About Bhittaipedia

In this era of Information Technology, the acquisition of knowledge is no longer solely reliant on books or printed materials; rather, it has been augmented by the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI), transforming the process into a multifaceted digital experience. The world is currently undergoing a significant shift, with knowledge rapidly transitioning to online platforms. As a result, a wide array of scientific, literary, technological, folkloric, and societal topics are accessible online. The speed of the internet enables knowledge to traverse the globe without hindrance. Notably, the Western world is in the process of digitizing encyclopedic resources, bringing classical literature into the digital realm. Presently, Wikipedia stands as a substantial hub for accessing information across a multitude of subjects, and it is anticipated that it will soon establish itself as an authoritative source of knowledge on par with Google.

Online platforms of substantial magnitude are operational, hosting a wealth of information from historical luminaries such as Rumi, Shakespeare, Shelley, Keats, Guru Nanak, Kalidas, and contemporary scholars like Allama Iqbal and Tagore. Researchers are reaping significant benefits from these repositories of knowledge.

Regrettably, despite the advancements in technology, the profound works and translations of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai, an eminent philosopher and poet of the Indus Valley Civilization, remain confined to the shelves of various libraries. Online endeavors in this regard have been sparse. A notable effort came from Abdul-Majid Bhurgri, who posted "Shah Jo Risalo" on his personal website. This compilation, originally assembled by Kalyan Advani, was subsequently disseminated across different online platforms.

Although Shah's poetry, known as "GUNJ," has been reproduced by numerous scholars and recorded by various singers, it is predominantly available in physical formats such as CDs, VHS tapes, DVDs, and audio files stored within the Institute of Sindhology's library. This reliance on physical media raises concerns about potential damage from environmental factors like fungus. Researchers are currently grappling with significant challenges in accessing such invaluable resources.

Considering the aforementioned circumstances, it is proposed to launch a project named "Bhittaipedia," overseen by the Abdul-Majid Bhurgri Institute of Language Engineering, the legitimate domain for this endeavor.

Aims and Objectives of Bhittaipedia:

1. Safeguard the entirety of "Shah Jo Risalo," encompassing textual, audio, and video formats, while also facilitating lexical research and collating available books for online access. This will aid researchers in comprehending the poetry of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai.
2. Broaden the reach of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai's message to billions across the globe, translated into various languages using Artificial Intelligence (AI) language models.
3. Employ Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology to ensure that the message of "Shah Jo Risalo" remains easily accessible for our future generations.
4. Offer lexical and conceptual resources from Shah Jo Risalo as Open-Source material, contributing to Sindhi language utilization, Bhittai's message, and the folk wisdom of the Indus Valley Civilization in the realm of Robotics engineering.

Methodology:

The Bhittaipedia Project will secure funding from the Department of Culture, Tourism, Antiquities & Archives – Government of Sindh and will be developed under the newly established Abdul-Majid Bhurgri Institute of Language Engineering. The institute will aggregate data related to Shah Jo Risalo from relevant institutions and departments.

The following model and framework will be adopted:

1. All renditions of Shah Jo Risalo will be digitally recomposed and made accessible online in text format, complete with a word-by-word dictionary function.
2. Translations will be collated and placed online at appropriate locations after the composition process.
3. Audio and video recordings will be stored on cloud platforms.
4. Research, books, essays, and articles by diverse scholars and writers will be categorized and made available online.
5. Verse-wise audio narration will enhance phonetic comprehension of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai's works.
6. A dedicated Gunj Font and Keyboard layout will be devised to facilitate the recomposition of the original Gunj Sharif, available online in a text-based format.
7. Any prospective ideas that contribute to achieving this monumental task will be integrated into the project.

Outcome:

Beyond facilitating global access to and understanding of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai's message, this project is anticipated to:

1. Perpetually preserve materials related to Sindhi Literature, particularly Latifiat, benefiting future generations.
2. Provide a resourceful platform for researchers exploring Eastern Classical Literature, Poetry, Sufism, spirituality, peace, and interfaith harmony.
3. Elevate the global prominence of the Sindhi language.