HYDERABAD, Dec 22: Provincial Minister for Fisheries Zahid Ali Bhurgri has said that special efforts will be made to patronise artists of Sindh and to promote their works.

Speaking as chief guest at a seminar held on Wednesday on “Our Art: Past and Present”, he said artists of the country, especially those of Sindh, promoted Pakistan abroad through their contributions The event was organised by the Institute of Art and Design University of Sindh in collaboration with Sindhi Adabi Board, Jamshoro.

He urged the managements of the adabi board and institute to prepare a feasibility report and a list of artists, saying that he would personally approach the chief minister of Sindh for allotment of residential plots to the artists of the province.

He said that the PPP government always respected artists and promoted their work, adding that artists were an important segment of any civilised society.

Highlighting efforts of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto for patronising artists of the country, he said that to acknowledge her services, renowned artists of Sindh would also be given awards. Artist and short-story writer Fatah Halepoto highlighted services of senior artists and teachers who taught art in schools.

“We must work practically instead of paying lip service for promotion of art,” Mr Halepoto said and added that educated people, writers and intellectuals should come forward for the promotion of art. He appreciated efforts of Sindh University and Sindhi Adabi Board for organising such an important seminar.

Inamullah Shaikh stressed the need for writing history of Sindh in an independent manner and said that art contributions of Sindh would take a special place in that history.

He also lauded services of artists like Gul Muhammad Khatri and said that there was a dire need that the government should patronise art.

He said that the remains of Moen Jo Daro, old buildings of British period and tombs at Makli were monuments of art.

He said that the available history of Sindh was only one-way account of history and there was a need to engage historians to writer an independent history of Sindh.

Mr.Abdul Fatah Daoudpota in his paper said that presently more than 100 Sindhi speaking artists were working in different institutes of the country on socio-political art, portraits, life, water colour and other aspects of art.

Dr Mohammad Ali Bhatti, director of the Institute of Art and Design, announced that collaborative work on art would continue to promote art. He also highlighted programmes imitated by the institute and degree courses in different disciplines.

Dr Bhatti also appreciated services of senior teachers and scholars of the institute for the development of the institute and said that their services would always be remembered.

Prof Anjam Pirzada, Niamat Khilji and .Saeed Mangi also expressed their views and highlighted history of different aspects of art.

Syed Zawar Naqvi, secretary of Sindhi Adabi Board, said that the papers presented in the seminar would be published in a book form.

He pointed out that the board had already initiated writing of history of Sindh and assigned work to the scholars in different districts of the province. He said that a book written by Ustad Ameer Ali was under publication and would be soon available on music for the first time in history of Sindhi literature.

Pro Vice-Chancellor Dr Rafia Ahmed Shaikh, Registrar Dr Muhammad Siddique Kalhoro, Shaikh Aziz, Naseer Mirza and Taj Joyo were present on the occasion.

The minister also inaugurated the exhibition at the Benazir Bhutto Gallery where art work of A.R.Nagori, Muhammad Ali Bhatti, Fatah Halepoto and a number of famous artists was displayed.

In acknowledgment of services special shields were awarded to A.R Nagroi, Gul Muhammad Khatri, N.Q Shaikh, Zafar Kazmi, Mansoor Alam Abro which were received by their families. Shields were also awarded to Fatah Halepoto, Ali Nawaz Phull and others on their art contribution

PhD PROGRAMME: The University of Sindh approved launching of an 18 credit hour PhD degree programme in science disciplines from academic session 2011 on the recommendations the Board of Faculty of the Faculty Natural Sciences, at its 10th meeting here on Tuesday.

The meeting discussed in detail PhD degree programmes in different disciplines of science under course work and recommended to start it under the faculty of natural sciences.

Dean Faculty of Natural Sciences Dr Mohammad Tahir Rajput presided over the meeting attended by senior professors of various institutes and departments as well as science scholars from various universities and affiliated degree colleges.

DATE EXTENDED: Provost of boys hostels of the University of Sindh Prof Ghulam Ali Jareko has extended last date up to Dec 29 for submission of hostel allotment applications by fresh candidates selected for admissions in the university for academic session 2011.

The candidates concerned have been advised to obtain hostel allotment forms from HBL Jamshoro for prescribed fee.