November 22, 2008	Saturday	Ziqa'ad 23, 1429

HYDERABAD, Nov 21: Noted intellectual and writer Mohammad Ibrahim Joyo has said that children are future builders of the nation and they must be taken care of.

He was speaking at a seminar organised by the Sindhi Language Authority here on Thursday evening to mark the International Children Day.

Mr Joyo said that children should not only be given computer education which was necessary in the modern age but children’s literature should be also published and should be made available on CDs to impart latest knowledge to children.

“The first training centre of a child is the lap of the mother where a child receives initial education,” the scholar said and added that a literate mother would always give top priority to the education of her child.

He said that it was his earnest desire that a children encyclopaedia should be compiled and urged the writers to create children’s literature of good quality.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Adal Soomro said that it was fundamental duty of society and parents to ensure that all children were educated. He stressed the need for inculcating reading habit among children.

He said that a large number of children in the country were suffering from TB and added that it was the duty of the government and parents to protect children against fatal diseases.

He said that the Sindhi Adabi Board, Institute of Sindhology and Sindhi Language Authority could perform a key role in the creation and dissemination of children’s literature. He called upon the Sindh government to establish a children’s academy.

Ayaz Patoli, Ayaz Gul, Dr Fehmida Hussain, Naseer Mirza and Indian writers Dr Jeto Lalwani and Hero Thakur also spoke on the occasion.

Earlier, the secretary of the authority, Taj Joyo, welcomed the guests.