HYDERABAD, Nov 22: Sindh Minister for Education Pir Mazharul Haq has declared Mohammad Usman Deeplai a legend of the province and said that he struggled for the betterment of the society and uplift of poor people by pointing out the nefarious designs of the vested interests.

He was speaking at the launching ceremony of 10 re-printed books of late Deeplai published by Deeplai Trust on Saturday at Shaikh Ayaz Auditorium of the Faculty of Arts, University of Sindh.

The minister said it was up to the history to declare who was right or wrong, but at present, there is need for intellectuals and scholars to unite on one platform for development of the province.

He said Usman Deeplai was a source of inspiration for the youth and through his writings he insisted upon the youth to play a positive role in the society.

He said Usman Deeplai always wrote against Pirs of Sindh but due to his great character he had written a novel “Sanghar” on Pir Sibghatullah Rashidi who struggled against the British rule.

The literary events like Rooh Rihan played a vital role against One Unit and the writers were also a key part of that movement, he said.

Mr Haq hailed the reprinting of the books of Usman Deeplai however, he said, it must be the duty of Sindhi Adabi Board to publish the same.

As the chairman of the board, the minister said, he has transferred all powers to the board of governors and the vice-chairman of the board and added that the present government has enhanced the budget of the board from Rs10 million to Rs 40 million.

The minister advised the students to spend their time in a positive way by getting education and added that their time in the university is precious.

The University of Sindh is the mother institution and it is the first higher learning institution of the province, which always produces men of calibre, he said.

Noted scholar Dr N.A. Baloch who presided over the ceremony paid tributes to Usman Deeplai and said he created awareness among the youth.

Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sindh, Mazhar-ul-Haq Siddiqui, said he has deep respect for Usman Deeplai due to his wisdom for the community. He played a vital role in the society for its betterment, the Vice Chancellor said.

He said the youth, particularly students of the universities, must play their role by getting education and added that students should find their role and play it.

Rasool Bux Palijo, Hameed Sindhi, Mohammad Ali Deeplai and Dr Habibullah Siddiqui also expressed their views.—APP