THATTA, Jan 23: The graph of readers is sliding in Sindh with every passing day and the visionaries are required to use their influence to motivate the younger generation to read books, especially literature.

Intellectual and poet Dr Mohammad Ali Manjhi said this while delivering a presidential address at a “literary evening” with poet Naveed Kehar at Makli on Thursday.

The event was jointly organized by the Sindh Cultural Forum and the Sindhi Adabi Sangat.

Dr Manjhi said that the problem-ridden world of today was keeping away the new generation from their heritage, culture and literature.

The ever-growing graph of population, poverty, shrinking of resources, unemployment, uncertain future, and sense of deprivation have influenced the youth of the Third World in particular to get relief through vulgar movies and other such activities.

He said for over four centuries Thatta had historically remained a seat of learning in this part of Asia, housing over 400 academic institutions.

He said this town was an exception as it had produced the first poet of Urdu poetry, Abdul Hakim Attar.

About young poet Naveed Keher, Mr Manjhi said he was a dedicated poet, and a rising star in the literary circles.

Aziz Kinhrai, Sadiq Lakho, Asghar Halo, and Qamar Abbasi also spoke on the occasion.