Allama Iqbal Open University organize LIS Professionals Conference

Jumbo Editorial Team

With the theme of “Changing Paradigm of LIS Profession in Pakistan” the department of Library and Information Sciences of the Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) organized their first-ever LIS Professionals Conference in Islamabad on October 19 and 20.

The auditorium of the main campus of the AIOU in the federal capital was the venue of the two-day conference which was attended by around two hundred library and information science professionals from all over the country.

The registration was offered to LIS professionals, educators, scholars and students throughout Pakistan. There were 155 registered delegates from different parts of the country and there was enthusiastic participation of the faculty members and students of the AIOU.

The oral presentations of 12 out of 20 research studies were included in the conference which was based on four academic sessions that included the research papers along with inauguration and closing ceremonies.

The inauguration ceremony was held on October 19 in which Prof. Dr. Nazir Ahmad Sangi, Vice Chancellor, AIOU was the chief guest. After the conference inauguration ceremony, the Vice Chancellor also performed the opening of the book exhibition that was being held on the sidelines of the conference.

The book exhibition was organized in order to facilitate the conference participants and the university faculty, officers and students. The objective of the exhibition, in which stalls were set up by prominent publishers and publishers, was to provide an opportunity to the people to select the material of their own choice and requirements.

Prof. Dr Muhammad Mukhtar, Vice Chancellor, Islamia University, Bahawalpur, was the chief guest in the closing ceremony which was presided over by Prof. Dr. Nazir Ahmed Sangi, Vice Chancellor, AIOU, on October 20.

The hosts AIOU were commended for having taken up the initiative and organized a conference for the community of library and information science professionals.

Belgrade Book Fair 2011 spread over record eight days

Jumbo Editorial Team

The 56th edition of the International Belgrade Book Fair, which concluded on October 30, lasted a record number of eight days. Traditionally it used to be spread over seven days and a day was added to let the book lovers have more time to browse new publications and meet with local and foreign authors.

It is one of the oldest and most important literary events in the Balkan region. It consists primarily of the presentation of domestic and foreign book production and buying and selling of copyrights.

The publishers, booksellers, authors and many others avail the opportunity to make contacts, exchange experiences, do business and achieve cultural cooperation among other things.

The Belgrade Book Fair is reported to be the most visited cultural event in Serbia as people from different walks of life shuttle to find at one place rare or wanted books at special prices but also meet favuorite authors and discover the new ones, attending one of many programmes.

Taking place every autumn in the Balkan’s premier publishing and cultural capital, it is considered a unique opportunity to hear from authors, enjoy the vibrant atmosphere and explore innovations shaping the publishing world of the future.

The Guest of Honour for 2011 was the Portuguese language. In addition to an elaborate exhibition of books in Portuguese, visitors were presented a large number of literary works translated from this language especially for this occasion.

Moreover, many major contemporary authors from Portuguese-speaking countries turned up as the guests of this year's Belgrade Book Fair. In order to further motivate schoolchildren and their families, School Day and the Family Day were also reorganized.

Two musical scores were played at the opening ceremony-This from My Love and Lily Lalauna, composed by Rade Radivojević for the verses written by Ivo Andrić.

The opening ceremony was attended by the Minister of Culture Predrag Marković, former Minister of Culture Nebojša Bradić, City Secretary for Culture Ivana Avžner, the ambassadors of Lusophone countries with embassies and consulates in Belgrade (Angola, Brazil, and Portugal), as well as a large number of writers and other people from cultural circles.

Imran Khan’s Pakistan launched in Islamabad

Jumbo Editorial Team

A book titled ‘Pakistan’ on current and past events of the homeland authored by Imran Khan, a legendary cricketer-turned-politician, was launched in Islamabad on October 20.

Imran, Chairman, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), was praised by all the distinguished speakers for his services in the field of cricket and community service in particular. He was also hailed as a principled politician.

