April 21, 2009
Failure of Global Muslim Communities
by Sadia Dehlvi
Courtesy: Globe Online
‘The Inability to Present Islam as a Peaceful Religion is a Collective Failure of Global Muslim Communities… Let Us Become Louder Than the Radical [Islamist] Voices That Claim to Represent Us”.
Tag Archives: Sub-continent
echoes of Sufi Chanting- Sohrab Fakir
Sindhi Film “Vaisara Ee Gum وائيسر ئي گم” being released in Mumbai
Sindhi Film “Vaisara Ee Gum وائيسر ئي گم” being released in Mumbai on 24th April 2009
An out and out comedy film “Vaeesara Ee Gum وائيسر ئي گم” after running successfully in Nagpur, Raipur, Ulhasnagar is being released in Mumbai on 24th April 2009. The schedule of the shows is as follows-
1. Fame Raghuleela ,Vashe, daily one show 9.30 p.m. 2.Fame (Andheri)daily one show 9.30 p.m.
The film is written by Kishor Lalwani and Directed by Mohand Sachdev. It is being distributed by Shringar films limited of Mumbai. The details of the film can bee seen on – www.sindhifilm.com
Lord Mahavir and Jain Religion
Lord Mahavir’s (maahaa= vaddo, vir= viiru) birthday
Complied by Pravin K. Shah of Jain Study Center of North Carolina, USA
Lord Mahavir was the twenty-fourth and the last Tirthankara of the Jain religion. According to Jain philosophy, all Tirthankaras were born as human beings but they have attained a state of perfection or enlightenment through meditation and self realization. They are the Gods of Jains. Tirthankaras are also known as Arihants or Jinas.
The danger to India, mark you, is not communism, it is Hindu right-wing
Courtesy: Gilobeistan
By A.G. Noorani
Jawaharlal Nehru said in 1963: “The danger to India, mark you, is not communism, it is Hindu right-wing communalism.”
For full article, please click here
Continue reading The danger to India, mark you, is not communism, it is Hindu right-wing
“The People of Kashmir are the Masters of their own Destiny”: G. M. Mir
Washington, D.C. April 19, 2009. “The people of Kashmir are the masters of their destiny, ” said Mr. Ghulam Mohammad Mir, former President of Jammu Kashmir Plebiscite Front at a reception given in his honor by the Kashmiri American Council/Kashmir Center, Washington, D.C.
Continue reading “The People of Kashmir are the Masters of their own Destiny”: G. M. Mir
Sindhi song – Titir Tez Uddaar – a mesmerizing performance by Anila Sunder
Universal message of peace and brotherhood
By Surjit Singh Flora
Beliefs of Guru Nanak Dev Ji
–God is one, – All human beings are equal, –Women are equal to men in all respects.
“There is no Hindu, there is no Muslim” (in Punjabi, “n k hind, n k musluman“). All are human beings.
Let’s Learn Sindhi through Interactive Multimedia- Sindhi Sangat
Sindhi Sangat and the Indian Institute of Sindhology, take pleasure and pride in presenting this “LET’S LEARN SINDHI CD-ROM” an interactive multimedia CD-ROM.
Click here for details
Continue reading Let’s Learn Sindhi through Interactive Multimedia- Sindhi Sangat
A documentary on Sindh and Sindhi Life
A Sindhi attorney in Los Angeles is currently working on a small documentary through the Sindhi Association of Southern California which is to be presented at a Sindhi Sammelan/ conference this July in Los Angeles, and potentially posted online. She is interested in using pictures of Sindhi singers, Sindhi art, and Sindhi historical monuments.
The documentary will be an interview of 5-10 elder Sindhis who left Sindh as refugees during the 1947 partition. The idea is to document their journey and recognize their ability to re build their lives and retain their culture. This movie will be made only to document their lives for younger generations to have a glimpse of how Sindhi culture survives in their lives. (this is strictly a non profit- educational and cultural video).
April 10, 2009
Sindhi Telefilm Pyar Jo Ahsaas!!
