THE Mother Language Day was celebrated across the world on Feb 21. Sindhi is considered the most ancient language of the subcontinent. It is deeply rooted in the soil of the Indus Civilisation and Moenjodaro, its capital city, the 5,000-year-old, well-planned urban metropolis of the ancient world. It is accredited as the third greatest civilization of the world.

Sindhi is not only rich in modern literature and poetry but also in classical poetry, Sufi poetry, folklore, folk literature, folk tales, romantic tales, and love stories.

Sindhi has its own script and it had remained the official language of Sindh right from colonial times. Since long, the people of Sindh are demanding that Sindhi must be given its rightful place and the status of one of the national languages of Pakistan with Punjabi, Balochi, Siraiki and Pashto.

Urdu will remain the Lingua Franca, as well as national language of Pakistan, and such decree would not endanger Urdu. As Pakistan is a multi-cultural and multi-lingual country, the five major cultures and main five languages be given the status of national languages.

While strengthening the main cultures and major languages of the country, it will reduce ethnic tensions, ethnocentric trends, and ethnic violence. The diversity of culture will bring unity and cohesion among the people of Pakistan.

Thus the anxiety, chaos, and ethnic aloofness prevailing among the common people would be reduced and subsequently love, peace, harmony, and national unity would be strengthened in the country.

Prof Lal Bakhsh Jiskani

Hyderabad