Moalims

MD Baitul Maal Barrister Abid Waheed Sheikh viewing the displayed stuff on different stalls during harnessing culture with education programme titled craft of the month in Lok Virsa.

ISLAMABAD: The pottery-making programme organised by National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage (Lok Virsa) in collaboration with Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) and Pakistan Baitul Mal (PBM) concluded on Friday.

PBM Managing Director Barrister Abid Waheed Sheikh, who was the chief guest at the ceremony, said such programmes inculcate awareness among youth about rich craft heritage of the country. “Pakistan has a rich and diverse culture, which needs to be projected at national and international level,” he said. He also drew the attention of FDE and CAAD to include `culture’ as a subject in school curriculum.

FDE Director General Dr Shahnaz Anjum Riaz, the guest of honour, also appreciated the contribution of Lok Virsa in harnessing culture with education in an effective manner. “We will continue to collaborate with Lok Virsa for its ongoing initiatives aimed at projecting beautiful folk heritage of the country,” she said.

Lok Virsa Executive Director Dr Fouzia Saeed apprised that 20 special children from National Centre for Special Education also participated in the programme. “Lok Virsa is happy to facilitate the educational institutes for engaging youth in creative works by providing them on-ground opportunities to learn various crafts from artisans,” she said.

The ceremony presented vibrant and colourful performances by children including popular Punjabi folk songs, mystic songs and a cultural diversity show by students of Islamabad Model School for Girls, F-11/1.

A large number of art lovers and students attended the event at which products made by children during the training classes were also displayed.

Over 250 children, aged between six and 14 years have participated in the programme so far.

The pottery training classes at Lok Virsa will continue till October 11 from 10am to 6pm, with Sunday specially reserved for adults to learn the craft and experiment with clay. The registration is free and raw material for craft making is also being provided by Lok Virsa.

Master trainers, Sardar Ali from K-P, Faqir Muhammad from Sindh, Naveed Ahmad from Punjab and Niaz Ahmad from Saidpur Village, Islamabad are providing the training.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 10th, 2015.