PESHAWAR: Speakers at a cultural event held here the other day asked youth to volunteer their services to change lives of communities through engaging in positive activities, adding literary and cultural activities would help transform the impressionistic minds of young people for a better future of masses and the country at large. A select-gathering of literati, youth activists, aficionados and music-buffs attended the event. The event titled ‘Sham-i-Ghazal’ was arranged under the joint banner of IDEA School of Art (ISA), a not-for-profit organisation and Dust on Books, a private publication house, here with the main purpose to instill the spirit of participation among youth in healthy activities, volunteering services for promoting the cause of peace, harmony and social cohesion. Hanif Daryab, coordinator of ISA, while chairing the event pointed out that his organisation was committed to uplift underprivileged communities through participatory approach and research with engaging youth across KP and merged tribal districts to work for the welfare of the society. In addition to kid’s activities including music, painting, pottery, physical fitness on weekends, the ISA also arranged events for youth to motive them for volunteering their spare time and talent for a societal change, Mr Daryab added. Ali Hoti, sports director at Islamia College University (ICU) while addressing as chief guest on the occasion said a plethora of activities including sports, art, culture and social welfare services provided a platform to youth to exhibit their talent for a cause that not only equipped them with a vision but also with a spirit to contribute to society. Obaidullah Khan, CEO of Dust on Books publication house, a not-for-profit initiative, shed light on the main features of the publication house saying it conducted a large number of literary activities including study circles, intellectual debates book fairs and book launches creating a conducive environment for youth. He said more than a dozen new titles were published on a wide range of topics and sold out to youth to widen their mental scope. Mamoonur Rashid, a young student of English literature from district Malakand, while sharing his views observed that the youth of today were unfortunately fallen prey to a number of negative deeds owing to uncertain future, unemployment and frustration, adding, such events and platforms could help motivate to channelise their strength in a fruitful manner. Later, a musical concert was arranged in which folk artists Adven Yousaf, Khan Agha Besudi and Shiraz Ustad performed and garnered a thunderous applause from the audience. The folk artists presented popular numbers of Urdu and Pashto poets -- Nasir Kazmi, Faiz Ahmad Faiz, Ghani Khan and Ajmal Khattak.