The inaugural session of a two-day international conference on “Literature, Society & Reconstruction: Past, Present and Future” held on Tuesday which was organised by Department of Urdu, Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur, in partnership with the Higher Education Commission.
Dr Parveen Shah, Vice Chancellor, presided over the conference while Justice (r) Syed Ali Aslam Jafferi was the chief guest and Prof Dr Ghulam Raza Bhatti, Member Higher Education Commission on HRD, was the guest of honour.
While addressing the session, Prof Dr Parveen Shah said, “Literature is the source of inspiration and a weapon to curb the menace of terrorism, militancy and extremism. The world literature has promoted the essence of tranquillity and harmony in the society.” She said, “It has provided a constructive platform to spread the message of peace and unity and she was optimistic that this conference would produce far-reaching impact on the Pakistani society.”
“Language and literature go side by side and help us to establish mutual respect in the region. Through literature, we converse with the great writers and poets of the world such as Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, William Shakespeare and Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai.” Justice (r) Syed Ali Aslam Jafferi said in his speech that the conference would project meaningful results and would promote human dignity. “Khairpur has remained a hub of literary activities. This city is popular not only in cultural activities but also in literary gathering. In the past, Mir Ali Nawaz Naz wrote Diwan-e-Naz and the contribution of Hazrat Sachal Sarmast in Urdu poetry is also preserved in the pages of history. On February 2, 1952, the first All Pakistan Urdu Conference was held in Khairpur in which two sessions were arranged. The first session was presided by Dr Mehmood Hassan and the other was chaired by the Father of Urdu Molvi Abdul Haque.”
Prof Dr Ghulam Raza Bhatti said: “Literature is the agent of change. Humans have shaped the civilisation. The term jihad is misused. Literature is the only source which can inspire millions of people and guide them towards a better future. I request the organisers that the upcoming conference should be dedicated to children’s literature. We can design a syllabus taken from masterpieces of great writers to change the mindset of negative thinking.”
Prof Dr Hens Warner from Sweden presented his keynote speech on “Literature at the margins underprivileged groups and their literature in South Asia.” He said: “Literature has strengthened the weak societies. It has promoted the cultural identities. Moreover, it has given unique identity to the disadvantaged community.”
Prof Dr Satya Pal Anand delivered his keynote speech on the importance of literature. He said: “The world is now considered as global home. At present in Europe more than 13 languages are spoken. Sindhi, Punjabi and Urdu and others languages are rich in Sufi literature. I urge that folklore may be given writing shape because it carries history, wisdom and living of old civilisation.”
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