HYDERABAD, July 7: Sindh Minister for Culture and Tourism Shabbir Ahmed Kaimkhani on Thursday inaugurated golden jubilee celebrations of the Bhitshah Cultural Centre by laying a chadar and floral wreath on the shrine of immortal poet Shah Abdul Latif. The minister was accompanied by Sindh Secretary for Culture and Tourism Mehtab Akbar Rashdi, Indian Sindhi writers Hari Motwani, Hero Thakar, Nand Chugani and Saeen Nazan Shah.

The director-general of the Sindh culture department, Mr N.D. Jatoi, director information Dr Mohammad Kamal and Sindhi Adabi Sangat secretary Taj Joyo were present on the occasion.

The minister also inaugurated the Shah Latif Music Academy.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Kaimkhani said the culture department was taking steps to hold functions across the country for disseminating the messages of peace and love of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai.

He said the three-day golden jubilee celebrations were being held at Bhitshah, Hyderabad and Karachi to enable maximum number of people to attend the function and listen to the message of Shah Bhittai.

The minister said the culture department would soon market the cassettes of famous Raagis of Shah. He said international conferences would also be organized to spread the message of the immortal poet at which scholars from all over the country and India would present their papers on the life and works and philosophy of Shah Bhittai.

He said a programme was on the anvil to hold cultural festivals at all the district headquarters of the province starting from Badin and Tharparkar.

Mr Kaimkhani said Shah Latif was the poet of all humanity and it was therefore necessary to spread his message throughout the world.

He said setting up of music school at Bhitshah would provide opportunities to youths to receive education in music and poetry of the great saint and poet.

Indian Sindhi writers said Shah Latif and his poetry were immortal and added many a book and research work on Shah had been published in India.

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