Air Marshal (R) Asghar Khan was the chief guest on the occasion while former Senator and ex-Federal Information Minister, Mushahid Hussain Syed, and a number of other dignitaries were present on the occasion.

Commenting on the narration and contents of the book, the speakers highlighted that Imran had tried to impart a lesson of hope to disappointed youth of the country.
Mushahid Hussain Syed observed that Imran Khan would bring political tsunami in the country by his daring and fearless leadership.

He said that incorrigible optimism was the main theme of the book, which meant for education of tolerance and patience to gloomy youth of the nation. He added that committed leadership like Imran Khan was need of the hour to drag the nation out of the crisis currently confronted by the country.

Addressing the ceremony, Imran said that youth of Pakistan was totally confused and disappointed due to dubious policies followed by different governments. He commented that there was total confusion in policies on terror war.

“Yes we are going through the worst time but it can become the best time as failures are the only way to get success,” Imran added.

“The problem with the Pakistanis is that they get demoralized after any breakdown. Instead they should analyze their failure and develop self belief to counter defeat,” he advised.

Imran disclosed said that he thought of writing a book after the tragic incident of 9/11 which ruined the lives of hundreds of Muslim families. “I do not consider my self as a scholar but after 9/11 incident there is a great confusion among the youngsters about modern and radical Islam,” he observed.

Sharjah International Book Fair from November 16

Jumbo Editorial Team

The Government of Sharjah has granted a total of $300,000 (Dh1.1 million) to the International Book Fair's translation centre during the upcoming book fair.

Speaking at a press conference on October 30, Ahmad Bin Rekadh Al Ameri, Director of Sharjah International Book Fair, pointed out that even though the translation centre is a key feature every year at the book fair, this year is different because in celebration of the 30th edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair, books will be translated not only from Arabic into other languages but vice versa as well.

The Centre for Translation will serve as a platform to provide publishing houses with translation grants, networking and educational programmes.

The 30th edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair is held under the patronage of His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and will run from November 16 to 26.

The fair will also feature a "rights table" on November 14 and 15, where publishers and businesses can discuss proposed grants for rights sold during this event. The ten-day annual book fair is recognized as one of the most significant book fairs in the Middle East and the Arab world, as this year it draws 750 publishers, showcases books from 42 countries, and expects to attract more than 400,000 visitors from both trade and consumer markets.

"A total of 137 UAE publishing houses will participate at the book fair, and all Arab countries except for Libya will be participating," said Al Ameri, who added that the event will feature up to 260,000 titles in various languages.

More than 50 international publishers from more than 16 countries have confirmed their attendance. The programme will also be attended by Arab publishers from across the region keen to build their networks with international publishers. As part of this year's celebration, Saudi Arabia has been invited as the fair's Guest of Honour, and the cultural focus will be on India.

"There will be more than 20 top Indian publishers and there will be a showcase to highlight the presence of ten distinguished authors including Dr Shashi Tharoor, Shobhaa De and Chetan Bhagat,” Al Ameri said.

In addition, this year's book fair will offer a Live Cookery Show 2011 programme that comprises 32 recipes across the world. Some world-renowned authors participating include crime writer Peter James, New York Times best-selling novelist Kate Mosse, and award-winning historian George Goodwin.

Chappell’s latest book also targets Tendulkar

Jumbo Editorial Team

If the bouncer from Shoaib Akhtar was not enough, Greg Chappell has come up with a nasty seaming delivery to target Sachin Tendulkar, considered the greatest batsman in the cricket history.

The Pakistan speedster in his recently launched autobiography ‘Controversially Yours’ had claimed that Tendulkar was scared of facing him while the prolific Australian batsman, who also coached India, in his new book "Fierce Focus", has observed that the Grand Master has occasionally been mentally fragile.

"At one point early in my time with the Indian team he came and talked to me for about two hours," Chappell observed in the book.

"He was frustrated with his form and racked with self-doubt. Since he'd come back in Malaysia (in a one-day tournament in 2006), Sachin's mental state had been surprisingly fragile and he came to me for help," Chappell wrote, apparently referring to a period when Tendulkar was struggling for form, besides also having surgery for tennis elbow.

