ISLAMABAD, Nov 26: The visiting American linguist / philosopher Professor Noam Chomsky was presented the prestigious Dawn Award, The Ensign of the Rising Sun of Mehrgarh, at the conclusion of his lecture here today. Dr Adeebul Hasan Rizvi, winner of the Roman Magsaysay Award, and director, Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation, Karachi, presented the award to the professor for his outstanding contribution to furthering the cause of international understanding and enlightenment, on behalf of Dawn.

The symbol contained within the ensign is taken from Faiz Mohammed greyware excavated in Mehrgarh, in eastern Balochistan, and dates back to pre-history. Viewed as a helicon, the four quadrants that constitute the ensign are interpreted to represent the four provinces of Pakistan: Balochistan, the North-West Frontier Province, Sindh and Punjab.

The irregular lines within the quadrants thus represent the unifying force of the river Indus which, flowing through the four provinces, symbolizes Pakistan’s material, cultural and social unity. The rays of light emanating from the corona of the ensign are a metaphor for the energy and force of a young nation looking towards the future, yet closely bound to both tradition and history.

The site of Mehrgarh in the Balochistan piedmont was excavated and documented by a French archaeological team under the stewardship of Jean Francois Jarrige. The site, possibly linked to a heliolithic culture, shows continuous occupation and the remains of a material culture dating back to circa 8000 BC.

Derived from a drawing by Catherine Jarrige, The Ensign of the Rising Sun of Mehrgarh Award is crafted in gold, and interpreted by Messrs Private Collection, Karachi.