Preservation of cultural heritage, a national obligation: Begum Mehmooda Mamnoon

Preservation of cultural heritage, a national obligation: Begum Mehmooda Mamnoon

ISLAMABAD, Nov 8 (APP): First Lady Mehmooda Mamnoon Hussain
on Tuesday said cultural heritage is the identity of a nation, which must be preserved, considering it a national obligation.
“Pakistan has a diverse and beautiful cultural heritage and needs preservation by transferring the folk traditions to next generations,” the First Lady said while speaking as chief guest at the seven day training programme on traditional basketry, here at Lok Virsa Museum.
Begum Mehmooda said the nations that detach themselves
from their own culture and blindly follow alien cultures, are unable to live with pride among comity of nations.
She said protection of cultural identity boosts a nation’s confidence and paves its way towards progress.
She appreciated Lok Virsa for projecting indigenous folk cultures of all provinces and the regions, in a beautiful manner.
The First Lady stressed the need for exploring international markets to showcase the work of Pakistani artisans to sell their handicraft, which she said would also attract foreign exchange.
Also, the display of artifacts at the country’s tourist points can provide these artisans an effective platform for promotion of their art, she added.
Begum Mehmooda proposed Lok Virsa and other relevant departments to give recommendations to the government for the uplift and welfare of artisans.
She said Lok Virsa’s training programme ‘Craft of the Month’ was proving helpful in reviving the centuries old handicraft and appreciated the support of Federal Directorate of Education and Directorate General for Special Education in apprising the young generation craft of basket making.
Begum Mehmooda expressed pleasure on presentation of Iqbal’s
poetry and performance on national songs by girls students of
Islamabad’s public schools and colleges.
She lauded the efforts of Executive Director Lok Virsa Dr.Fouzia Saeed and her team in organizing the event and said the performance rendered by special children in particular was fabulous.
Dr Fouzia Saeed, Executive Director Lok Virsa said the training programme on handicraft was started keeping in view the transfer of skill to young generation.
She said so far, Lok Virsa had organized 12 programmes under the series successfully and hundreds of children had benefitted from this initiative.
She announced that Lok Virsa would hold the next programme on
‘Weaving’ from December 19 28, where master artisans in the field of
traditional handloom from across the country would be invited to coach the children for a week.
Later, Begum Mehmooda Mamnoon gave away certificates of
appreciation to girl students who presented cultural performance relating to all provinces.

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