Fund for needy artists
IT is heartening to know that the Punjab government has, at last, set up an ‘artists support fund’ with the explicit objective to provide financial help for the welfare and support of the families of artists.
According to media reports, a sum of Rs50 million has been earmarked for providing financial assistance to such families.
In India, many proactive steps have been taken to provide aid and support to artists facing financial problems. However, artists have always been neglected in Pakistan.
The step by the Punjab government is in the right direction. It will help our artists, writers and poets who usually spend a miserable life because of poverty.
Regretfully, the attitude of civil society and government bodies towards these intellectual assets of society remain pathetic. Owing to this apathy our artists die in miserable conditions.
Recently, Murtaza Hassan, better known as Mastana, and Babbu Baral died in abject poverty in their native districts.
It is very painful to think that Romana, Nimmi, Zakir Ali Khan, Sudhir, Mazhar Shah, Pervaiz Mehdi, Roohi Bano, Jaggi Malik and Adeeb suffered a lot in their later years of life.
It is heartrending that a few days before her death Romana was seen begging in the streets of Lahore and at the railway station as she had no source of income to survive. She reportedly died of starvation.
Owing to lack of societal support, artists do not earn much during their professional career in Pakistan. By the time old age sets in, they have little savings for sustenance or comprehensive health insurance.
It is hoped that this fund will give financial support to the artists in need. It is also expected that they will also be provided medical facility to pass their old age with a peace of mind.
QUDRAT ULLAH
Lahore
Source: Dawn
Date:7/29/2011
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