HYDERABAD, March 12 People should use Sindhi language in information technology as this would promote both the language and the culture. Addition of Sindhi in computer support system and on Internet will benefit Sindhi speaking population, said Abdul Majid Bhurgri, a visiting scholar from the US during a seminar organised by the Sindh Education Trust (SET) and the Sindhi Language Authority (SLA) on “Information technology and promotion of Sindh language” at Dr N.A.Baloch Auditorium, Sindhi Language Authority.

Bhurgri briefly recalled the history of Sindhi computing beginning with his pioneering work in 1987-88 which made the use of Sindhi on computer possible for first time and thus revolutionised printing and publishing industry.

Later, in 2000-01, he developed first-ever Sindhi font that conformed to the international Unicode standard and thus laid foundation for standardised Sindhi computing, he said. He worked with the Microsoft Corporation in the US to obtain support for Sindhi text processing and it was at his behest that Unicode text processing engine of Windows was modified so that it could process Sindhi text properly, he said.

He said that this made the use of Sindhi possible on Internet and worldwide web for the first time and opened up new vistas for the language on the horizon of information technology. He said since then he made available all the needed resources for use of Sindhi on computers and Internet for free download at his website www.bhurgri.com.

Another visiting scholar from the US, Dr Sagheer Shaikh highlighted the latest advancements in the field of information technology which had radically changed the way people communicate and interact through electronic media and Internet. The conventional modes of communication are being replaced by modern peer to peer interactive communication, he said.

Leaderless web structures of today grow organically where users are also managers/contributors and vice-versa, he said and added that this has opened up new vistas for interchange of information and paved the way for unprecedented growth possibilities.

He further said that it was imperative for younger generation to get attracted towards the use of Sindhi on computers and Internet and it can only be possible if we provide Sindhi based 'cool' tools, i.e. services and products.

He said that it was essential to use Sindhi on web and Internet using the foundation provided by Bhurgri. He also suggested that viewing of Sindhi web pages and entry of Sindhi text should be script independent so that people living in all parts of world can benefit from it.

Secretary Sindh Education Trust, Prof Aijaz Qureshi stressed that universities and educational institutions must play a positive role in this regard and impart basic knowledge relating to use of Sindhi on computers and Internet.