November 11, 2003	Tuesday	Ramazan 15, 1424

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KHAIRPUR, Nov 10: Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad inaugurated 182nd annual Urs of Sufi saint Sachal Sarmast by laying a floral wreath on his shrine in Daraza on Monday.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Ibad announced a grant of Rs1 million for repair and maintenance of the shrine of Sachal.

Later, the governor attended the Mehfil-e-Sama.

Earlier, Sajada-i-Nashin of the shrine, Sakhi Qabool Mohammad, complained that only announcements had been made for the grant of funds for repair and development works of the shrine but nothing practically had been done due to which the floor of the shrine had been damaged.

He deplored there was no facility of bathrooms or of accommodation for the devotees who came from all over the world.

District Nazim Nafisa Shah said funds had been sanctioned to construct the Sachal Cultural complex in Daraza.

Later, the governor distributed Sachal Awards to Sakhi Qabool Mohammad for his thesis on the Sufi thought, Taj Joyo for his thesis, Ahmed Khan Madhosh for poetry, Dr Malik Nadeem for thesis on Sufism, Lal Dino Shah for Sughar poetry and Deeba Sahar for singing.

Lifetime achievement award was given to the late Jamshed Faqir as sufi singer and his son received the award on his behalf.

The governor announced a cash prize of Rs100,000 for the Faqirs and singers of the shrine and Rs20,000 for Ms Sahar, separately.

Ghulam Hussain, Motan Shah, Bhural Fakir, Sher Shah, Nazeer Fakir and other Sufi singers performed on the occasion.

The unofficial Urs proceedings started four days ago with a ceremony named Ishq Abad. The Faqirs took the Sajada Nashin to ascend the throne of Ishq while singing on the musical instruments of Yaktaro and Chapryoon. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the Faqirs exchanged greetings by wishing each other Ishq Mubarak.