Book lovers welcomed 2021 with a book fair in Quetta. In 2019, some youngsters had converted the non-operational building of a local hospital into the Lore Karez Sariyab Library.

The three-day Sariyab Literary Festival and Book Fair (February 21 to 23) brought together teachers, students and a general book reading public from across the province.

The festival started on February 21, the Mother Languages Day, with a poetry recitations gathering. Many renowned poets presented their poetry in Balochi, Brahvi and Urdu and received appreciation from a lively audience. There were six discussion sessions at which issues like youth activism and leadership, career counselling, importance of reading book and female education and empowerment were discussed first among panelists and then by the panelists and the remaining participants. The session on youth and education was addressed by Urooj Khan, Dr Samiullah Khan and Javed Ahmed Sarparah.

“The Sariyab Festival is an important step towards promotion of a book reading culture in Balochistan,” said Prof Manzoor Baloch. “A book is a friend that never lets you down. Select your favorite books and start reading right away. It is important that each one of you spends a significant amount of your time in book reading and developing an informed understanding of the issues that concern you. The school or college curriculum is compulsory reading, but youngsters should also read other books. A lot of challenges lie ahead. However, I see great potential in the youth today. I trust that they will face every challenge bravely and overcome it.”

“As the crises and challenges confronting them become bigger, they will produce great leaders, writers, speakers and thinkers.” He also appreciated the contribution of various groups of volunteers in organising the event. “The establishment of an institution is easy; the harder part is to continue and take it forward,” he said. “The Sariyab Library has proved an agent of change. It is encouraging to see that 90 percent of the festival participants are youngsters. This is the real change. We can get great ideas by reading books that have changed the world.”

While answering a question raised by a student, Prof Barkat Ismail said, “You must be a good reader before you can be a great writer. It has been heartening to see such a gathering in Sariyab. It has been a long time coming. Such events must be arranged all over Balochistan. The society needs to develop the reading trend.”

Sabira, an MA student, said converting a closed hospital into a library had been a great initiative of the local youth.

The festival started on February 21 on the Mother Languages Day with a poetry recitations session. Renowned poets presented their poetry in Balochi, Brahvi and Urdu and received appreciation from the participants. 

MPA Ahmad Nawaz Baloch said that befriending books was important to face challenges of modern era. Baloch added that the youth of Balochistan had the potential to make a positive change. “They need a platform to show their abilities. The youth here have made great beginning. They have made us proud. We want to provide a new building for the Lore Karez Library. The reading culture needs to grow and to spread.”

Zulaikha Manzoor, a student of BS education at Sardar Bahadur Khan Women University (SBK), said that the festival had brought a good name to Sariyab. “We should overcome the taboos and provide education to all our girls. All worthwhile changes have to reach the grassroots level.”

Bismillah Baloch, 24, one of the organisers of Lore Karez Library, said, “We have had to face a lot of challenges in making this project a success. We have now collected 4,500 volumes. As many as 450 students, including 50 girl students, are visiting the library for reading. Twelve members of the Lore Karez Library have cleared the Balochistan Public Service Commission examination for senior school teacher (SST), eight have qualified the written test for lecturers and one for tehsildar. Four student members have cleared the written test for medical colleges admissions.”

“We took the initiative in 2019. The seed germinated and the sapling has now become a full-grown tree. It is our aim to enable the youth to fight against poverty, illiteracy and social evils.”

Shakoor Baloch said that among others the project had been supported by Mir Gul Khan Naseer, Azat Khan Jamaldini, Syed Zahoor Shah Hashmi and Munir Ahmed Badini.

Writer Waheed Zaheer said that education was the only way forward. “If you are unable to deal with the change in society, you might lose everything you have. Today many youngsters are afflicted with drug addiction. This leads them into a life of crime. Such disasters cause disappointment all around. Such festivals can help bring them back and they can start their journey towards all kinds of progress,” he said.

“The engagement of the youth in the book fair will promote the reading culture. This is a source of happiness for all of us. It is a need of the times. All of us must facilitate these young people and provide them space and resources. The government and notable citizens should provide funds for such projects.”

Journalist Zainuddin said that the organisers of the event deserved special thanks. “Despite facing great odds, including a lack of furniture, books and a building, the youngsters have started a library in one of Quetta’s most densely-populated areas. They have proved that nothing is impossible. I am confident that our future is secure in the hands of such youngsters. They are doing their part for promoting education.

The writer is a journalist based in Quetta