KARACHI: Last rituals of noted Sindhi writer and human rights activist, Miss Popti Hiranandani, who died in Bombay on Friday, were performed on Saturday. She was 71.

Coming from a learned family of Hyderabad, Sindh, she began writing at an early age of 13 and rose to join the rank of prominent writers who attempted to explore various aspects of literature, culture and history. Born on Sept 17, 1924 at Hyderabad where she received her early education. After Independence, her family migrated to Bombay. There too she continued her profession of teaching but her love for writing overwhelmed other faculties. She wrote about 60 books on various subjects.

In recognition to her works, she got a number of awards, including the prestigious Sahitya Academy Award in 1982. Due to her active participation in the promotion of Sindhi language and arts, she was appointed member of the Advisory Board, Ministry of Education, Govt of India, convener of the Advisory Committee of Sahitya Academy and member of the selection committee of the Union Public Service Commission.

In her last years, her health did not allow her to continue writing actively. A soft spoken, friendly and dedicated writer, her mark on Sindhi literature and language will be long felt. —Shaikh Aziz