THIS refers to Sohail Sangi’s report ‘Cronyism-hit Sindhi Language Authority’ (Nov 25) and a letter (Dec 4) by Mr Bashir Memon in which they have criticised the SLA’s working. It is necessary to clarify some of their main objections.
The main functions of the SLA are (i) promotion, (ii) teaching and (iii) use of Sindhi language. These functions are achieved through (i) publications and (ii) programmes.
Mr Sangi admits that the SLA has published 195 books on literature, language, dictionaries, science, religion, computers and children’s literature. We further add to the list “Encyclopaedia Sindhiana” (five volumes), Sindhi software and CDs for school children.
Similarly, seminars and conferences on various aspects of the Sindhi language are held, including workshops and lectures on the art of translation for young writers and journalists, teaching of Sindhi for primary teachers, and correct usage of Sindhi in the print media and text-books. Besides, monitoring of the print media and publication of Sindhi text-books is done under the supervision of the secretary, Sindhi Language Authority. The SLA also organises classes for teaching Sindhi. One such centre is run at Phuleli, Hyderabad. The others had to be closed down due to the public’s lack of interest.
The SLA had planned to establish a language laboratory, for which experts were contacted, including Dr Tariq Rehman of the National Institute of Pakistan Studies, Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad, who advised against it. They opined that the SLA should not waste scarce public revenue on buying any kind of laboratories as they are of limited value and are useless unless they have experts in the relevant field and such experts are not available in Pakistan. Thus the idea of establishing one was dropped by the BOG.
Mr Sangi has misinformed about the construction of a sound studio at the cost of Rs20 million. The fact is that the studio was built for only Rs7.5 million, which was provided by the Endowment Fund Trust for Preservation of Heritage of Sindh for recording the dialects and sub-dialects of Sindhi language through Sughar Kacheries and interviews. It is an asset for the institution, not a waste, as alleged. Regarding government funds, we consider ourselves the trustee of such funds and all transactions are made in a transparent manner.
No expenditure is incurred without the knowledge and approval of the Board of Governors, which comprises well-known scholars of Sindh such as Mohammad Ibrahim Joyo, Dr G. A. Allana, Dr Habibullah Siddiqui, Prof Qalandar Shah Lakyari, Ms Noorul Huda Shah, Sarfaraz Rajar, and other writers and intellectuals.
The present chairperson before joining the SLA was Professor and Director of the Shah Abdul Latif Chair in the University of Karachi in BPS-21 for 10 years, and, according to government rules, one higher pay group is admissible in such cases.
TAJ JOYO Secretary, Sindh Language Authority Hyderabad