Speakers push message of unity in diversity

Indus Cultural Forum in collaboration with Pakistan National Council of the Arts continued with the legacy of celebrating linguistic and cultural diversity by arranging 6th Pakistan Mother Languages Literature Festival on Sunday at Pakistan National Council of Arts (PNCA). Eleven prominent researchers, Dr Tariq Rahman, Ahmed Saleem (Punjabi), Dr Fahmida Husain (Sindhi), Hafeez Khan (Seraiki), Aftab Iqbal Shamim (Urdu), Sadullah Jaan Barq (Pushto), Sultan Sukoon (Hindko), Ishaq Soz (Brahui), Munir Badini (Balochi), Hussain Yousifabadi (Balti), Rana Fazal Hussain (Gojri) were awarded lifetime achievement awards. In a separate session speakers highlighted the need for state to take measures for promotion of linguistic diversity in Pakistan. Indus Cultural Forum Chairperson Munawar Hassan said: “this year’s festival is reduced to one day due to Covid-19, but we will continue the festival online.” PNCA DG Dr Fouzia Saeed said that Pakistan has a rich cultural tradition and colours of linguistic diversity should be celebrated in all forms. Secretary Culture Sindh Akbar Laghari said that Sindh government cooperates with other provinces and federal institutions to promote cultural interaction. Country Director of Friedrich Nauman Foundation Birgit Lamm in her remarks said that she is thrilled by the enthusiasm which Pakistani people show for their languages and cultural identity. The National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage (Lok Virsa) organised a Mother Language Literature Festival on Sunday to celebrate the importance of mother languages. Professor Saeed Ahmed said that promotion of linguistic and cultural diversity is an important cause which can highlight the cultural potential of Pakistan to the world. The International Sufi Foundation Pakistan Chairman Dr Saghar Abroo stated: “We are striving for equal dignity and respect for all regional languages as they represent a rich heritage and folk wisdom of millions of Pakistanis,” he added. Head of the language department at National University of Modern Languages Dr Amir Zaheer Bhatti said cultural diversity is a strength for nations and can help build resistance against terrorism and extremism through promotion of culture, Dr Bhatti maintained.   Published in The Express Tribune, February 22nd, 2021.

from Pakistan News, Latest News Pakistan, Pakistan Headline | eTribune https://ift.tt/37AItYJ
https://ift.tt/eA8V8J