Endangered languages in Pakistan

I just watched a short but shocking report by Aljazeera television highlighting the plight of 6900 contemporary languages that are under threat and might disappear in the next 90 years. It was, however, good to find out about this worthy project (http://www.endangeredlanguages.com/) that is attempting to record as many of these endangered languages as possible before they disappear

The Endangered Languages Project, is an online resource to record, access, and share samples of and research on endangered languages, as well as to share advice and best practices for those working to document or strengthen languages under threat.

It doesn't come as a surprise to me that some of the languages listed under the project come from regions (mostly North Western) in Pakistan including Balti (308,800 speakers world wide), Ormuri (1050 speakers worldwide), Torwali (60,000 speakers), Bateri (29,100 speakers), Ushojo (500 speakers), Kalasha (5030 speakers), Kalami (1500 speakers), Wakhi (5000 speakers), Dameli (5000 speakers), Phalura (10,000 speakers), Khowar (222,800 speakers), and Yidgha (5150 speakers).

I hadn't heard of many of these languages before. The project is open for partnerships and offers good resources and helpful advice on how these languages under threat can be recorded before they disappear. At the moment I don't see any Pakistani organisation or group among the partners. Does anyone know of similar work being done by any other international or Pakistani organisation to save or record the endangered languages in Pakistan?

13 year old video maker covers the Diamond Jubilee garden party by International Foundation for Mother and Child Health (IFMCH)

A 13 year old student of Altrincham Grammar School, Simal Asher produced this short video coverage of the Diamond Jubilee garden party celebrations hosted by International Foundation for Mother and Child Health (IFMCH) on Monday 04 June 2012. Using an iPhone4 Simal Asher produced, directed and did the screen play of this video.

Enjoy!

Diamond Jubilee Celebrations Pakistani Style by IFMCH (International Foundation for Mother and Child Health) in Altrincham

It was apt that for the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations last weekend even the English weather decided to stick to its tradition of being entirely unpredictable and offered all sorts of variations that it could muster up. Muslim community of Pakistani heritage in Altrincham, Hale and surrounding areas were dealt a better hand with the sun shining all day, temperatures rising to an enjoyable level and winds slowing down to make Monday 04th June a perfect day for a garden party.

In a typical Pakistani style we did not plan well in advance, that resulted in it becoming too late to get a street closed for a street party. But there was no stoping us from celebrating the Queen's Diamond Jubilee at a garden party.

Dr Faeza Khan, the hostess with the mostess, and Vice Chairperson of the local charity International Foundation for Mother and Child Health, offered gardens of IFMCH office at 185 Grove Lane in Hale as the venue for what turned out to be an excellent Diamond Jubilee Celebrations party.

Big difference from an average street party from around the country was sheer abundance of Pakistani food contributed by each family joining the party. Woman heads of each house went out of the way to bring out their best in culinary delights. It was great to see a number of neighbours and friends from non-Pakistani heritage joining in the festivities.

Simal Asher, a young student from Altrincham Grammar Girls High School was our roving reporter interviewing participants and recording fun and festivities using her iPhone.

Highlight of the day was when cutting the cake it appeared that out of over 150 people of English and various other ethnic backgrounds there was only one Pakistani child who remembered all the verses of God Save the Queen.

Stop! make yourself accountable please! What's your business on this blog?

A hilarious take on UK's CCTV culture. A very poignant user comment on YouTube summarises the message aptly.

We live in a free country. Just as long as you don't actually use your freedom or anything. Because you have to have a reason to do everything. And not only do you have to have a reason to do everything, but the government has to know that reason at all times. I don't see how this ISN'T 1984.

Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy wins an Oscar for Pakistan

There are not many occasions for Pakistanis to feel real pride - this is one of those beautiful proud moments watching Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy lift the coveted Oscars statue along with Daniel Junge for "Saving Face' in Short Documentary category at the Academy Awards 2012.

A touching film about a topic that not many want to talk about in Pakistan. More than a 100 woman every year suffer the humiliation of acid attacks mostly in the name of Honour. The women’s “bravery and resilience in the face of adversity inspires me every single day,” Sharmeen said. “They are the true heroes of Pakistan.” 

Pakistan is proud today.

Oscars Night: Rooting for "Saving Face" and Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy

“The single act of throwing acid on a woman’s face completely ruins her life. It’s like the living dead, because if you throw acid on a woman’s face, she can seldom go home after that. To me, it’s the most heinous of all crimes against women.”

Says Pakistani filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy whose documentary 'Saving Face" is nominated for an Academy Award under the category of Short Documentary.

Watch trailer of the documentary

Sharmeen is aleady a winner of prestigious Livingston Award for Young Journalists (first non-American to have won), Overseas Press Club Award, the South Asia Journalist Association Award, the CINE Golden Eagle Award, as well as an Emmy Award in 2010 for Pakistan: Children of the Taliban.

Describing the biggest challenge faced by her in making of this film Sharmeen said

Although my crew and I did not face any physical danger, we did have to struggle against a mindset that accepted such extreme forms of violence in Pakistan. The Seraiki Belt, a cotton growing in the province of Punjab, has some of the lowest levels of education and highest levels of poverty in Pakistan. Prevailing mindset violence against women is acceptable. Difficult to work with such people. 

Pakistan is rooting for Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy at the Oscars tonight.