KARACHI: Autobiography by a trade unionist launched
By Our Staff Reporter
KARACHI, Nov 16: Speakers at the launching ceremony of an autobiography by a former trade union activist, Ali Amjad, lauded the role of the author for being a frontline leader in the Marxist movement in the sub-continent, and for raising voice for the rights of the labour class.
Organized by the Irtiqa Institute of Social Sciences at the Arts Council of Pakistan on Wednesday, the speakers noted that Ali Amjad’s book, “Shakh-i-Nihal-i-Gham, was an important account of communist and left wing activities which prevailed in India and in Pakistan somehow.
The book, though a life history, was also considered as a social document, focussing issues and perceptions relating to grass-root level movements and major political developments. Mr Ali Amjad, is already an author of a couple of books, including a novel.
Dr Jaffer Ahmad said that the book was a valuable collection of personal observations and actions of a dedicated worker and it could surely prove a source of solace to Mr Ali Amjad after a long spell of service to humanity as a progressive political activist, trade unionist and legal expert in labour affairs.
The books gave an insight of the important phases of Communist Party of India, which would prove worthy for scholars, politicians, workers and students of political science. He remarked that the writer had been unable to give any in-depth account of his activities and observations after his migration to Pakistan.
President of High court Bar Association, Akhter Hussain, said that the book covered the life of the author, but at the same time provided answers to many questions related to movements, organizations and ideologies, including the Marxists theory, which were followed or opposed in the Indo-Pak and other developing countries.
He said Ali Amjad after coming to Pakistan did worthy job in the context of labour laws and he is considered an important name of the legal fraternity.
He fought and won many cases in favour of labours and workers, he added.
Senior journalist Salim Asmi said communist thought had a great impact in India and that was why a number of books were written in different languages. However, this latest book in Urdu is unique in the sense that the author avoided any philosophical approach in his presentation and preferred to discuss the things as a grass-root level observer.
Prof S M Nasir in his presidential address said Ali Amjad remained a dedicated left wing activist for 27 years. He joined communist party and had to go in jails many times in India, but never lost heart and kept working for Marxism.
Shahkh-i-Nihal-i-Gham is not only a life-story but a history of his era, which can also be held as a social document covering the evolution and development of communist party and the then politics of India, he added.
In his remarks, the author said that he was already working on the English version of the book and would try to include his observations and activities in the context of Pakistan in it. He mentioned that he worked with a commitment throughout his life and it was great that people recognized that.
