LARKANA: A Sindhi book Heera, Lal Moti written by octogenarian writer and researcher Dr Ghulam Ali Sangi was launched here at the Knowledge Centre the other day.

The book comprises research articles written by the author on the 97-year-old history of Government Pilot Higher Secondary School Lark­ana, sketches of its 62 headmasters, some selected retired teachers and successful students. The ceremony was presided over by prominent writer Prof Dr Bashir Ahmed Shaad.

Those attending the launching included Dr Bashir Ahmed Shaad, Gul Mohammad Gaad, Sikandar Ali Abbasi, Professor Mukhatir Samo and Riazt Buriro.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Sangi said the high school occupied a very important place in the educational history of Larkana. It was established as a vernacular school in 1854 and later on was promoted as high school in 1919. From that day the school had continuously been spreading light of education in this area from where a large number of students had benefited. Many of them had played very important role in political, social and administrative history of the country, he said.

Dr Bashir Ahmed Shaad, academician and author of many books, said the book was an important research document about the high school which was nearing to completion of its century of best academic life.

He said the book would prove a guide for the new generation. They would follow the teaching and foot prints of their good teachers if they wanted to be successful in society, he added.

Gul Mohammad Gaad, who has compiled the first comprehensive book on the history of Larkana titled Larkano Sah sebano (Beloved Larkana), said the book on the high school was a proof that the teachers who taught honestly were always remembered. He said the school had contributed tremendously to education in Larkana.

Prof Mukhtiar Samo, writer and founder of Knowledge Centre, said educational institutions were evidence of civilised and educated nations. Compiling history of educational institutions was appreciable, he said.

Professor Sikandar Ali Abbasi said the language used by the author in this book was pure and fascinating. Though the book highlighted many important facts about the school, its teachers and students, it still required more details about many important matters.

Writer and author Mohammad Ali Pathan said it was very timely that the appreciation had been accorded to the teachers of Govt. Pilot High School Larkana for their good services.

Professor Jam Jamali, former secretary of the Arts Council of Larkana, said Dr Ghulam Ali had also worked as a teacher in the school. It was a good sign if teachers preserved the history of their own institutions, he said.

Jeal Oad, writer and author, said Dr Ghulam Ali had been very reputable teacher who took students as his own children and taught them with dedication.

Dr Pirah Sakina Gaad said the book had preserved a very important chapter of the history of Larkana for which the author deserved laurels.

Others who also spoke on the occasion included Dr Saeed Ahmed Sangi, Engineer Ayaz Hussain Abro, Latif Gaad and Riazat Buriro.

Published in Dawn September 13th, 2016