KARACHI – Dr Nabi Bakhsh Baloch was a complete institution and by carrying out immense research work on Sindhi folk literature, language, culture and education, he made his life exemplary for the younger generation to follow, said Provincial Education Minister Pir Mazhrul Haq.
Speaking as the chief guest at a condolence reference organised by the Sindh Madressatul Islam (SMI) at its Sir Shahnawaz Bhutto Auditorium on Friday, the senior minister said although Sindh had produced great personalities in the field of education like Allama II Kazi, Dr Umar Bin Muhammad Dawoodpoto, Khan Bahadur Ghulam Nabi Qazi and Ghulam Mustafa Shah among others, Baloch was different from all the others because he wrote many volumes on his research, spreading a treasure of knowledge about Sindhi language, folk literature and culture, collected from each and every part of Sindh.
Haq said the great man was born in a remote village of Sanghar district; received his education from the Bombay university, Aligarh university and the USA, and then proved himself to be a great scholar of the 20th century from Sindh.
He urged that the younger generation should go through Baloch’s life and research works and learn lessons from his continuous struggle and great achievements. The provincial senior minister said that the present Sindh government had sought suggestions from the late scholar for forming educational policies, which were accepted and made a part of it.
Similarly, Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto had appointed Baloch as the Sindh University vice chancellor and Shaheed Benazir Bhutto had too got his assistance for the development of education in the country, he added.
Talking about SMI, Haq said the institution has been given under the control of the Sindh government after devolution of the Federal Education Ministry under the 18th amendment.
“However, its status could not be changed and instead it will enjoy autonomous status with no interference from any Sindh government functionary in its matters as this great institution, being the alma mater of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, is a historic institution of Sindh,” he said, adding that the SMI would be run like its past and he had ordered the Provincial Education Ministry that officials should chalk out a comprehensive plan for the SMI with consultations of SMI Principal Dr Muhammad Ali Shaikh.
Haq said the SMI would be given the charter of a university as it is in the interest of the province especially the citizens of Karachi.
Noted educationist Mazharul Haq Siddiqui said that Baloch was a great research scholar of the 20th century and no one could match his works that have left their mark on the sands of time and the leaves of history.
SMI Principal Shaikh said that the institution had to receive the charter of university in 1993 with the efforts of Dr Baloch as he was the provincial education minister at that time but the bill in this regard could not be passed from the Sindh Assembly within the due period.
He added that Baloch had a multi-dimensional personality and a great love for his land and its inhabitants especially for the younger generation.
Distinguished Sindhi poet and intellectual Shamsherul Haideri said the contribution of Baloch in Sindhi folk literature, language and culture was tremendous.
“I worked with him in the Sindhi Adabi Board and found his personality matchless,” he said.
Academy of Letters Resident Director Agha Noor Muhammad Pathan also spoke on the occasion, which was also attended by Mr Essani Education Special Secretary among other prominent personalities.
