[Feature] The people of Shimshal Valley celebrating connectivity
Shujaat Ali
Keeping alive the rich cultural heritage and traditions, the people of Shimshal celebrated 7th anniversary of Shimshal road opening with traditional joy and fervour on 25th October, 2010. A huge number of people were present in the beautiful courtyard of Nawbahar School to celebrate and enjoy this tremendous event. The program started with a cultural show which was followed by opening of the Early Childhood Development (ECD) block at the newly constructed Nawbahar High School, Shimshal. Ms. Wilma together with Numberdar Baig Doulat cut the ribbon and the ECD centre was opened formally.
As part of the cultural show Qurban Karim, Muhabbat Shah, Muhammad Amin, Aziz Ullah, Shambi Khan, Muhammad Khayal Baig, Chiragh Ali, Rehmat Ullah Baig and Ali Rehman performed songs, adding to joys of the opening ceremony. The crowd stood up and started clapping when Qurban Karim and Muhabbat Shah together sung the famous song “Nijri Mar Zhu Khush Watan”. They were applauded for singing this historic song.
Zulfiqar Baig and Roza Jabeen were masters of the ceremony.
People presented folk dances starting from the elders and followed by the young generation. Speeches were presented by Hunar Baig, Asad Karim, Ghulam Amin and others. Songs, speeches, tableaus, skits, anecdotes, folk dances etc were presented by school children. Tariq Aziz a student of the Nawbahar School presented speech in English on ‘The Importance of Education in 21st Century”, that was appreciated by majority of the people. The teachers of Nawbahar School had worked hard to make this event a success.
Ms. Wilma from Germany was the chief guest on this occasion. She initiated the school project in Shimshal together with late Bakhtawar Shah. In the first phase an academic block was constructed. While in the second phase a state of the art teachers hostel and in the third phase EDC and computer centre were constructed by the technical and financial help of our German friends. The school is producing bright students every year. It is worth mentioning that it is one of the best schools in Gojal where teacher-student ratio equals and most of the teachers are non-locals .The non-local teachers have been provided hostel facility along with the school building. The school building consists of three blacks namely main academic block, teachers hostel and Early Childhood Development Centre. The computer centre is equipped with modern computers where student learn Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
Ali Mussa a local resident says, “This school brought a revolution in Shimshal. Today our children get modern education in their own village and they were provided all basic facilities for a better learning environment. It is now up to the presents that how they plan for the future of their children.” The community of Shimshal was very happy on the opening of ECD and Computer Centre in Shimshal valley. It will bring an educational change and provide better learning opportunity to the young generation. The program came to an end with refreshment.
Shujaat, thank you so much for sharing with us the rich culture of Hunza. I am really touched by the way students perforing folk dance. I can imagine it was a nice cultural show indeed. People of Shimshal are popular all over the world and we are proud of your achievments. I heard that the road to Shimshal was one of the best practices of social philanthropy in Gilgit-Baltistan. Your Nomus system is one of the best system for social and economic uplift. I wonder why don’t we replicate this system in other parts of Gilgit-Baltistan in particular and all over Pakistan in general.
Thnx Ms Nafeesa for your courgment and compliments about the culture and the people of Shimshal valley… We can impliments the educational system all over pakistan but it’s really hard to motivat the people other parts of pakistan..
Dear Shuja,thank you so much for sharing the beautifull,unique and famous culture of shimshal,which shows the unity,mutual understanding and brave socity of hunza gojal.your collection from different directions either its photo or movie ,all you have done is tremendious.
the brief explantion shows how our community are struggling for the betterment of education from start(ECD) Early Child Devlopment,which is the most important part of education missing by our youth.this is the contribution of some well know people like,Mr.Bakhtawar Shah(late), We will always salute for their efferts and achievments.the second project by Mr.Asad Karim which is stll in progress and very soon it will be completed,is the second achievement.we appriciat and thank full to all donors and faithfull co-ordinations.
Very well crafted ! indeed such events should be shared to keep our history alive and encourage young bloods in scientific life style!
good piece of work
thank you
Mirzaw