GUJRAT - We need to change our attitudes for our social awakening and communal development, said University of Gujrat Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Mohammad Nizamuddin at a ceremony organised to give away prizes to winners of the PUKKAR 2011 competition.
The PUKAR 2011 was organised by the Odeum Arts Society in collaboration with the SUNGI.
In his address, the vice-chancellor said that the youth must be brought closer to the spirit of the age by showing fidelity to realities and facts on the ground.
“As a platform for deliberations and brain-storming over national issues, the UOG has always played and would continue playing a key role as an active training institution,” he said.   “I congratulate the winners of the designing and speech contests.” The VC thanked SUNGI Director Asadur Rehman, HR Manager Arifa Mazhar, their team and the art society for holding a vibrant and inspiring exercise.
The vice-chancellor also appreciated students for their laudable performance. The show will remain in the pleasant memory of students for years to come. Asadur Rehman appreciated the UOG as an ideal campus, saying “here the visionary leadership is inculcating socially-needed skills and talents which match the latest technology and post-modern thoughts. The UOG is really a very praiseworthy institution.”
Ghafar Mohiyuddin on behalf of the Odeum Art Society and Dr Fouzia Maqsood, Arifa Mazhar also addressed the gathering.
Later, a play directed by Ghafar Mohiyudding “Pukkar” was staged. Sufian Alam, Sheikh Usman, Naeem Butt, M Ali, Alnisa Baig, Zain Bhatti, Aleena, Saadia Sagheer, Nauman, Asim Rifaqat, Bilal Afzal, Rameez and their peers presented the thematic of a forced marriage in the play, which was wonderfully applauded and appreciated.
Prof Syed Shabber Hussain Shah, Prof Sheikh Abdul Rasheed and Arifa Mazhar were the judges of the competitions.
Many dignitaries and notables, including Dr Fouzia Maqsood, Shahid Minhas, Madam Azra Ghani, Col (r) Muqadas Hashmi, Sidra Maqsood, Dr Zahoor Ahmed, Sarfraz Ahmed, Tanveer Ahmed, Faisal Iqbal, Haroon Habeeb, Ms Hoveda Mirza, Saqab Rasheed, Hasan Raza attended the event.
In speech contests, Sidra Maqbool of the Department of English clinched first prize, whereas Naima Zaki of the Department of Mass Communication won second prize.