Trends of materialism, ethnic politics, academic malpractices and self-domination have affected our universities
ISLAMABAD: Literary activities have been a focal point in the history of the educational institutions in the subcontinent and have played a vital role in the upbringing of the students. Even after Pakistan’s independence, these institutes played a significant role in character building of the young generation. Unfortunately, because of many extraneous factors, literary activities gradually vanished.
The two-day literature carnival at the Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) is a great milestone in the current existing atmosphere. A popular television anchor elaborated on the highly significant relationship between literature and society, and stressed that this kind of activities are vital for a vibrant and coherent society. Session on the topic of literature and journalism was the most important session, in which other television anchors eulogised the role of media and journalists in the modern society. Scholars like Prof Fateh Muhammad Malik and Dr Mujahid Mansuri also addressed the audience and revitalised the relationship between media and the literature of a society. They stated that both literature and journalism are having pivotal positions in modern societies and are highly interlinked.
The trends of materialism, ethnic politics, academic malpractices and self-domination have adversely affected our universities in the past couple of decades. Activities like these can eliminate the atmosphere of negativity and radicalism, and bring back the feelings of pleasure and atmosphere of tolerance, peace and harmony in society. Emotions of hatred can be replaced with sentiments of love and affection in the educational institutions to make this country a peaceful society of the world. AIOU did a great job in the revival of literary activities in the universities of Pakistan. Hopefully, other will follow suit.
Dr Saqib Riaz
Published in The Express Tribune, April 22nd, 2017.
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