Anu has sacrificed her life for education and upbringing of her brother – Naren. Now that Naren has become a respected Doctor, there is a vacuum. Her life seems empty. Her friend Anjali, begins to look for some one appropriate for her – a life partner. This is when he comes in her life. Ravi , a doctor becomes Anu’s online chat friend from another city. But she does not want to meet him. Ravi was fine with this, until he is posted in the same city she lives.
Continue reading Sindhi Telefilm Pyar Jo Ahsaas!!
IT IS A TIME FOR CHANGE
by Indur Chhugani, India, ikchhugani@yahoo.com
It is a time for new beginnings & hope for a better tomorrow. We all talk about change. But how will that change come?
Change begins with a change in our mindset, a change in our hearts, and when we say that we can and we will make a difference! We all want a more secure environment to live in, and a law and order system that provides this to us. We owe this to our children and their future…
Pakistan is a Threat to Entire World? – Pranab Mukherjee says
Condemning the attack on Sri Lankan players in Lahore, India today said terrorism based in Pakistan is a “grave” threat to the entire world and warned that such acts would not stop till Islamabad takes “prompt” and “decisive” steps to dismantle terror infrastructure. Underlining that it is in Islamabad’s own interest to destroy the facilities for terror and bring such perpetrators to justice, New Delhi asked it to focus on this aspect rather than diverting attention of world community to others issues. “Attack on Sri Lankan team is highly condemnable,” External Affairs Minister of India Pranab Mukherjee said.
The Hur Movement of Sindh (1930- 43)
Research on Hur Movement
– MANZOOR H. KURESHI, Karachi, Sindh
….The Hur movement (1930-43) is one of the most important chapters that has played most vital role in the history of Sindh. Therefore in order to asses its impact on the pre and post independence period of modern Sindh, not only the Hur movement but the reign of two alien powers (Talpurs and British) who governed it through 19th and almost half of 20th Century also required exhaustive analysis with an eye of impartiality.
Post Mumbai: Conclusions
– Gen. Jahangir Karamat ex COAS
February 1st, 2009
Conclusions
By now so much has been said and written and has happened that there is a dire need to draw conclusions. Not just draw conclusions but to evaluate them, prioritize them and act on them.
The general consensus is that India and Pakistan need to talk. This is a decision that the political leadership on both sides needs to take. The how, when, where and what can be sorted out once this political decision has been made.
By now it is clear to all except the ostriches that Pakistan faces a serious internal crisis. This crisis is multifaceted and has many interconnected dimensions. It cannot be addressed unless there is an in-depth understanding of its reality. To do this it is necessary to develop a comprehensive picture of the scale and magnitude of the internal threat.
Recent writings, discussions and decisions have made it abundantly clear that Pakistan lacks a national intelligence coordination mechanism and a policy planning and decision making structure. This gap leads to reliance on intelligence agencies for not just intelligence but also the response options. This must change. Coordinated intelligence will produce the threat picture and the policy planning process will develop response options. From these options the decision maker will choose the course of action. This process will also respond to the criticism of intelligence agencies.
Political stability will be one facet of the response to the internal threat but the general conclusion being reached by most Pakistanis is that has to be the first step and it can be a comparatively easy step if personal ambitions and vendettas are shelved and simple decisions taken on restoring the parliamentary system, empowering the judiciary and election commission and removing controversial appointees.
There is a dawning realization that Pakistan should not seek an identity beyond our region in Arab lands. Our identity is in the greater South Asian sub-continent that includes Afghanistan. If we come to terms with this reality our bilateral relations with our neighbors will take on a whole new significance and urgency. For this a process of re-education has to start. Muslim countries and particularly Arab countries will remain our close allies and friends.
Finally it is clear that in a globalized world Pakistan’s foreign policy has to be on a global scale and Pakistan should never be seen as a threat to global peace. To climb out of the economic quagmire Pakistan has to forge relationships on the basis of trade, economic activity, technology transfers, investment, education, health care and support at the international level. This should help in prioritizing relationships and developing public opinion that supports foreign policy rather than opposing it. This is what will redefine and drive our relationship with the West.
