Pakistan Hindu Council reviews progress on Minorities Heritage Photo Contest

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published January 17, 2023

KARACHI-Under the chairmanship of Dr. Ramesh Kumar Vankwani, Patron-in-Chief of Pakistan Hindu Council, the year's first meeting of its managing committee discussed various matters, including the ongoing Minorities Heritage Photo Contest.

While expressing satisfaction over the recently-held successful annual mass marriages for the 16th consecutive year, the members reviewed the progress of the photo contest.

Secretary General Prashotam Ramani, Advisor Raja Asarmal Mangalani, Joint Secretary Paman Lal, Roop Mala, MPA Mangala Sharma, Bharat Kumar Mangalani, Vikram Rathi, Roshan Lal, and other members were also present.

Dr. Vankwani stated that the nationwide photo contest, with the collaboration of the Press Network of Pakistan, aims to explore, honor, and highlight various sacred ancient religious sites across the country. "The message of inter-faith harmony and peaceful co-existence is being delivered through the active participation of Pakistani citizens, especially university students and people of various faiths," he said.

Chief Coordinator Kirshan Sagar told the meeting that a nationwide photo competition was announced in December to identify non-Muslim holy places across the country. "In a short period of one month, an amazing  positive response has been given by the citizens of Pakistan," he said, emphasizing that more than 500 photos of Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, Jain, Parsi, and other non-Muslim religious places have been submitted in the photo competition so far.
 
He further informed that 167 photos had been shortlisted, with 43 percent photos of Hindu heritage places of worship. The statistics reveal that about 24 percent of the contestants are females.

Based on submissions for the photo contest, 60 percent of the holy places of the non-Muslim minority community are in their original condition. Another 13 percent are not in use, with 7 percent converted into educational institutions, 10 percent used for residential and commercial purposes, and 1.2 percent transformed into government offices.
 
Dr. Vankwani, while lauding the efforts to manage the photo contest smoothly,  said that the land of present-day Pakistan has thousands of years of ancient history and is full of hidden architectural wonders and unique sites that make up part of our rich heritage. According to him, promoting religious tourism has enormous potential to free Pakistan from external debt and strengthen the national economy. "The first step to protect the sacred sites across the country was about awareness," he stated, adding, "I am glad that the Pakistan Hindu Council has taken the first step in the right direction."

The managing committee members appreciated the participants' efforts in providing the best photos. According to them, more steps will be taken in the future, including online Dharmik quizzes, which will give the country a positive image to the international community.

The last date for participation in the photo competition being held with technical support by the Press Network of Pakistan is January 31, 2023. The contestants submitting outstanding photos will be awarded prizes of Rs50k, 30k, and 20k in addition to special prizes and certificates of appreciation.

Pakistan Hindu Council has asked Pakistan citizens, especially journalists and students, to participate in this photo competition actively.

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