Sindh Graduates Association Islamabad branch paid rich tributes to legendary writer, intellectual and left-wing thinker Comrade Sobho Gianchandani, who died last week at the age of 94.
A condolence reference was arranged by SGA at Shah Abdul Lateef Community Centre, where renowned writers, intellectuals and rights activists termed the demise of Comrade Sobho Gianchandani as greatest losses of recent times for the Sub-Continent. The speakers said that Comrade Sobho was an undeterred believer of rights of people who not only participated in struggle against British colonial rule but also kept raising his voice for people of Pakistan all his life.
Comrade Gianchandani was the first non-Muslim and non-Urdu recipient of the Kamal-e-Fun Award – a top literary award given to writers in the field of literature.
Speaking on the occasion, writer, poet and intellectual Ashfaq Saleem Mirza, said that young generations need to learn from the teachings of people like Comrade Sobho and they need to examine the objective realities of society in which a real change can take place. “Comrade Sobho supported the struggle for creation of Pakistan even as a member of Communist Party as it was in line with the decision made by his party at senior level” he said.
Leading human rights activist Tahira Abdullah in her remarks said that she was proud to participate in last birthday of Comrade Sobho’s life and enjoyed her discussion via Skype. “He was a man of unprecedented qualities who was not only leading in political movements but also contributed to literature including writing poetry, short stories and other forms of literature” she said. Tahira said Comrade Sobho was always victim of oppressed regimes who put him either behind bars, Lahore Forte or kept him under house arrest due to his commitment and unconditional support for oppressed.
Professor Amanullah Memon said that Comrade Sobho went through troubling personal life and losses but his personal problems could never take over his commitment with people and struggle for them. Professor Memon who comes from Larkana, the native town of Sobho presented account of his personal life and how he was one of the most humble men he has ever seen.
SGA Islamabad President Muhammad Yousif Memon said that SGA is proud of living and deceased legends of Sindh and it will continue to provide a forum where services of legendary figures of Pakistan could be celebrated. He said Shantiniketan College in West Bengal, India, Rabindranath Tagore used to call him “A man from Moen Jo Daro” because of his village, located near this historical site, which is widely recognised as ancient Indus Valley Civilisation metropolis.
Other speakers included Nazar Memon, Kapil Dev, Niaz Nadeem, Hakim Buriro and Gul Sindhi.