Courtesy and Thanks: Wichaar.com
http://www.wichaar.com/news/294/ARTICLE/11905/2009-02-01.html
Sindhi dance competition- Koshi Lalvani Thirills Dubai
Dubai: Well known Sindhi singer/producer/ director( the awakening) Koshi Lalwani and friends organized a Sindhi dance competition in Dubai 15/1/2009 at high school. Koshi Lalwani the Dubai based producer of the crossover Sindhi film THE AWAKENING. The objective behind NACH NACH is to encourage inspire and provide credible platform to the youth to showcase their dance TELNET says Koshi, the beauty of the performance channelizes their efforts. We have invited noted personalities of the cinema to judge the performances, including PREETI JHANGIANI, SHABINA KHAN, NEETA LULLA, Koshi says.
January 17, 2009
Terrorism can’t be fought with terrorism
Mumbai Tragedy and its impact on Pak-India Relationship
Terrorism has no nationality or a religion
by: Iqbal Tareen, USA
Our brothers and sisters in India became victims of the similar insane and inhuman attacks that our people in Pakistan have been subjected to for a long time. The blood of innocent men, women, and children that is shed in both countries makes us brothers and sisters in blood.
Our common enemy is trying to turn our nations into a cloud of smoke. Can we find common grounds to fight back this threat? There are political groups in both countries, which are taking an unholy advantage of this tragedy to settle their own narrow political and ethnic accounts.
We know terror can’t be fought with terror just the way you can’t wash dirt with the dirt. We also know every Pashtoon is not a terrorist and every terrorist is not a Pashtoon. We can’t allow gang violence in Pakistan to substitute state power and legal governance.
This is a wake up call for all who have decided to take a sideline. History will not absolve them and will remember them with an unkind headline. I urge you to join us in this historic meeting of Forum for Justice and Democracy at Sadaf Restaurant, 1327 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852 to take a stand against violence and terror.
Join us to send a strong message that we are watching and so is the world. We will not tolerate intolerance that continues setting communities and nations against each other.
Sindhi language has ancient links with Sub-continent
Sindhi is an ancient language; over seventy percent of Sindhi words are Sanskrit. The fact that Sindhi is mostly written in the Arabic script, gives some people the impression that it is a Persio-Arabic tongue..
DR ANNEMARIE Schimmel, Harvard professor of Islamics, and versatile linguist writes: “Since every word in Sindhi ends in a vowel, the sound is very musical.” The treasures of the ancient Sindhi literature, of the immortal Sufi poet-saints, Shah, Sachal, Sami or the saints of Modern India: Sadhu TLVaswani, sung in sweet, melodious, rhythmic Sindhi tunes, fills the hearts and souls of the listeners with sheer rapture, joy and ecstasy. The Sindhis of India don’t have a land, nation or state to call their own. They are a scattered community, spread all over India, and in most countries of the world. If there is one thing that will help them retain their identity, it is the language. Unfortunately Sindhis have neglected their mother tongue, and if we don’t use the language, we will lose it. Language is the root of our community. Language is the soul of our community. If the soul is lost, how long can the community last?
Diwan Thakudas Pribhdas, advocate of Hyderabad said: “The language is probably, so far as its grammatical construction is concerned, the purest daughter of Sanskrit. It has a sprinkling of Dravidian words, and has in later times received large accessions to its vocabulary from Arabic and Persian.”
Sindhi language has evolved over a period of two millennia; with waves of invasions by Greeks, Arabs, Arghuns, Tarkhans, Scythians, Turks, Mughals and so on. Sindh, on the north west of undivided India, had always been the first to bear the onslaught of the never-ending invaders, and as such absorbed Hindi, Persian, Arabic, Turkish, English and even Portuguese words. The language of the people of Sindh has a solid base of Prakrit and Sanskrit, showing great susceptibility towards borrowings from Arabic, Persian, and Dravidian (such as Brahui in Baluchistan) . Sindh was the seat of the ancient Indus valley civilization during the third millennium BC as discovered from the Mohen-jo-Daro excavation. The pictographic seals and clay tablets obtained from these excavations still await proper deciphering by epigraphists
Sindhis in India have made their mark. Eminent Sindhis include Jairamdas Doulatram, LK Advani, Parso T Malani, Nari Hiranandani, Ashok Advani, Hindujas, Rahejas. Sindhi’s have 17 colleges and 19 hospitals and many others institutions.
