At last, the one and the only children library in the capital city is freed, after six long months, from the possession of militants, as the result of the much awaited Lal Masjid and Jamea Hafsa operation, accomplished on July 10. The eight-day showdown badly marred the socio cultural life of the city.
However, the release of the children library sent a message of relief and consolation amongst the children who have been on their summer holidays these days. Now they can spend some time in healthy and educative pursuit of knowledge, beyond their usual curricular literature.
One Ali Javed, a brilliant student of middle class recorded his reaction towards liberating the library with these words, "It is nice that the library has been given back to the children after a long period. It however, reveals the poor state of patronage of the rights of the new generation by our society. Anyhow end well, all is well." This scribe talked to some teachers and fathers about the development.
They opined that the dying library culture must be brought to life in our society as an integral segment of the nation's cultural heritage. It may be recalled that there is a Directorate General of libraries, under the Federal Ministry of Education. It is, however, regretted that it has not any credentials on its part, with regard to purview and performance.
Even the so called National Library of Pakistan is located in a far flung area, of an extremely high security zone, making access for readers impossible. With such a state of affairs we may say that over half a million of the population of the capital city has been deprived of a proper and accessible library equipped with quality books, newspapers and magazines. Would the torch bearers of the much propagated theory of enlightened moderation ponder over the issue.
PAKISTANI LITERATURE: A SOURCE OF INTERFAITH TOLERANCE:
A delegation of eminent intellectuals, scholars and writers, including Dr Bronwyn Rae, Jeniffer McDennoug, Kati Kanutila and Amy McDuffie from USA visited Pakistan Academy of Letters on July 10. Dr Bronwyn Rae, while expressing his views about Pakistan's heritage and literature said, "Pakistan is a land of rich cultural heritage, based on the cherished values of peaceful co existence and interfaith understanding and tolerance. The literature created here is a true exponent of its great heritage. The english version of it has played a great role in bridging the linguistic gap amongst the nations of the world."
During the literary discussion the consensus emerged that the world should give priority to literature in their lives so that an ambience of peace, tolerance could prevail. It was also agreed that exchanges of literature, literary figures and creative people should be enhanced. The delegation appreciated the valuable work of the PAL, for the promotion of literature in indigenous as well as other languages and the welfare of writers.
Earlier Iftikhar Arif, chairman of the PAL, briefed the delegation about the accomplishments of the academy and its ongoing projects, with special reference to the bimonthly journal "Pakistani Literature", a magazine that reproduces national literature from all Pakistani languages into the English language.
NEW NATIONAL CULTURE POLICY:
A new national culture policy is in the offing and would be announced soon. Presently the culture policy of 1995 has been under implementation. The national and international scenario has abundantly changed during the past decade. So, people at the culture ministry were engaged in making a new version of the culture policy, suited to the nation's present day interests.
Dr G. G. Jamal, Federal Minister for culture, while describing the salient features of the new policy said, "We are proud to be the custodian of the world's most ancient civilisations. So we should project it in a befitting manner, so that our true image, of a peaceful, tolerant and progressive people, could emerge amongst the comity of nations." The Minister further said that the new culture policy would include elements of cultural diplomacy and cultural tourism. For that matter, culture and tourism sectors would be integrated so that to further enhance the socio-economic prosperity of our people.
It is suggested here that for the promotion of the national languages, artistic and literary exposures should also be given priority in the new national culture policy.
DEVELOPMENT OF ECONOGICAL CULTURE:
In the wake of rapid and tragic growth of pollution in our surroundings, a sharp sense of redressal has also been emerging, our officially. We have always been critical of the issue of the uprooting of the trees and green belts from the capital by the city body called CDA. Now it deserves our appreciation for its valuable initiative of adding recreational parks to the city. The first phase of Lake View Park, in the vicinity of Rawal Lake, at the cost of Rs 350 million, has been completed and opened for public.
The CDA has promptly launched the second phase of the facility, spreading it in an area of almost 75 acres, with the possible extension upto 100 acres. It would cost about Rs 550 million and would be accomplished within a 22 months time period. It is hoped that the CDA would also keep a proper system of maintenance of the park as a symbol of intact natural beauty. The people of the twin cities greatly welcome the initiative by the CDA, as it provides them a source of relief. Dr Kh. Nasim Ahmad, a city physician said, "Thank God, at last our bureaucratic machinery has realised the health concerns of our citizenry."
The morning walkers at the Shams Abad Public Park in the midst of Rawalpindi city asked the local municipal body to follow in the foot steps of the CDA and, at least improve the shabby condition of the only central park of the city.
Comments
Comments are closed.