LARKANA: Speakers at concluding day of the three-day Larkana Literature Festival held at Arts Counc-l Larkana on Monday evening called for revival of reading habits and instilling love for literature in new generation.

Larkana Commissioner Ghulam Mustafa Phull, who inaugurated the festival, said that the literature festival held for the first time in Larkana would boost love for literature among youth and citizens and instill in them reading habit.

Dr Sharjeel Noor Channa, deputy commissioner, and SSP Dr Mir Rohal Khan Khoso said that they should focus on education of children to ensure bright future of nation. Increased use of mobile phones had caused psychological issues among people and such literary activities would help bring them back to books, they said, adding that love of books would help them reject crimes and end drug abuse.

Larkana Mayor Anwer Ali Luhar said that migration of population from one place to the other caused multiple social problems in society. For instance, massive flood in 2010 displaced many households, he said, adding “we’ll have to work collectively for the betterment of society”.

Dr Mohammad Usman Keerio, vice chancellor of University of Larkano, said at a session on “Education in Sindh — shortcomings, challenges and remedies” that there was dearth of research in higher educational institutes. Outdated syllabus had shattered academic foundation of children, he said.

He said: “Unless we ensured better quality education for children our society will not make any progress. Modern education of science and technology will ensure better future”.

Prof Mukhtiar Samo, writer and founder of Knowledge Centre, said that political interference in postings and transfers, depleted infrastructure of schools in rural areas, huge drop-out ratio of students after primary level, more than five million out of school children, lack of basic facilities in schools, equitable provision of chances of education and children’s access to schools were serious issues, which must be addressed on emergency basis. He said that frequent refresher training as essential for teachers. There was also dire need of taking appropriate measures for improving secondary and tertiary education system and girls’ education.

Prof Dr Zameer Hussain Soomro, principal of Chandka Medical College, said that educational policies were made but their implementation in letter and spirit remained questionable in many instances.

Journalists Nisar Khokhar, Haneef Suhag and Hussain Ali Kumbhar said at a session on “Role of journalism in present days” that violence against journalists had increased. There was enough legislation for the protection of journalists but it was not implemented. On the concluding day of the festival a musical programme was held in which prominent singers Waqar Mallah, Shabana Soorath and Soniya Ali enthralled the audience.

The three-day festival featured 14 sessions on various topics. Six recently published books were also launched and a mushaira and cultural show were also held.

Published in Dawn, November 20th, 2024