HYDERABAD: Scholars and authors from different countries have called for establishing a special fund for research on the history and civilisation of Sindh, adding that ‘Sindh Studies’ should be made part of universities’ syllabi as a subject.

They were speaking at a two-day international conference on ‘Sindh Studies’ organised by the Institute of Sindhology, which concluded on Tuesday night in Jamshoro.

Addressing the seminar, Sindh Culture Minister Syed Sardar Ali Shah said the institute was committed to hold such conferences. He said the major issue in Sindh was that institutions were not doing the work they were otherwise supposed to do. Such lacking on the institutions’ part affected their performance and they did not yield better results, he added.

If all institutions did the work entrusted to them, he said, it would lead to a significant change in their performance. He said that if anyone was committed to research-oriented work, his ministry would fully support him/her.

He maintained that one reason that hampered performance of organisations was lack of budget and resources. Unless those resources were made available, institutions would not be able to produce the desired results, he said.

He said it was high time that ‘Sindh Studies’ should be included in the syllabus as a subject to enlighten the future generations about their motherland.

A scholar from Malaysia, Dr Arshad Islam in his paper on Sindh’s history and past said Sindh’s history was great. Harappa and Moenjodaro were one of the greatest archaeological assets of Sindh civilisation, which helped everyone understand Sindh’s glorious past.

He said Sindh was rich in agriculture and trade resources. This land produced great personalities in history, who proved their mettle in their fields.

Scholar Dr Kaleemullah Lashari said research demanded seriousness as archaeology and heritage sectors needed serious attention. He said Deebal, Bhambhore and Moenjodaro required more research.

He said the Sindh government should come forward to promote such research-oriented work.

Dr Ghazala Rahman appreciated the Sindhology department for holding such a conference, but, she said, more work was required. She said the conference would prove to be a great source of learning for scholars from Pakistan and abroad.

Analyst Jami Chandio said universities should endeavour to promote research as they played an important role in establishing an enlightened society. Those institutions also helped bring about changes in societies, he added.

Institute of Sindhology director Dr Ishaq Samejo lauded the papers presented in the conference by scholars in the two-day proceedings.

Sindh University registrar Sajid Qayyum Memon said that such conferences were useful for society. The papers presented in the conference were interesting from the research point of view and would lead to more research work.

Dr Zulfikar Kalhoro said young scholars should be encouraged as they were identity of Sindh. Those scholars could promote Sindh’s culture and history in the world, he added.

Analyst Inam Shaikh said Sindh’s youth had tremendous potential and abilities, but they only needed opportunities to show their talent. The conference was the first step, he said and expressed the hope that this mission would be continued by those institutions.

Published in Dawn, November 23rd, 2017

Opinion

Editorial

‘Source of terror’
Updated 29 Mar, 2024

‘Source of terror’

It is clear that going after militant groups inside Afghanistan unilaterally presents its own set of difficulties.
Chipping in
29 Mar, 2024

Chipping in

FEDERAL infrastructure development schemes are located in the provinces. Most such projects — for instance,...
Toxic emitters
29 Mar, 2024

Toxic emitters

IT is concerning to note that dozens of industries have been violating environmental laws in and around Islamabad....
Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...