HYDERABAD, Feb 8: Eminent scholars, writers and intellectuals have paid tribute to noted writer and social activist late Mohammad Usman Diplai for his services rendered to the Sindhi language and literature and his struggle for the promotion of education in Sindh.

They were speaking at a gathering held at the Sindhi Language Authority auditorium here on Tuesday to mark 31st death anniversary of the scholar. The function was jointly organised by Mohammad Usman Diplai Trust and the authority.

The speakers said that the late scholar was a great thinker and reformer of the 20th century who had launched a relentless struggle for the promotion of education in the province.

Noted intellectual and Awami Tehrik leader Rasool Bux Palijo said that Mr Diplai had shown the way to modern education when Sindh was in dire need for it.

He said that Usman Diplai struggled for the promotion of education when Sindh was in the stranglehold of feudal lords and pirs.

He said all out efforts should be made to eliminate terrorism from the province and the government should concentrate on the promotion of education to meet the future challenges.

Noted intellectual Jami Chandio said that Mr Diplai had laid the foundations of a modern society through education. He said that the struggle launched by him has become a golden chapter in the history of Sindh.

He said the late scholar was a deeply religious man but became a social reformer, which was a big change. He said that Diplai had devoted his life to efforts to bring about a social change in the society through his writings.

An eminent scholar Dr Habibullah Siddiqui said that the writings of Mr Diplai had left a deep impact on the society.

Short story writer Hameed Sindhi said that late Diplai had to fight with the feudal elements to disseminate his message for a social change. He said that same sort of struggle was badly needed in the province today to improve the standard of education.

The son of late Diplai, Mohammad Ali Diplai, said that his father never desired any recognition from the government. He said that his sister Surraya Soz Diplai was the first scholar to do PhD on her father and now many scholars were engaged in research on the life and works of his late father.

SLA chairperson Fehmida Hussain said that Mr Diplai was the first person in Sindh to bring about reforms in the field of education.

SLA secretary Professor Taj Joyo said that Mr Diplai throughout his life had remained a student and a teacher and his life and works should serve as a beacon of light for the future scholars.

Dr Yaqoob Mughal, Dr Mrs Shafiqur Rehman, Inayat Baloch, Gul Mohammad Umrani, Qazi Khadim and Dr Ali Mohammad Nizamani also paid tribute to the late writer.