HYDERABAD, Nov 23: Sindh Education Minister Pir Mazharul Haq, who is also chairman of the Sindhi Adabi Board, inaugurated the first Sindh Children Festival organised by the board in Jamshoro on Sunday.

Over 4,000 schoolchildren belonging to government and private schools in Nawabshah, Sukkur, Umerkot, Kandiaro, Mithi, Naushahro Feroze, Sehwan and Kotri attended the fair.

Members of the board and a large number of scholars, writers, teachers and eminent people from all walks of life were also present on the occasion.

Debates, quiz programmes, essay competition as well as music competition were the hallmarks of the fair. Tableaux were also presented by the students on different subjects.

Mr Mazhar announced Rs10,000 for special children and Rs15,000 for students who had taken part in the painting competition and were declared winners.

Speaking on the occasion, the minister announced that children festival will now be held every year and added that from next year such fairs will be held in every district of the province.

He said that children were an asset for the country as new leadership will emerge from the students of today.

He said the people’s government will make all out efforts to encourage extra and co-curricular activities. He also announced regularisation of services of all the temporary employees of the board.

He said that it was his earnest desire that the board should now start working on modern scientific lines. He said the board will also establish an MF radio service for the promotion of literary, social and cultural activities.

Pir Mazharul recalled that even the school children had held protest demonstrations and taken out protest processions in the movement against Ayub Khan. He said the martyrdom of Benazir Bhutto was a great tragedy but her supreme sacrifice had not gone in vain.

He said the Sindhi Adabi Board, instead of performing its conventional role, will now take practical steps in the development and promotion of Sindhi language and literature.The vice-chairman of the board, Shaikh Aziz, secretary Zawar Naqvi, the organisers of the festival, Ms Najma Panhwar, Ms Sameena Memon and others also spoke on the occasion.