BM Kutty’s efforts for social, economic development lauded

Political leaders, historians, intellectuals, lawyers, trade union leaders, writers, journalists, social activists and workers paid rich tributes to BM Kutty for his services in national politics and for the social development sector of Pakistan.
They were speaking at a function to honour veteran political activist Biyyathil Mohyuddin Kutty, famously known as BM Kutty, organised by the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) at the PMA House here on Thursday evening.
BM Kutty started his political life in the 1940s as an active member of the Kerala Students Federation. He later moved on as a political activist and remained associated with the National Awami Party (NAP), the National Democratic Party and the Pakistan National Party. He served as Political Secretary of former Governor of Balochistan, Mir Ghaus Bukhsh Bizenjo.
He also worked as Secretary General of the Movement for Restoration of Democracy. A committed advocate of labour rights, Kutty helped establish and led the Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research (PILER). He is an active member of regional peace movements and is currently forwarding the peace agenda through the Pakistan Peace Coalition (PPC) with which he is associated as secretary general.
In his welcome remarks, President Pakistan Medical Association Dr. Tipu Sultan appreciated the efforts of Kutty. He said that the Pakistani society needs to break out of the tradition to honour the society’s heroes after their deaths. “People should be honoured during their lifetime and their message needs to be communicated to a broader section of the society within their lives.”
President, National Party former Senator Dr Abdul Malik appreciated the services of Kutty for the people of Balochistan and said he is well known in the political circles of the province since the 1970s. He said that Mr Kutty’s autobiography, “Sixty Years in Self Exile: No Regrets” offers an informed perspective on Balochistan and the province needs more such intellectuals to communicate the true picture of the neglected province to the rest of the country.
Noted historian Dr. Mubarak Ali said that in history, people who have challenged the powerful structures have faced dire consequences and every effort has been made to suppress their voice. But it is also a fact that such struggles cannot be suppressed and the history’s process makes the message public.
Visiting journalist from India, Jawed Naqvi who is the Bureau Chief of daily Dawn in New Delhi appreciated the services of Mr. Kutty for peace between India and Pakistan. He said people of both the countries have suffered at the hands of wealthy rulers. He cautioned however, that the peace process should be approached as an independent proposition and it is important to separate it from the interest of the business and military powers that see peace as a means to promote their commercial interests.