Chappell, who was sacked a few months back as Australia's national selector apparently after a fall out with senior cricketers, suggested that Tendulkar could have been affected by the weight of expectations.

"When the team travelled, he would snap on his headphones, not look sideways, and shut it all out. Not even Don Bradman carried expectations like this, and Sachin had been bearing it since 1989," Chappell said in the book.

"He just couldn't get any rest. Once we were talking ... and I said, 'You must have so many friends, it must be hard finding time to keep in touch with all of them'. He looked me in the eye and said, 'Greg, you would have more friends in India than I've got'," Chappell said.

Chappell’s tenure as coach of the Indian team was replete with controversies and he was associated in the infamous war of words with Sourav Ganguly who was removed as captain rather unceremoniously.

Significance and role of libraries highlighted in DCL seminar

Jumbo Editorial Team

A seminar on “libraries are catalyst in empowering nations” was held at the auditorium of the Defence Central Library (DCL) on October 22 in which intellectuals and scholars highlighted the significance and role of libraries in creating a progressive, enlightened and civilized society.

The popular figure of Ghazi Salahuddin, the founding Editor of Daily The News International, pointed out that the libraries in general were enriched with treasure of knowledge and played a pivotal role in intellectual development of nations.

He lamented the intellectual crisis being faced by Pakistan as a nation. He expressed his concern with the declining trend of reading books and newspapers in society.

Ghazi Salauddin, whose name has become more familiar in the literary circles with the advent of a television programme on books which he has been doing for the past few years, reminded that reading enriches human experience, develops one’s vision personality and brings a transformation in life.

He opined that a lot was needed to be done to encourage people to read more and get them closer to books. He urged for the measures for arresting the decline in the readership among the masses.

Malahat Kaleem Sherwani, Chairperson, Library & Information Science Department, University of Karachi, reckoned that the development of library culture was essential for the awakening of the nation.

She mentioned that the importance of the libraries was universally accepted and the developed countries in particular laid great emphasis to it.

Iqbal Qureshi, Governor, Rotary District 3271, Sindh & Balochistan, believed that the libraries have greater importance in under-developed countries whose people are not as resourceful as those residing in the developed countries.

The issue of the rapid growth of electronic books and electronic libraries was also taken up during the interactive sessions and it was hoped that Pakistan would catch up with the rest of the world in this field too.

Low turnout mars DHA Central Library’s Book Fair once more

Jumbo Editorial Team

The three-day Book Fair organized at the Central Library DHA, formerly known as the Defence Central Library (DCL), failed to attract the area people despite the efforts of the organizers and the event managers.

Although it was supposed to be the showpiece event in the three days of literary, educational and cultural activities held at the DCL to celebrate 20th Anniversary of its foundation from October 20 to 22, there was very thin attendance at the Book Fair as in the past.

History repeated itself as the inauguration ceremony remained lively and colourful but the intensity and buzz disappeared with the departure of the chief guest.

Originally, Sindh Culture Minister, Sassi Palijo, was to do the honours but in her absence the President of the First Women Bank, Shafqat Sultana, formally inaugurated the Book Fair on October 20.

There were around 20 stalls that awaited book-lovers to visit them but the number of people present there could easily be counted on fingers. The collection of the books on display was pretty decent but the area people continued to abstain from taking the trouble of coming over to the DCL even to have a look at them.

There were books on the subject of literature, philosophy, religion, social sciences besides a big variety of children’s activity books at highly rebated prices but not many people cared to avail the opportunity.

One of the participating booksellers, having vast experience in book trade, didn’t express any surprises at the extremely low turnout on all three days.

“There’s no element of surprise in it. We have become used to it here. The general public in this part of the city doesn’t look interested in it. We have had similar attendance in the past at this venue. It, however, provides an opportunity to touch base with institutions who are potential customers,’ he explained.