LARKANA: Speakers at the first death anniversary of comrade Sobho Gianchandani paid tribute to his commitment and called for publishing his work and constructing a memorial.

Former ambassador to the UAE Abdul Razzak Soomro, who remained close to the comrade as an advocate, presided over the event held at the Pakistan Arts Council.

The speakers said the government was ignoring construction of his memorial and called for publishing his works to spread his philosophy.

The comrade also used to deliver lectures to PPP workers in Larkana on socialism, Mr Soomro said. Prof Mukhtiar Samo, director of the Knowledge Centre, said comrade Sobho was an all-time inspiration for the people of every age. Despite his old age and fragile health, he used to attend literary and educational gatherings in Larkana and spoke at length about the world of literature, society and politics.

Mr Soomro called the comrade a man of international stature who throughout his life’s ups and downs earned and distributed love with his untiring efforts to fight for the rights of downtrodden and working class people.

Advocate Ammanullah Shaikh said Gianchandani remained unshaken and followed his own ideas with commitment, courage and conviction.

He said the comrade preferred fighting for Haris (peasants) and students along with keeping his commitment alive with the Communist Party.

The comrade criticised romanticism and Sufism, saying that Gadinasheens linked with politics in Sindh were destroying the province. Sindhis should understand the global changes as, according to him, it was time of democracy and non-violence.

He [Gianchandani] said nationalism could not alone be the answer to the solution of problems and instead of taking solo flight, people should unite under one flag for struggle, Mr Shaikh said.

Dr Momal Gianchandani, his grand-daughter, shared her memories about the grandfather. She said that at home, he never let any member of the family down any time. He loved and cared his family.

She said the comrade taught them to be constant and firm in their beliefs and preached to be honest in dealing with others and hard working so as to get success. He even helped his family in daily course.

Muhammed Ali Pathan said the comrade was the treasure of knowledge. He said: “I recorded him many times when he spoke untiringly on politics and literature or narrated his own struggle for the restoration of the rights of peasants and labourers.” Those records, he said, were transcribed and published into book form.

Jagdesh Ahuja, Gulab Pirzado, Jam Jamali and others said Gianchandani belonged to a very small village near Moenjodaro. It was due to him that political and educational reached the village. He influenced the youngsters of the village so much that they adopted the path of learning and become progressive in their thoughts, they said.

Jawed Shaikh, secretary of the PAC, also spoke on the occasion.

In Shahdadkot, the Pirbhat Women Development Society also held a programme to pay homage to and highlight contributions of Sobho Gianchandani on his first death anniversary observed on Tuesday.

Published in Dawn, December 11th, 2015