LARKANA: A Sindhi book, Munhnjo Larkano (My Larkana), authored by writer Jeal Oad was launched at a ceremony organised by The Knowledge Centre (TKN) in collaboration with the Larkana chapter of the Sindhi Adadbi Sangat (SAS) here on Sunday.

Former principal of the Govt Degree College, Larkana, Prof Faqeer Hidayatullah Tunio was the chief guest and Gul Mohammad Gaad (the compiler of a book Larkano sah Sebano), TKN Larkana director Prof Mukhtiar Sammoo and SAS joint secretary Malhar Sindhi were the guests of honour at the ceremony.

Speakers, including Sarmad Chandio, Inayat Memon, Deedar Ali Abbasi,Comrade Karim Baloch, Nayab Sarkash, Rizwan Gul, Ada Fazal Qazi and Faqeer Ghulam Rasool Memon described the book as an excellent attempt to preserve the magnificent history of Larkana.

The book highlighted the standards and values maintained by residents of Larakana villages leading simple and peaceful life, besides articulating feeling of its dwellers during their interactions with focus on Sindhi culture, threatened by lawlessness and deprivation.

The speakers noted that villagers were now moving to the urban centres overburdening cities. They also expressed concern over the fact that heritage sites in the city were not properly preserved or looked after. In this context, Jeal Oad in his book painted a picture of the old localities, streets and places and made mention of their original names, which had now been changed.

The author shared his feelings over tampering with the history of the district, they said. “He has done an excellent job by writing contemporary as well as past accounts of cities highlighting all aspects,” one of the speakers said.

Published in Dawn, October 13th, 2014