LARKANA: The ‘Sixth Larkano History Conference’ was held under the aegis of the Larkano District Historical Society (LDHS) at the Govt Girls Higher Secondary School here on Sunday.

It was presided over by LDHS chairman Mohammad Yousuf Shaikh while Javed Ali Jagirani Deputy Commissioner Larkana and patron-in-chief of the historical society was its chief guest. Two books on various aspects of history of Larkana titled Larkana tareekh-o-tahzeeb in Urdu and Larkane ji ilmi, adabi aen saqafati tareekh compiled by Prof Mukhtiar Samoo and Rizwan Gul, respectively, and published by the society were launched.

Lifetime achievement awards were given to seven famous personalities of Larkana for their meritorious performance in various fields. The recipients included Abdul Majid Bhurgari (Sindhi computing), Abida Parveen (music), Ishtiaque Ansari (research/ history), Abdul Ghaffar Tabassum (poetry) and Ayub Gaad (fine arts).

LDHS chairman Yousuf Shaikh said that history was indeed like an institution of wisdom that taught the lessons of civilisation and evolution as well. He said the LDHS should continue publishing books in English, Urdu and Sindhi.

Historian Ishtiaque Ansari presented his paper on ‘Restoration of Darya Khan Abro’s tomb in Garelo, district Larkana’. He said it was a tragedy that Sindh’s history had been written by non-natives, mostly courtiers of kings, who ignored the real heroes of of Sindh. “The history of Sindh needs to be rewritten,” he said.

Historian Imam Rashdi presented his paper on ‘Ghar Wah’. He told the audience that Ghar Wah was the natural tributary of River Indus which was further developed by Mian Shahul Mohammad of the Kalhora dynasty and a military general of Shah Baharo’s army. “Ghar Wah is under the threat of constant decay and destruction which should be checked,” he said.

Dr Bashir Ahmed Shaad, Abdul Sattar Bhatti, Prof Ghulam Hussain Katper, Riazat Buriro and Dr Amna Abro were among the other researchers who presented their papers at the conference.

Larkana Deputy Commissioner and patron-in-chief of the LDHS also spoke.

Published in Dawn, March 14th, 2016