Gandhara preservation discussed at PU

Staff Report

LAHORE: There is a dire need to bring the national and foreign
scholars together under one roof and assess the role Gandhara played
in disseminating as well as assimilating new ideas, themes,
techniques and beliefs in the filed of art and architecture in light
of latest research. This was expressed by Punjab University Vice-
Chancellor Arshad Mahmood while addressing the inaugural ceremony of
the three-day international conference `Gandhara at the Crossroads of
Civilisations - Art and Architecture', on Tuesday. The conference was
arranged by the PU Department of Archaeology in collaboration with
the Higher Education Commission. It was held at Dr Pervaiz Hassan
Environmental Law Centre.

The VC emphasised the preservation of the culture heritage of
Pakistan with special attention given to monuments/sculptures and
pieces of art from Gandhara region. He said that PU has already
signed various MoUs with foreign universities for joint field
expeditions and training programmes. He said that an MoU between the
Research Institute for Humanity and Nature at Kyoto, Japan, has also
been signed. This was to make possible joint expedition, excavations
and conservations programmes in the Cholistan Desert.

Earlier, Department of Archaeology chairman Dr Farzand Masih
presented a welcome address which stated the purpose of the
conference. Dr Jonathan Mark Kenoyer from Wisconsin, USA and
Professor Farid Khan of Peshawar University presented their keynote
addresses and highlighted the significance of Gandhara in the
development of religious art. The inaugural ceremony was followed by
seven technical sessions in which scholars from USA, Canada, Japan,
Iran and India presented their latest researches on the various
aspects of Gandhara.

PU fun fair: The PU VC also visited the weeklong Fun Fair organised
by Punjab University College of Pharmacy at the Old Campus. Stalls of
Pharmacy, Health Club, First Aid Club, industrial units, Nervous
system, along with stalls of flowers were set up by college students.

An Iqbal Gallery was also arranged in which the pictures of Allama
Muhammad Iqbal were placed. The vice-chancellor said that these
activities promoted creativity. He announced a cash prize of Rs 5,000
for the best stall.

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