Her: BOOKS at SINDHI SAMMELAN & SINDHI FUNCTIONS

[Sonal Ramchandani <Sonalra@AOL.COM>]

To organizers of Sindhi Functions -dear friends,

I am glad to see from various postings that there is consensus on the need to
have books on Sindhi culture at Sammelans and other Sindhi functions. There
is no doubt that such books have a lasting impression to highlight the
cultural knowledge given at such functions, and it would be a pity to have a
cultural function without books.
As one who formerly acted as  Literary Agent for many years in a large,
prestigious organization, and provided books for various cultural bodies for
functions, seminars etc. in various countries, my experience shows that the
following rules should be observed.

1. For well-known, well-reviewed  books, order only one book-title for every
six participants. That is, if the function is to have 300 participants, only
50 books of each title should be ordered. This means that you will not have
too many or too few books - as both are very disappointing.
2. If the demand for the book is more than the availability at the function,
someone should take orders, collect cash or cheque and thereafter, as soon as
possible, mail the book to those who have ordered.
3. As far as possible, free distribution should be avoided. Free distribution
diminishes value of  books, and you may find them in airport dustbins or
highway rest areas.  Not that donors  to pay for bulk purchase of books
should be discouraged. Their donations should be used for sending books to
sister Sindhi organizations, and even  to Sindhi & non Sindhi Libraries which
can serve as a great source for disseminating knowledge of Sindhi culture. In
fact, the advice to every buyer of he book should be  that after reading  the
book,  they should  keep the book for their youngsters or, gift it to the
local Library. How else can knowledge of Sindhi culture grow! Other
communities are smart in propagating their culture. We are smarter than other
communities  in many ways  but not in propagating our culture.
4. As far as possible, concentration at Sindhi functions should be on books
by known authors. Books should be attractive and presentable . Pamphlets may
be avoided from sale. If you are not certain about the contents of a book on
culture (for who knows, it may be only propaganda; or a has a message that
seeks to divide the Sindhis) avoid keeping such a book on display or sale. In
any case, a Sindhi function should not resemble a book-shop, and not too many
titles should be displayed, though the number of each title should be
adequate.
5. Action to order bulk supply of  books should be taken early to save cost.
Preferably the publishers agents are the best source for giving discounts.
(for instance, Thakur Alimchanani’s suggestion for tapping Penguin Agent (
Paramount Books, Mr. Santosh) for 33% or more discount is a good idea.
Anything you save by ordering early and having maximum discount,  lowers the
price of distribution and raises the funds for Sindhi functions.

Certainly, I endorse many who have said that Return of the Aryans by Gidwani,
would be most welcome at such Sindhi functions as I also regard it a superb
book - and a Must-Read for every Sindhi . But I also recall having seen some
messages to/from Nadeem Jamali about books on Sindhi culture by Oxford
University Press in Karachi. I am wondering if a list of  those
titles/subjects/brief write up/ etc. of those books is conveniently
available. (if this information has not already been circulated, could you
copy it   not only to me but also to the Sammelan and later to all future
Sindhi functions).

Cheers,
Sonal Ramchandani