TOBA TEK SINGH: The University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) arranged a Gur Mela (jaggery festival) on Friday in which Gur dishes remained the centre of attraction for the visitors at the UAF Heritage Virsa Farm.

UAF Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan, who was flanked by foreign guests, inaugurated the event.

He said such fairs played an important role in exposing the youth to eastern traditions and rural culture.

He said the university was holding a spring festival in March with a special focus on agriculture and rural culture in order to provide a platform for the farming community to discuss with agricultural experts, policymakers, and industry about addressing their issues and agricultural uplift.

Dr Jalal Arif said that the country was blessed with a rich culture and that we should pass on our rich values to the next generation.

Dr Safdar Ali said that the university regularly holds such events that not only highlight our rich culture but also provide recreation to the locals.

Dr Shoukat Ali said thatthe nations that keep their generations connected with their glorious past and traditions set new heights of development.

CONFERENCE: The Government College University of Faisalabad organised an international Urdu conference on Friday in which writers and intellectuals from all over the world participated.

Dean Faculty of Oriental Learning Prof Dr Humayun Abbas Shams, Dr Aykut Kashimer from Ankara University in Turkey, Dr Marghub Hussain Tahir from Osaka University of Japan, Dr Sadaf Naqvi and Dr Nazia Parveen participated.

Speakers held a lively discussion regarding the cultural identity of Urdu.

Dr Marghub spoke on the status of Urdu in Japan.

Dr Aykut Kashimar spoke about Pak-Turkish friendship and the promotion of Urdu in Turkey.

On this occasion, Urdu department head Dr Saeed Ahmed explained the aims and objectives of the conference. He said that Urdu was the fourth largest language spoken not only in Pakistan but also in the world and it is the custodian of our cultural heritage which is recognised globally.