HYDRABAD: Students and teachers of Sindh University celebrated Sindhi culture day with great zeal and enthusiasm on Thursday by organising various programmes, showcasing traditions and cultural heritage of Sindh. The university’s vice chancellor, Prof Dr Mohammad Siddique Kalhoro, who spoke at the programs in Institute of Physics, Faculty of Engineering & Technology and Institute of Business Administration, emphasised importance of preserving language, culture and identity. “Our culture defines our identity. It is our duty to protect and promote it. Events like these strengthen our connection to our roots,” he said. He said that culture day was not an annual celebration but a reminder of deep-rooted heritage and identity. Sindhi language, traditions and cultural values were distinct marks that defined who Sindhis were as a people and it was their collective responsibility to preserve and promote them for future generations, said the VC. He said that universities were not only centres of learning but also custodians of cultural heritage. “Events like these connect us to our roots and instill a sense of pride in identity,” he said. He said that students’ participation in these programs demonstrated their love for Sindh, its glorious culture and Pakistan. Education was cornerstone of progress and providing scholarships was one of the most impactful ways to empower students and facilitate their academic journey, he said. He highlighted the university’s commitment to supporting deserving and talented students and said the university had distributed scholarships amounting to Rs850m during his tenure of four years. He said this unprecedented initiative transformed lives of countless students. He would continue to strive for more opportunities to support SU students, ensuring that no deserving individual was deprived of quality education due to financial constraints, he said. “Sindh University is a microcosm of Pakistan’s diversity where students from various ethnic and cultural backgrounds come together to learn and grow. “Through such events, we celebrate rich tapestry of our culture while fostering a sense of unity and shared identity in students,” he said. He said that SU always highlighted traditions, languages and values of different communities. “We are not promoting cultural awareness but strengthening bonds that unite us as Pakistanis. Such events are a testament to harmony and solidarity we uphold in the institution,” he said. Department of International Relations organised its cultural event with theme “Cultural Reflections of Pakistan” in which all teachers and students took part. The department’s chairperson, Prof Dr Ishrat Abbasi, addressed the audience and said students from nearly all ethnicities and communities in Pakistan were studying in her department. She said the department aimed to present a blended reflection of Pakistani cultures. Its objective was to showcase unity and solidarity with the country and it featured student performances including speeches, poetry recitations, dance tableaux and stalls showcasing various games, she said. The VC was accompanied by registrar Prof Dr Mushtaq Ali Jariko, deputy registrar Nadeem Butt and other officials.