November 28, 2006	Tuesday	Ziqa'ad 6, 1427

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OKARA, Nov 27: Indigenous cultures and languages are under threat from ruthless globalisation and it calls for a joint struggle to create awareness among the people regarding their identity in face of onslaught by ‘dominant’ cultures.

It was said by the organisers of a five-day 3rd Punjab Lok Boli Mela being held at Bangla Googera— some 20km away from Okara on Faisalabad road— in the lawns of the Government High School Googera.

The organisers, Shafiq Butt, Tahir Mehdi and Matloob, said the Mela was jointly arranged by three organisations—Punjab Lok Sujag, Punjab Lok Rahas and Punjab Lok Boli Sangat-working for the cause.

They said through such activities they wanted to bring the regional languages and cultures into the mainstream in local perspective.

They said for the last 150 years Punjabi language was being suppressed by respective establishments and their cronies.

“We are trying to promote folk languages and cultures under such programmes through a multi-pronged strategy. We invite the students of public schools to various activities going on in the Mela, including Punjabi essay writing, theatre and debates.” they said.

They said so far 750 schoolchildren had participated in various events being held as part of the mela, besides hundreds of local women.

They said representatives of 35 farmers’ bodies also attended the Mela and decided to form a country-wide agriculturists’ organisation.

The event was also attended by a delegation of All Pakistan Bonded Labour Federation which demanded through a resolution that the menace should be eliminated as decried by high courts.

A Boli Confrence was also held, where speakers highlighted various issues related to language and culture.

A special tribute was paid to the freedom fighter Rai Ahmad Khan Kharl in the presence of his fifth generation family heads Rai Amanullah Khan Kharl and Rai Rab Nawaz Kharl.

A play written by renowned Punjabi scholar and critic Najam Hussain Syed and directed by Huma Safdar-Ik Raat Ravi Di-was also staged during the mela. Similarly, another play, Ravi Da Raath was also presented. Folk singer Kuldeep Deepak from Canada sang the poetry of Shiv Kumar Batalvi for the local audience who thoroughly enjoyed it.

Performances by three folk dance parties—Buzdar Jhoomer party from Meharray Wala, Rajan Pur district, Potohar Jhoomer party from Potohar belt and Ravi Jhoomer party from Moza Bashera— were also part of the event, which was held away from the so-called media centres.