Sukkur: Students from remote areas of northern Sindh impressed visitors with their outstanding art, culture and science models at a Mega Arts Festival held at the SRSO Complex, said a release issued here on Saturday.
Titled ‘Mega Art Festival 2026’, the festival was organized by the Education Team of the Sindh Rural Support Organization (SRSO) in collaboration with the Government of Sindh and the School Education Department. More than 200 students from over 27 Community Cluster Schools and Education Management Organization (EMO) schools managed by SRSO in four districts, Kashmore-Kandhkot, Shikarpur, Khairpur and Sukkur participated and set up stalls.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) Sukkur, Nadir Shahzad Khan, inaugurated the festival along with Chief Executive Officer of SRSO, Muhammad Dittal Kalhoro.
A large number of teachers, educationists, experts in arts, culture and science, government officials and journalists attended the event, including ADC-I Sukkur Bushra Mansoor, District Education Officer (Higher Secondary) Syed Ghulam Murtaza Shah, and experts from the Arts Council Sukkur and Aror University Sukkur.
Addressing the gathering as chief guest, Deputy Commissioner Nadir Shahzad Khan said that such platforms enhance art and science understanding and confidence among students, especially girls and boys from remote areas like Kandhkot and Shikarpur who had prepared excellent projects.
“Education is the foundation of any society and girls should polish their talents for a bright future. I was delighted to see the passion for arts, culture, science and history among students from remote areas, ” he said.
Appreciating SRSO for organizing the mega event, the Deputy Commissioner said that such festivals should be held regularly.
He said that the working model of SRSO is appreciated not only by the Sukkur administration but by the entire Sindh government. Whenever the district administration needs help during floods, whether it is construction of houses for flood victims, launching campaigns in backward and remote areas or conducting various surveys, SRSO proves to be the best partner, which must be appreciated.
He said that it is generally alleged that rural talent is low, but the command of these secondary school students from remote Sindh over artistic, scientific and historical subjects was amazing.
In his welcome address, CEO SRSO Muhammad Dittal Kalhoro said that SRSO is currently working with 1. 4 million women across Sindh, with one woman from every household as its member.
He said that with the support of the Sindh government, 300, 000 women have been made self-reliant by providing loans and they are now running their households with economic dignity.
He said that praising SRSO means praising the programs and policies of the Sindh government, because SRSO is running with the funding of the Sindh government.
Mr. Kalhoro appealed to the Deputy Commissioner to take special measures for rural women who face difficulties in obtaining bank loans due to documentary requirements and high interest rates, and requested to formulate a policy of easy, interest-free loans for them.
He said that promotion of education is his top personal priority and the education sector of SRSO has always had his full support, because education is the only path to development.
Senior Manager Social Sector SRSO, Nematullah Shaikh, said that the high level of participation is a clear indication that students have a deep interest in highlighting the culture and history of their rural areas as well as in the use of science and engineering.
He said that this festival has reached rural students who generally do not get an opportunity to exhibit their projects, thereby promoting a culture of research and practical learning in arts, culture and geography.
The girl students who had set up stalls also shared their stories and the difficulties they face in remote areas.
The projects displayed by the students included models of Minar-e-Pakistan, Mazar-e-Quaid, Lansdowne Bridge, Mir Masoom Shah Minara, SRSO Complex, rural and urban life, hospitals, pollution control technology for vehicle smoke, solar and wind hybrid system, earthquake alarm, water purification, reflection of light, models of several cities, structure of Sadh Belo Temple and other innovative solutions for climate change.
Three schools won cash prizes for the best projects. The first prize was Rs. 50, 000, the second prize Rs. 35, 000 and the third prize Rs. 25, 000.
Assistant Commissioner (AC) Sukkur Bushra Mansoor and Director Education Sukkur Syed Ghulam Murtaza Shah also addressed the ceremony.
At the end, appreciation certificates were distributed among the participants of all schools, while shields and traditional Ajrak gifts were presented to the chief guest and distinguished guests.
