September 12, 2008	Friday	Ramazan 11, 1429

KHAIRPUR, Sept 11: The Sachal Yadgar Committee and Sindh Culture Department have finalised the arrangements for the three-day 187th annual Urs celebrations of renowned Sufi saint Sachal Sarmast, starting from 14th of Ramzan in Daraza Sharif.

A meeting of the SYC held on Wednesday night decided that Sindh chief minister would inaugurate the Urs celebrations, and would also attend Mehfil-i-Sama after laying floral wreath on the grave of Sachal Sain.

The Sindh chief minister would also distribute Sachal Sarmast Awards.

The meeting decided that the award for best singer would be given this year to Ghulam Ali Sandelo, best Sufi singer to Shaman Faqeer, best book on folk poetry to Zahid Hussain Mahesar, best worker award to Amar Iqbal, best Sughar award to Imam Dino Mehrani and a special award would be given to Sindh Culture and Tourism Department.

The meeting decided that Mohammad Punhal Dahar would be given award for his best research papers, and late Hadi Bux Larik, late Umeed Khairpuri and late Dr Tanveer Abbasi would be given life time achievement awards for their services in literature and social work.

The director general of the Culture Department Moonis Ayaz told journalists the names of scholars to be invited for Sachal National Conference in collaboration with Sindh Culture Department.

The arrangements had been made and invitation cards had been dispatched, he said.

Moonis Ayaz said that scholars who would read research papers on the poetry and personality of Sachal Sain include Shafqat Tanveer Mirza, Shaikh Aziz, Dr Rashid Mateen, Taj Joyo, Amar Sindhu, Kazi Javed and others.

He added that the keynote speech at Sachal National Conference would be delivered be by Sakhi Qabool Mohammad, Sajada Nasheen of Dargah Sachal Sarmast.

Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, speaker Sindh Assembly, would preside over the Sachal National Conference whereas Minister for Culture and Tourism Sassui Palijo, MNA Nafisa Shah would be the chief guest.