THIS is with reference to the launch of the first Sindhi encyclopaedia, the Encyclopaedia Sindhiana.

On Dec 4 the first Sindhi language encyclopedia (volumes 1 and 2) was launched in Karachi by the Sindhi Language Authority on behalf of the government of Sindh. Its first volume consists of 3,712 entries based on the first three letters of the Sindhi alphabet, which consists of 52 letters.

The second volume consists of 2,571 entries based on the next six letters of the Sindhi alphabet, with an addition of 323 entries as an addendum to the first volume, resulting in a total of 2,894 entries. Approximately eight additional volumes may be required to comprehensively complete the project.

In view of the dearth of paedagogical and reference literature in the Sindh language, the publication of Encyclopedia Sindhiana is an extremely significant contribution.

The process of the completion of this monumental task is also an important mention in the annals of Sindh's literary productions.

DR GHAZALA RAHMAN RAFIQKarachi