Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The 70th Independence Day celebrations started on Tuesday with a prestigious ceremony held at Shakarparian.

The event had been organised by the National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage (Lok Virsa) in collaboration with Brahvi Academy Pakistan and Federal Directorate of Education.

The event was part of the over-all activities chalked out by the Ministry of Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage to mark the upcoming Independence Day.

During the ceremony, a number of colourful performances, including national songs, special plays, folk songs and folk dances, were presented by children in traditional costumes.

The children presented national songs ‘Dil Dil Pakistan’ and “Eh Putar Hatan De nei Vikdaty’, Kalam-e-Iqbal, Brahvi folk song ‘Dane pe Dana’, Punjabi folk song “Lai Bai Qadran Nal Yari’ and “Lathe De Chadar’ and a special play on the rights of children.

Earlier, Lok Virsa, in collaboration with Brahvi Academy Pakistan, had organised a one month ‘Children Summer Camp in Punjabi and Brahvi Languages’ from July 5 to 31, 2017. Thirty children had participated in the camp and learnt vocabulary and a lot about the indigenous folk cultures, traditions, folk music, rituals and other aspects of Punjabi and Brahvi communities.

During the ceremony, children were also granted certificates in recognition of their participation in the summer camp and their performances in the ceremony.

Press Council of Pakistan (PC) Chairman Dr Salahuddin Mengal, who is also chairman of Brahvi Academy Pakistan, graced the event as chief guest. In his address, Dr Mengal commended the efforts of Lok Virsa for promoting and projecting the traditional culture of Pakistan in such a beautiful way.

In her welcome speech, Lok Virsa Executive Director Dr Fouzia Saeed said: “We are proud to hold today the first event of the seventy-year independence celebrations of Pakistan. The purpose of the summer camp was to sow the seeds of pluralistic society in the youth of Pakistan and provide them an orientation about the languages, poetry, crafts, music and festivals of different provinces and communities. The camp also contributed immensely towards creating ownership among children regarding Pakistan’s languages and cultural heritage besides reaffirming our identity of being multi-cultural and pluralistic country.”

“The children besides their classes, also visited various museums and explored the beauty and richness of Pakistani culture and heritage,” she said.

Taqi Akhundzada, a senior member of Lok Virsa Board of Governors from Gilgit Baltistan (GB), also attended the ceremony.

A large number of people from various walks of life, including children and youth, teachers and educationists were also present and enjoyed the thrilling performances presented by children.

The main events to mark the Independence Day will be held from August 10 to 14 with special activities such as cake cutting, exhibition of artisans-at-work, live folk musical performances and several other attractions.

Published in Daily Times, August 2^nd , 2017.