Construction of Rs55m heritage institute launched

HYDERABAD: Sindh Minister for Antiquities Makhdoom Jamil Zaman on Monday performed the ground breaking for Rs55 million Dr N.A Baloch Institute of Heritage and Research to be established on a 3-acre land in Jamshoro.

Speaking at the ceremony, which was organized in Jamshoro attended by writers, intellectuals and notable persons, the minister recalled the contributions of late Baloch for literature, history, art, music and education.

"His work is as magnificent as the man himself was," Zaman remarked.He said the Government of Sindh values its marvellous scholars, writers and other personas who had been born in the land. "Setting up corners, galleries and institute is a way to pay them homage and also a means to carry forward their legacy of learning," he observed.Zaman informed that Dr. N.A. Baloch Institute of Heritage and Research would produce scholars who would study and explore the researches of late Baloch done on a myriad of subjects.

That would also be a way to preserve the history of Sindh as documented by the late scholar he added.

The minister also said that the institute would help complete the unfinished books and works of late Baloch.

"The scholars like Dr N. A Baloch, Shaikh Ayaz, Allama I,I. Qazi and Makhdoom Talibul Mola, to name just a few, are themselves an invaluable heritage of the land," Zaman, who is himself a grandson of Makhdoom Talibul Mola, remarked. The minister said that he felt a pride for being able to perform the ground breaking ceremony for the institute of a peerless scholar.Zaman lauded the efforts of Habibullah Siddiqui, Secretary Antiquities Waseem Umrani and others for helping the setting up of the institute and also for running the institute for about three years in a rented bungalow in Latifabad.

Earlier, Secretary Antiquities Waseem Ursani briefed about the construction project which will be completed in two years time at the cost of Rs54.935 million to be borne by the Antiquities Ministry and Sindh Government.

The 3 acres land for the institute has been provided free by University of Sindh, according to the secretary.

"A library, history and research work material, residential accommodation for scholars and faculty, study rooms and conference hall will feature in the institute," he told. The objective of the institute was to preserve the array of studies, compilation and research of late Baloch in addition to promoting further research on his work, Ursani said.

The secretary informed that a 11-member advisory committee under the Antiquities Minsiter would work as the authority on the institute.

The ceremony was attended by Pro Vice Chancellor University of Sindh Dr Parveen Shah, Director of Dr. N.A. Baloch Institute of Heritage and Research Dr Habibullah Siidiqui, Dr Sharif Baloch, Abdul Ghaffar Soomro and Zain Sindhi, among others. (APP)