Balochistan Kitab Karwan: Reviving the Culture of Reading in Balochistan:-
By: Younus Rasool
In a region where education has long faced neglect, the Baloch Students Action Committee (BSAC) is spearheading a movement to revive the culture of reading through its campaign, Balochistan Kitab Karwan. This initiative symbolizes a journey toward enlightenment and progress, with books serving as the driving force for societal transformation towards betterment.
The term “Kitab Karwan,” meaning book caravan, reflects the essence of the campaign, which spreads knowledge across different districts in Balochistan. The campaign involves setting up bookstalls that provide students and the masses with access to literature they might not otherwise encounter.
Through this initiative, BSAC aims to combat the educational challenges that Baloch students face, such as the lack of libraries, poorly functioning schools, and a weak academic infrastructure. Moreover, beyond promoting literacy, the Kitab Karwan embodies a broader mission of fostering critical thinking and intellectual freedom among Baloch youth.
The campaign encourages students to see education not merely as a means to employment but as a way for empowerment and self-awareness. It challenges unwanted societal norms that undervalue education and highlights the transformative power of knowledge.
Furthermore, As BSAC continues its journey, the Kitab Karwan serves as a beacon of hope, illustrating that with education, and the Baloch nation can overcome barriers and pave the way for a brighter future. This movement is more than just about books; it’s about building a society driven by educated, conscious individuals ready to shape not only their destiny but the society also.
In a time when education in Balochistan faces hurdles and challenges, the Baloch Students Action Committee (BSAC) has taken a commendable step by launching the Balochistan Kitab Karwan campaign. This initiative aims to address the region’s educational crisis by promoting literacy and fostering a culture of reading among the youth.
Although, it goes beyond distributing books, aiming to spark intellectual curiosity and empower young minds to envision a better nationwide future. The journey of the Kitab Karwan has reached various towns and districts, including Kech, Gwadar, Panjgur, Quetta, Mastung, DG Khan and its nearby, Taunsa, Barkhan, Kohlu, Bolan, Naseerabad and nearby areas, Kharan, Chaghi, Sibbi, Nushki, Hubchowki, and other areas of Baloch in Karachi.
In each place, members of BSAC have set up bookstalls offering books on Baloch history, politics, literature, philosophy, and also books and magazines for children, such as “Gaam,” and a newly published book, “Computer e Pajjar” (Introduction to Computer), often in English, Urdu, Balochi, and Brahui languages.
The campaign encourages Baloch youth to reconnect with their cultural roots through reading and learning in their mother tongues, an essential step toward preserving their identity, culture, heritage, and history.
Seemingly, one of the unique aspects of this campaign is its emphasis on self-reliance and grassroots activism. BSAC has consistently highlighted the role of education in fighting social injustices, particularly in marginalized regions like Balochistan.
The Kitab Karwan promotes the idea that education is not a luxury but a fundamental right that can bring long-term change to a nation, which BSAC believes. However, the campaign has also faced obstacles, including harassment by authorities and district administration, who often take student activism as a threat. Notwithstanding these challenges, the BSAC remains steadfast in its campaign, proving that education and knowledge are powerful tools to overcome oppression and marginalization.
I, in assuming assert that the campaign is more than just a series of bookstalls; it’s a symbol of hope and progress, a movement that believes in the power of books to transform individuals and communities. As the BSAC continues its journey, it inspires the Baloch youth to take charge of their future through education, critical thinking, and a lifelong commitment to learning.
In a land where oppression has stifled the voices of its people for decades, the Baloch Students Action Committee (BSAC) is making available a movement that aims to empower the Baloch nation through knowledge. The campaign stands as a symbol of resistance against decades of neglect, injustice, and systematic efforts to suppress the identity of the Baloch.
Where reading books, keeping books in homes, or holding a book in hand was thought to be threatening or more than a crime, through books and education, BSAC is building a nationalist movement rooted in intellectual awakening and cultural preservation.
The Kitab Karwan, meaning the journey of books, is more than just a campaign to promote reading; it is a political campaign. It declares that the Baloch nation will no longer be kept in a state of darkness. By promoting literature, history, and philosophy, the organization aims to reawaken the Baloch youth after decades, instilling a sense of national pride and historical awareness.
In the end, I believe that through this movement, young Baloch are being reminded of their rich cultural heritage, national heroes, and glorious past, while also recognizing their role in shaping a better future for their people.
