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Book launching ceremony held

By Zahiruddin

CHITRAL: On the occasion of Kalash festival chilim jusht, the Kalash people were gifted a book which is considered to be an authentic and complete reference about the culture, tradions, rituals, religious dogmas and ways of life of the primitive people. In the launching ceremony of the book entitled “Ishpata” (meaning greetings in Kalash dialect) written by one Muhammad Inayatullah, school teacher by profession, the speakers eulogized the efforts and methodology adopted by the writer. They called the book the first-ever comprehensive treatise on the study of Kalash people. Those who addressed on the occasion included MPA from Chitral Ghulam Muhammad, Professor Mumtaz Hussain, Moula Nigah, Muhammad Yousuf Shahzad, Muhkamuddin, Hedayatullah and M Sarfaraz Ali Khan. The speakers said that the dying Kalash culture can be preserved by research activities and publishing them. They said that the writer has left no a single facet of Kalash people and has recorded it in accurate possible words. Referring to the earlier works on the subject, they said that they were infested with errors, misinterpretations and concocted tales because all they were alien to the valleys and had no first-hand knowledge and a lesser degree of interaction with the people. Some of the speakers expressed their apprehensions about the rising activities of foreign missionaries in the Kalash valleys of Bumburate, Birir and Rumbur and termed a threat to the culture. They alleged that in the garb of social and development works, the elements are meeting their ulterior motives. They said that Kalash are nonviolent people and they must be allowed to remain in peace in their segregated valleys so that the dying culture may last longer. Some of the Kalash elites Nabek Khan, Saifullah Jan and Beharam Shah also expressed their views about the book and appreciated the efforts of the writer. They said that the book also covers their religious dogmas as well.
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Shaheed Jawan Salahuddin laid to rest

By our Correspondent 

CHITRAL: The junior commissioned officer of Pak Army Salahuddin martyred in Orgakzai Agency operation against the militant was laid to rest here on Thursday in Shiaqotek village. His family sources said that he served the force for twenty years and left two sons, a daughter and widow to mourn his death.