MITHI: A compilation of the literary works and published articles by known journalist, social worker, writer and poet of Tharparkar Prem Shivani was launched at a well-attended ceremony held in Malhan Har Veena village near here on Sunday evening.

Speakers including chieftain of the Sodha community and a former member of the Sindh Assembly Rana Hamir Singh and a number of local literary figures and journalists appreciated the relentless efforts by Shivani to draw world’s attention to Thar — a region chronically hit by droughts for decades.

They observed that Shivani, who also served as Dawn’s correspondent at Mithi for a long period of time, devoted his entire life to the cause of Tharis by highlighting the local population’s plight through his write-ups and poetry as well as social welfare activities.

Ex-MPA Sindh observed that the book Hu Ja Kolhan Kar-ri truly reflected Shivani’s sentimental attachment with the people of Thar and encompasses the issues and feelings of the families hit by unending miseries brought to them by droughts, poverty and unavailability of essentials of life, including education and health facilities and basic amenities within or even far away from their area of residence.

A pretty good idea of the time period devoted by Shivani was that some of the write-ups published in the book were authored more than 40 years ago, he noted.

He said Shivani was a man of principle who always preached interfaith harmony.

A local journalist, Khatau Jani, said that book’s contents highlighted all genuine issues being faced by Thar and its population. He said that Shivani’s literary and journalistic works focused on not only on Tharis’ miseries but also on their culture and lifestyle as well as the history and beauty of the desert region. He said the literary figures and journalists of Thar must accomplish the mission started by Shivani with his pen.

Kirshan Sharma and Dr Ashok Bakhtani described the book as a document on the natural calamity and the trail of death and destruction it unleashed on Thar over the past four decades.

A large number of social and political activists paid homage to Shivani for his contribution to literature and the cause of Thari people.

Former Thar deputy commissioner and writer Abdul Qadir Mangi said that the late Shivani lived and died for the people of Thar and left a huge asset for his admirers in the shape of the book and unpublished works to remember him.

He said Shivani’s services could not be forgotten by the present and coming generations.

He said Shivani was a simple and honest person whose efforts and works made him a role model for those working for the uplift of this backward region.

Well-known writer Taj Joyo said Shivani demonstrated unquestionable honesty and commitment in his life-long struggle for the well-being of Thar and its people.

Writer and social activist Prof Noor Ahmed Jhanji, poet Khalil Kumbhar, historian and poet ali dost Ajiz, Advocate Rai Singh Sodho, Nand Lal, Ali Akber Rahimoon, Bansi Malhi and others also paid homage to Shivani and appreciated his literary works and professional efforts.

Arbab Nek Mohammed urged Shivani’s elder son, Piyaro Shivani, to lead local journalists and literati in carrying forward his father’s mission.

Piyaro Shivani, himself a poet, told the audience that he would feel pride in following in the steps of his father. He said he intended to get more of his father’s works published. Later, speaking to local journalists at the residence of late singer Sadiq Fakeer, he said he was seriously considering to return to Pakistan and carry forward his father’s mission. Piyaro Shivani along with his family had migrated to Indian some two years back for some personal reasons.

Published in Dawn September 20th, 2016