Dr Lila Harchandani of Hyderabad, Sind, in her book ‘The Scattered Treasure’ has an interesting logic to back her theory. According to her some scholars confused the words Prakrita (meaning=natural) with the word Purakrita (meaning-formed first), which misled them. In the same way, she says, due to affinity towards Hinduism, litterateurs like Kishinchand Jetley translated a couplet from Sindhi poet, Shah Abdul Latif’s poetry into Sanskrit and concluded that the similarity shows the derivation of Sindhi from Sanskrit. She rightly argues that it could be the other way round too and cites two authorities to elucidate this point. One is Siraj-ul-Haq of Pakistan who states:
“The history of Sindhi is older than that of Sanskrit and its related civilization or culture are derived from the civilization or culture of Sindh and from Sindhi language…Sanskrit is born of Sindhi – if not directly, at least indirectly.”
Sindh is where Persian and Indian cultures blended, for the area was introduced to Islam in 712 AD. Thus, very little of Sindhi literature of the earlier period has survived. The Summara and Summa periods are virtually blank except for the few poems of Hamad, Raju and Isack. The heroic ballads of this period set to music by Shah Abdul Karim (1538-1625) are the earliest records of the Sindhi language.
Real flourish of Sindhi poetic talent came during the last stages of the 18th century. Although the time was not appropriate for cultural developments as invaders repeatedly plundered the country during this period. Several works like Shah Abdul Latif’s ‘Shah-Jo-Rasalo’ , the magnum opus of Sindhi literature, were produced.
It describes the life of a common man, the sorrows and sufferings of the ill-starred heroes of ancient folklore. Sachal, another eminent poet closely followed Shah Abdul Karim. He was a Sufi rebel poet who did not adhere to any religion and denounced religious radicals. The poet, Saami, was a complete contrast to Kari, more pious than poetical, yet possessing a charm of his own. There was an excess of songsters in Sindhi who recited similar ideas and themes in varied tones. The notable among them are Bedil, his son Bekas, and Dalpat. Gul Mohamad introduced Persian forms of poetry replacing the native baits and kafees. Mirza Kaleech
Other Articles by Ramesh Manghirmalani
Beg who composed on the same lines contributed a lot to Sindhi literature.
Dayaram Gidumal and Mirza Kaleech were two of the early prose writers. The former was a great scholar and he was famous mainly for his metaphysical writings. The noted lexicographer and essayist, Parmanand Mewaram, wrote essays that educated and instructed both young and the old. This peer group also comprised of Bherumal Meherchand, Lalchand Amardinomal and Jethmal Parsram and Acharya Gidwani, NR Malkani and Dr HM Gurbuxani.Tikamdas Wadumal Mansukhani, Bar-at-law from Qeens College, become first Mayor of Karachi, ZA Bhutto and Syed Sharifuddin Pirzada were legal associates in Karachi.
Courtesy: http://www.merinews.com/catFull. jsp?articleID= 137849
Sindhu Putra, Spiritual Leader of Sindhu Civilization in 5000 BC
By: Gul Karamchand
It was with utmost interest that I read Theme no. 9 at about Sindhu Putra, the Spiritual Leader of Sindh and the subcontinent in 5,000 BCE.
It is a marvelous account, with dramatic highlights, and touches the heart. Certainly it is worth reading, circulating. and reprinting.
The brutal assassination of Sindhu Putra in 5,000 BC brings home to us with sadness that the sacred soil of Sindh has, from time immemorial, suffered from brutality, violence, murder as also executions under false legal cover and assai nation of the best and brightest by hired guns.
To see this theme 9, please open http://www.sindhulogy.org and a click of the top heading of ‘Projects’, will list the themes from Return of the Aryans – and among those is Theme 9 about Sindhu Putra.
