HYDERABAD, Feb 20: The speakers at a book launching ceremony have said that instead of portraying the extortionists, looters and criminals as their heroes, the people should recognize scholars as their heroes.

They added that instead of raising sentimental political slogans, the people should emulate scholars and spread the light of knowledge.

They were speaking at an evening with Dr Nabi Bux Khan Baloch on the occasion of the launching of a book on him compiled by Taj Joyo here the other day. The function was jointly organized by two literary organizations, Manak Moti and Rooh Rehan at Mumtaz Mirza auditorium, Sindh Museum.

A galaxy of scholars, intellectuals, writers and educationists paid rich tributes to Dr Baloch for his services for education, history, literature, research and folklore and acclaimed him as one of the greatest living writers of the world.

They urged the literary and educational organizations both in the public and private sectors to make all out efforts for the publication of his unpublished works.

Speaking on the occasion, Sindh minister Syed Ali Mir Shah said that the nation could not be saved by raising the slogan of Jeay Sindh but only through education.

Noted intellectual and chief of Awami Tehrik, Mr Rasool Bux Palijo, said that in the past we had portrayed the looters and criminals as our heroes but the time was fast changing and the day was not far when we would start respecting our scholars.

Hameeda Khuhro said that the work of Dr Baloch was widely recognised and acknowledged at international level.

Dr Qasim Bughio, said that he had witnessed ministers and prominent people touching the feet of Dr Baloch.

Dr Baloch said that he was from Sindh and Pakistan and added that he was a Sindhi because Sindh was the best province of Pakistan and he was a Pakistani because Sindh was in Pakistan.

The others who paid tribute to Dr Baloch included Hameed Sindhi, Imdad Hussaini, Dr Nawaz Ali Shauq, Inayat Baloch, Taj Joyo, Mazharul Huque Siddiqui and others.