Her: Sindhi Y2K & Sammelan confusion

[Gul Agha <agha@CS.UIUC.EDU>]

> from S. Wadhwani:

Sindhi Netters

        This last month's discussion that Kumar Dudani's has started about
where the sindhi's are headed and the agenda of the two different sindhi
orgainzations with two different conferences, SANA meeting in San Francisco
and the Sindhi samellan in Orlando lead me to the following observations.

        I feel there is a discussion going on simultaneously on
1.  Hindu vs. Muslim and
2.  Older vs. the younger sindhis.

        The way the some of the older generation explains sindhiyat is
because they understand the universalist sufi thought.  To them it does not
matter it is sindh hindu org or muslim org, they will attend the conferences
for the love of participating. But I see the language plays a big part in
understanding the culture.

        But last year there were some young sindhi adults who did not leave
from the samellan with any rich cultural experience, and they felt the org
did not do anything to cater to their needs, it is because of their sparse
understanding of the language.

        I would go to the two meetings to enjoy what they have to offer.  I
understand and speak the language, so I would have fun communicating.  But
for the younger generation that was not brought up in Sindh, or don't know
the language, how can we translate what does sindhiyat should mean to them.
How we can help them understand is beyond me?   If they are really interested
they would take the course at UIUC this summer to learn more, before they
discuss what sindhiyat and culture is.

        Sindhiayat is a feeling, which is nostalgic of the wonderful time
growing up in a sindhi family, with sindhi bhajans, songs, stories and jokes,
pahaaku.  And then to top it with eating the food of that region.  All good
times are always accompanied by the good food.

        Speaking the language is primarily the beginning point of delving
into the cultue.  How many young people don't feel sindhiayat is because of
the loss at words?  Even if they read these verses posted with english
meaning will not understand unless they learned the language and are immersed
in the culture.  Sindhiayat or love of any culture is acquired
by osomosis.

        So if you want to understand and appreciate your culture, start
participating in these gatherings.  It is a beginning point.

        S. Wadhwani