International Sindhi seminar was great success
NEW DELHI, INDIA: A three-day international Sindhi seminar held at New Delhi (India) from Oct 26 to 28, 2007 which was a great success…
The seminar organized by an NGO Maruee in collaboration with Sindhi Academy, Delhi was attended, among others, by a 12-member writers’ delegation from Sindh (Pakistan) headed by Dr Suleman Shaikh – associated with Sindh Graduate Association – SGA. This was the 5th seminar of its kind which was held in connection with the silver jubilee celebrations of Maruee and it was dedicated to the great Sindhi Sufi poet Hazrat Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai (1689 – 1752). Various Sindhi speaking people who were followers of Shah Latif and living in various parts of India specially came to Delhi to attend the seminar.
A musical show was also organized on the occasion in which renowned singers from Sindh Shafi Faqir, Ms Paroo Chawla and Ms Padma Gidwani (both from India) performed. An Indo-Pak poetic symposium dedicated to the two renowned Sindhi poets late Naryan Shyam and late Shaikh Ayaz held. Sant Kanwar Awards were also distributed on the occasion. Ms Veena Shringi, General Secretary of Maruee and Ms Shalini Sagar – Information Secretary made special efforts to make this seminar a great success.
The members of Sindh’s delegation were; Dr Suleman Shaikh (leader), Abdul Fatah Malik Advocate, Mohammad Khan Sial, Noor Ahmed Jhinjhi, Ali Haider Shaikh, Ms Najma Shaikh, Shafi Faqir (singer), Ms Mehrunissa larik, Ms Nusrat Lashari, Ms Nazir Naaz, Ms Mumtaz Fatah Malik & Ms Nahid Hingoro. The Group members visited various historical, religious & entertainment places in Delhi like Jamia Masjid, Red Fort, Gate of India, Mazars of Sarmad Shaheed & Abul Kalaam Azad, Mazar of Nizamuddin Olyae, Qutab Minar and most modern under-ground train system (metro train) which is still under construction but partially is in operation.
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If two Germanys re-unite, why not Pakistan, India? Pro-govt. ex- parliamentarian Syed Khadim Ali Shah demands in Delhi seminar
NEW DELHI, INDIA: A pro-Govt ex-parliamentarian (Pakistan) Syed Khadim Ali Shah who belongs to Mirpurkhas district in Sindh has suggested that if two Berlins (Germanys) reunite, why not Pakistan and India? He was speaking in an inaugural session of Sindhi seminar held on Oct 26, 2007 at Delhi which was dedicated to the Great Sindhi Sufi poet Hazrat Shah Abdul Lateef Bhittai. Mr Shah attended the seminar in connection with launching ceremony of 04 books including his book written on Shaheed Bakhtaawar – a Sindhi lady who laid her life for raising voice against unjustified distribution of grain between peasants and landlords in Thar. It may be pointed out this was a literary and non-political seminar which held from Oct 26 to 28 in Delhi to celebrate silver jubilee celebrations of Maruee – an NGO in collaboration with Sindhi Academy, Delhi (Sindh). Later organizers of the seminar, informally expressed their embarrassment on such political demand in a literary programme dedicated to the Sufi poet Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai (Sindh)
Source: SindhWeek.com
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International Sindhi Conference in Singapore – An important effort to keep Sindhis Connected
By Dr. Satish Rohra
Under the auspices of Alliance of Sindhi Associations America and Singapore Sindhi Association, a memorable Sammelan/Conference held at Singapore from 27th to 29th July 2007.
This conference was International in real sense. In former Sindhi conferences most of the time only a few delegates from neighboring country attend. But this Sammelan was attended by delegates from 35 countries including USA, U.K, India and Singapore around the world. …
It is necessary to mention here that beginning of these Sammelans was made by Sindhis of America. In beginning for many years this Sammelan was held in USA or Canada. The very first Sammelan was held at New Jersey near New York. New one was in New York. Later they were held at Chicago, Toronto (Canada), San Francisco, Los Angeles, Orlando, Las Vegas, etc. Three years ago it was held at London. Last year it was held at Mumbai.
