GILGIT: The three-day Pakistan Learning Festival began at the Fatima Jinnah Government Degree College for Women here on Tuesday under strict coronavirus standard operating procedures.

The organsiers said the event was meant to celebrate and preserve the multicultural heritage and eco-diversity of the region.

The festival was organised by the Idara-i-Taleemo Aagahi`s flagship programme, Children`s Literature Festival, in collaboration with the regional education department and with the support of the GB government, Rupani Foundation, British Council, Oxford University Press, State Bank of Pakistan, Bank of Punjab, Telenor Pakistan, Serena Hotels, Sightsavers, Northern Areas Transport Corporation, and GB tourist police.

Its first day was attended by hundreds of students and their parents, teachers, academics, educationists and people from other walks of life.

GB chief secretary retired Captain Mohammad Asif appreciated the ITA and CLF`s efforts for`providing an inclusive learning platform and a wonderful avenue to the children of Gilgit to improve their learning and creativity`.

OUP managing director Arshad Saeed Husain, British Council area director Michael Houlgate, Rupani Academy executive director Bahadur Ali K h a n and CLF co-founder Ameena Saiyid appreciated the ITA and CLF for holding the learning festival in the region.

The participants paid tribute to mountaineer Ali Sadpara and other lost legends associated with the CLF, including Haseena Moin, Farooq Qaiser and Akbar Zia.

Winner of CLF Young Author Award 2020-21 Karishma Aziz and incredible sisters of Chapursan Valley GB also participated in the event.

The festival saw the college`s grounds and halls packed with children. Multiple sessions took place. They`re named af ter Dadi Jawari, Deosai, glaciers Baltora Batura and Biafo, mountaineers Samina Khayal Baig and Ali Sadpara, Rakaposhi, Ghizer Valley, Nagar Valley and Fairy Meadows.

The children enjoyed storytelling sessions, especially on local languages and reading of RtR books adapted in Urdu under ITA`s PLP project besides STEM workshops by Science Fuse, Oxbridge and Karkhana.

The stalls and book fair in the open space attracted children and families, while marches and pledges for climate change and book reading were also made.

The organisers said the event served as a platform to connect literary figures, thinkers, poets, and artists, who produced new knowledge, with the children, teachers, parents and caregivers searching for effective and accelerated ways of learning in such difficult and uncertain circumstances.

Published in Dawn, June 3rd, 2021