The Sindh Madressatul Islam University (SMIU) feted the delegates of the Sindh Literature Festival, at its campus here on Saturday night.
The three-day festival was organised in the metropolis, an official of the institution said on Sunday.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Hamida Khuhro, a veteran historian of Sindh, hailed the holding of the festival.
She remarked that it was a good sign that a huge literary program was organised in Karachi by some young people.
Dr Khuhro was of the view that such traditions be continued in future as well.
In her remarks at the reception, she said that Sindhi is an ancient and rich language, in which rich literature is produced.
“But we, people of Sindh, ourselves have neglected it,” Dr Khuhro remarked.
She said that it was a good sign that a huge literary program was organised in Karachi.
“Likewise, the Sindh Literature Festival, Children’s Literature Festival should also be organised in various cities of Sindh,” she suggested.
Adviser to the Chief Minister Sindh Saeed Ghani said that it was a good initiative to organise Sindh Literature Festival in Karachi that will play an important role in the promotion of Sindhi language and literature.
He said that there are a large number of proficient Sindhi writers, who are producing good literature, hence they must be honoured.
The Director of Russian Consulate Karachi said that programmes like Sindh Literature Festival are contributing a lot in promotion and development of national languages like the Sindhi language.
He said that Russia also gives preference to its national and regional languages.
He suggested that there should be a collaboration between the universities of Pakistan and Russia.
SZABIST Secretary Dr Suleman Shaikh said in his speech that SMIU is not merely a university, but it is a movement, which started 131 years ago by its founder Hassanally Effendi, and now Dr Muhammad Ali Shaikh running it successfully.
He said that the Sindhi language has centuries-old roots in Sindh, and despite facing difficult days at various times, it has survived. Therefore, the Sindhi language has no threat in future too.
Earlier, SMIU Vice Chancellor Dr Muhammad Ali Shaikh in his welcome address pointed out that Sindh Madressah played a pivotal role in the creation of Pakistan.
Talking about the Sindh Literature Festival, he said that it was a healthy activity that will inspire the youth who will design their new approach about Sindhi literature, culture, history and education.
Ali Akash and Naseer Gopang, organisers of SLF, also spoke on the occasion.
The reception was attended by diplomats of various countries, writers, intellectuals, academia, jurists and representatives of civil society, including Justice (Retd) Hamid Ali Mirza, Abdul Qadir Mangi, former Secretary Sindh Culture Department, Dr Arfana Mallah, Amar Sindhu, Dr Ali Rind, Dr Ayoob Shaikh, Dr Qasim Rajper, Rakhial Morai, Asghar Soomro, deans, faculty and staff members of SMIU and other guests.