… This was the first Sammelan, which was inaugurated by the head of the State. On the 27th July at 7pm, at Hotel Grand Copthorne, President of the Republic of Singapore, his Excellency Shri S. R. Nathan personally lit the lamp and declared the conference open. Mr. Presidnet Nathan had come together with Lady Nathan and some of his cabinet ministers and other officials. …
It was also the first time that India’s former deputy Prime Minister and Opposition leader in the present parliament of Indis, Shri Lal Krishin Advani graced the Sammelan with his presence…
President of Singapore, Mr. Nathan who inaugurated the Sammelan or conference praised Sindhi’s role in the development of Singapore. … The key note speaker, Professor Kishore Mahbubani, Dean of the Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at National University of Singapore and former ambassador of Singapore to the United Nations, said, so far Sindhis have been engrossed in “difficulties”, “achievements”, and “trade”; now they should pay attention to other three and they are “Globalization”, “Peace” and “Tolerance”.
High commissioner for India in Singapore, Dr. Jaishankar, welcomed all delegates and expressed his pleasure that this Sammelan was organized in Singapore.
Dr. Satish Rohra said that the Sammelans and conferences of this kind are very necessary in which we talk and strengthen ourselves as Sindhis. Dr. Rohra further said, “Sindhiat” is not a name of anything… Dr. Satish emphasized that there are many virtues in Sindhi Sanskriti which could bring about a “better world”. He further said, it is wrong to believe that Sindhis have no unity; in fact Sindhis are quite well united… Dr. Rohra also pointed out that for Sindhis “to stay connected to each other” is enough, and that itself is the unity.
Ram Jawhrani said that although majority of Sindhis are financially well off … Kimat Israni talked of ten points on nourishing Sindhi Bhasha…
… Swami Swaroopanatida’s discourse on one way praised Sindhis but at the same time he talked the lack of unity in Sindhis. Swamiji’s talk was very powerful.
Dr. Ram Buxani had plenty to say. His main topic was “Talk Sindhi”, Live Sindhi” and keep “Sindhyat” alive.
In the concluding speech, Kamlesh Moorjani told in his loud and effective voice the achievements of this Sammelan and congratulated the organizers. ….
Source: Sindhishaan
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19/11/2007
NEW DELHI, INDIA: A three-day international Sindhi seminar held at New Delhi (India) from Oct 26 to 28, 2007 which was a great success…
The seminar organized by an NGO Maruee in collaboration with Sindhi Academy, Delhi was attended, among others, by a 12-member writers’ delegation from Sindh (Pakistan) headed by Dr Suleman Shaikh – associated with Sindh Graduate Association – SGA. This was the 5th seminar of its kind which was held in connection with the silver jubilee celebrations of Maruee and it was dedicated to the great Sindhi Sufi poet Hazrat Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai (1689 – 1752). Various Sindhi speaking people who were followers of Shah Latif and living in various parts of India specially came to Delhi to attend the seminar.
A musical show was also organized on the occasion in which renowned singers from Sindh Shafi Faqir, Ms Paroo Chawla and Ms Padma Gidwani (both from India) performed. An Indo-Pak poetic symposium dedicated to the two renowned Sindhi poets late Naryan Shyam and late Shaikh Ayaz held. Sant Kanwar Awards were also distributed on the occasion. Ms Veena Shringi, General Secretary of Maruee and Ms Shalini Sagar – Information Secretary made special efforts to make this seminar a great success.
The members of Sindh’s delegation were; Dr Suleman Shaikh (leader), Abdul Fatah Malik Advocate, Mohammad Khan Sial, Noor Ahmed Jhinjhi, Ali Haider Shaikh, Ms Najma Shaikh, Shafi Faqir (singer), Ms Mehrunissa larik, Ms Nusrat Lashari, Ms Nazir Naaz, Ms Mumtaz Fatah Malik & Ms Nahid Hingoro. The Group members visited various historical, religious & entertainment places in Delhi like Jamia Masjid, Red Fort, Gate of India, Mazars of Sarmad Shaheed & Abul Kalaam Azad, Mazar of Nizamuddin Olyae, Qutab Minar and most modern under-ground train system (metro train) which is still under construction but partially is in operation.
