Arabic. 'Gang Sharif' was being published again.
Hero Thakur, a literary person from India, informed that Indian National Council of Sindhi Language has planned to hold such an international conference on Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai soon.
He also informed that Shah-Jo-Risalo has been published in 'Dionagri' script to facilitate the new generation living there to understand the poetry of this great poet.
The CM, on this occasion, he distributed Latif awards to distinguished persons for their services to Sindhi language and culture.
Comments
Comments are closed for this article.