Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The five-day training programme for children in ‘traditional truck art’, organised by the National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage (Lok Virsa) in collaboration with Federal Directorate of Education (Training Wing), successfully concluded at Shakarparian.

It was part of the series of programs that Lok Virsa is currently holding under the title ‘Craft is Knowledge’ with the sole objective to promote traditional skills, giving knowledge to younger generation about the importance and utility of different crafts and provide opportunity to youth to learn about Pakistan’s rich, diverse and pluralistic culture. It also encouraged youth to value dignity of labour, foster ownership for their culture, create respect for different professions and character building. It helped in understanding the contribution of artisans in the sustainable development of our country.

Sixty students from the schools running under the administrative control of Federal Directorate of Education and children of the visitors to Lok Virsa Heritage Museum participated in the programme and learnt craft-making techniques from master trainers/artisans between September 18 to 22 at the beautiful surroundings of the Heritage Museum.

Master artisans, who imparted training to children in this programme, included Muhammad Farid and Muhammad Ijaz. They possessed a vast knowledge and experience in this profession. They have been participating in national exhibitions and festivals and promoting the image of Pakistan by demonstrating their skills before the foreign visiting delegates and dignitaries.

On the occasion, Farid said: “It is a unique experience for me to teach craft-making techniques to children from the platform of Lok Virsa. The participants were keen to know each and everything involved in the process. I tried to transfer my knowledge to them in an interactive manner. Some children were very intelligent and they got a lot in a little time.”

Artisan Muhammad Ijaz said that the idea of providing training classes to children was fantastic. “Though I trained young boys in my native town, but holding training classes with children of a developed urban area like Islamabad is a memorable task for me. They gave me ideas and suggestions about making new innovations,” he said.

Published in Daily Times, September 23^rd 2017.