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If two Germanys re-unite, why not Pakistan, India? Pro-govt. ex- parliamentarian Syed Khadim Ali Shah demands in Delhi seminar
Courtesy: SindhWeek.com
NEW DELHI, INDIA: [By: Special Correspondent – Sindh Week.Com Report] A pro-Govt ex-parliamentarian (Pakistan) Syed Khadim Ali Shah who belongs to Mirpurkhas district in Sindh has suggested that if two Berlins (Germanys) reunite, why not Pakistan and India? He was speaking in an inaugural session of Sindhi seminar held on Oct 26, 2007 at Delhi which was dedicated to the Great Sindhi Sufi poet Hazrat Shah Abdul Lateef Bhittai. Mr Shah attended the seminar in connection with launching ceremony of 04 books including his book written on Shaheed Bakhtaawar – a Sindhi lady who laid her life for raising voice against unjustified distribution of grain between peasants and landlords in Thar. It may be pointed out this was a literary and non-political seminar which held from Oct 26 to 28 in Delhi to celebrate silver jubilee celebrations of Maruee – an NGO in collaboration with Sindhi Academy, Delhi (Sindh). Later organizers of the seminar, informally expressed their embarrassment on such political demand in a literary programme dedicated to the Sufi poet Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai (Sindh)
Courtesy: SindhWeek.com
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International Sindhi Conference in Singapore
An important effort to keep Sindhis Connected
By Dr. Satish Rohra
Courtesy: Sindhishaan
Under the auspices of Alliance of Sindhi Associations America and Singapore Sindhi Association, a memorable Sammelan/Conference held at Singapore from 27th to 29th July 2007.
This conference was International in real sense. In former Sindhi conferences most of the time only a few delegates from neighboring country attend. But this Sammelan was attended by delegates from 35 countries including USA, U.K, India and Singapore around the world. …
It is necessary to mention here that beginning of these Sammelans was made by Sindhis of America. In beginning for many years this Sammelan was held in USA or Canada. The very first Sammelan was held at New Jersey near New York. New one was in New York. Later they were held at Chicago, Toronto (Canada), San Francisco, Los Angeles, Orlando, Las Vegas, etc. Three years ago it was held at London. Last year it was held at Mumbai.
… This was the first Sammelan, which was inaugurated by the head of the State. On the 27th July at 7pm, at Hotel Grand Copthorne, President of the Republic of Singapore, his Excellency Shri S. R. Nathan personally lit the lamp and declared the conference open. Mr. Presidnet Nathan had come together with Lady Nathan and some of his cabinet ministers and other officials. …
It was also the first time that India’s former deputy Prime Minister and Opposition leader in the present parliament of Indis, Shri Lal Krishin Advani graced the Sammelan with his presence…
President of Singapore, Mr. Nathan who inaugurated the Sammelan or conference praised Sindhi’s role in the development of Singapore. … The key note speaker, Professor Kishore Mahbubani, Dean of the Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at National University of Singapore and former ambassador of Singapore to the United Nations, said, so far Sindhis have been engrossed in “difficulties”, “achievements”, and “trade”; now they should pay attention to other three and they are “Globalization”, “Peace” and “Tolerance”.
High commissioner for India in Singapore, Dr. Jaishankar, welcomed all delegates and expressed his pleasure that this Sammelan was organized in Singapore.
Dr. Satish Rohra said that the Sammelans and conferences of this kind are very necessary in which we talk and strengthen ourselves as Sindhis. Dr. Rohra further said, “Sindhiat” is not a name of anything… Dr. Satish emphasized that there are many virtues in Sindhi Sanskriti which could bring about a “better world”. He further said, it is wrong to believe that Sindhis have no unity; in fact Sindhis are quite well united… Dr. Rohra also pointed out that for Sindhis “to stay connected to each other” is enough, and that itself is the unity.
Ram Jawhrani said that although majority of Sindhis are financially well off … Kimat Israni talked of ten points on nourishing Sindhi Bhasha…
… Swami Swaroopanatida’s discourse on one way praised Sindhis but at the same time he talked the lack of unity in Sindhis. Swamiji’s talk was very powerful.
Dr. Ram Buxani had plenty to say. His main topic was “Talk Sindhi”, Live Sindhi” and keep “Sindhyat” alive.
In the concluding speech, Kamlesh Moorjani told in his loud and effective voice the achievements of this Sammelan and congratulated the organizers. ….
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