Intellectuals urge youth not to devalue Punjabi culture and traditions

[LahoreEstate]

Intellectuals urge youth not to devalue Punjabi culture and traditions

* Daily Times editor-in-chief urges youth to learn and speak mother tongue, serve and save Pakistan
* AIMC principal stresses need to increase awareness among public about methods to prevent AIDS

Staff Report

LAHORE: Renowned journalists and intellectuals have urged the youth not to devalue Punjabi language, culture and traditions, and follow the footsteps of Allama Iqbal and Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah to put the country back on the track of progress and development.

They were addressing the launching ceremony of the Allama Iqbal Medical College (AIMC) magazine ‘Shaheen’ at the college auditorium on Monday. Daily Times and Daily Aaj Kal Editor-in-Chief Najam Sethi, Editor Daily Pakistan, Mujeebur Rehman Shami, Member of National Assembly (MNA) Yasmeen Rehman, Dr Ajmal Niazi of Punjab TV, AIMC Principal Dr Javed Akram, Shaheen magazine President Dr Arif Tajamul, and various other eminent personalities were present on the occasion.

Women and new generation: Najam Sethi urged the youth not to repeat the mistakes made by the previous generation. He said it was of utmost importance that the new generation succeeded, as their success was closely associated with the country’s survival. He urged the youth to learn and value their mother tongue like people from other ethnic identities valued their mother tongues in Sindh, Balochistan and NWFP. He said it was a positive sign that the number of female students was increasing in educational institutions. However, he added women should continue their professional careers even after marriage to serve the country instead of only coordinating household activities. He explained how women are deprived of their rights and stressed the need for husbands and in-laws to grant equal opportunities to women. He said Pakistan was a heaven on earth, and we should strive with sheer determination to strengthen the country.

Shami said AIMC students should be torchbearers of principles and philosophy in the footsteps of great leaders like Jinnah and Iqbal, as their institution was named after the two legendary personalities. He said he was glad to see doctors involved in current affairs and literary activities.

Dr Ajmal Niazi hailed the publication of Shaheen magazine in three languages, including Punjabi, English and Urdu. He said the new generation of Punjabis should not let go of their culture.

Yasmeen Rehman and Dr Akram said the publication team of Shaheen had demonstrated that the doctors could excel in any walk of life. He said doctors and journalists were closely linked due to the somewhat similar nature of their professions. They said women needed to come forward to play their role for the country’s development. Research conducted in various parts of the country has revealed that working women enjoy a better standard of life as compared to housewives, they said.

Awareness programme: Dr Akram announced that lectures pertaining the spread of AIDS and Hepatitis would be conducted and would be aimed at increasing awareness of methods to prevent these fatal diseases. He said a separate ward had been set up at the Jinnah Hospital for free treatment of AIDS patients.

Yasmeen Rehman said a forum was being set up at the national level, under which members of the national assembly would start an awareness campaign against AIDS in their respective constituencies.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp...009_pg7_41