HYDERABAD: Speakers remembered late comrade Taj Mohammad Abro and described him as a friend of the soil while eulogising his substantial contribution to literature, social service, dispensation of justice and welfare of the downtrodden and oppressed people of Sindh.

He was not only a great writer, but was also an equally great intellectual, educationist, journalist and judge, they said while speaking at a gathering organised by the Institute of Art and Design, University of Sindh (SU) Jamshoro, at Benazir Bhutto gallery here the other day to mark Abro’s 95th birth anniversary.

SU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Fateh Mohammad Burfat said comrade Abro was an exceptionally decent man and a large-hearted person who played a significant role in creating awareness among people in remote areas of Sindh for seeking education. He urged youths to emulate Abro for not only building their future, but also for securing future of the nation.

“The new generation should learn from the old and help one another and give priority to seeking education,” he said.

Writer Jami Chandio said that those who worked for the cause of humanity were always remembered in history. Services of Taj Abro in the field of education, literature, social work and law could never be forgotten, he said, adding that he was an upright man who never compromised on his principles. He said that those who had rendered services for the welfare of the downtrodden would always stay alive in the hearts of people.

“He was a man of multidimensional attributes and a great writer,” he said.

Lauding services of Mr Abro, Maulana Azizullah Bohio said he was a great supporter of the cause of workers and peasants and always raised his voice through his pen as a journalist for the exploited masses. He said that though Abro was a sessions judge, he preferred to live as a common man of the society. He was friend of the soil and his services would remain immortal.

Prof Dr Abdul Majeed Chandio said Abro was a friend of political icons like G.M. Syed, Z.A. Bhutto and comrade Haidar Bakhsh Jatoi and was a versatile individual.

He said Abro was a renowned poet and author and he was considered to be the poet laureate of the Sindhi language.

Mir Nadir Ali Abro, son of Abro, said his autaq (gathering place) was situated at Larkana and everybody whether rich or poor used to be treated equally there. He said Z.A. Bhutto and many other prominent political leaders learnt the knack and mechanism of politics from his father, adding that comrade Abro had also founded a sangat in Larkana to guide people, especially the youth of the era.

SU Institute of Art and Design director Prof Saeed Ahmed Mangi said the literary services of Mr Abro constituted a rich portal of political history of Sindh.

Daughters of Abro, Zahida Taj and Shahida Taj Abro, well-known author Fahim Noonari, Mumtaz Bhatti and others also spoke on the occasion. A birthday cake was also cut to celebrate his birthday.

Earlier, a documentary on his life and achievements was screened amid loud accolades, applause and cheers of the mesmerised audience.

Published in Dawn, August 11th, 2019