Condolence reference: Tributes showered on Sobho Gianchandani

Activists from twin cities termed the death of comrade Sobho as a great loss to the down trodden people of Pakistan.

ISLAMABAD:

Speakers at a condolence reference here on Sunday paid tributes to legendary writer, intellectual and left wing thinker comrade Sobho Gianchandani who died on December 8, at the age of 94. The reference was organised by Sindh Graduates Association (SGA) Islamabad chapter at Shah Abdul Latif Community Centre. 

Writers, intellectuals and rights’ activists from the twin cities termed the death of comrade Sobho as a great loss to the down trodden people of Pakistan, in general, and progressive movement in particular.

The speakers said that Comrade Sobho remained committed to his ideology and struggled not only against British colonial rule but also for the rights of the working class and oppressed nations throughout his life.

His commitment to his ideology could be gauged from an incident when Sobho sb was nominated for Kamal-e-Fun award, a highest literary award given in the field of literature in 2004, he refused to receive it from a military dictator.

Speaking on the occasion, progressive writer, poet and intellectual Ashfaq Saleem Mirza, said that young generations need to learn from the life and struggle of people like comrade Sobho and understand the objective realities of society to bring real change.

Human rights activist Tahira Abdullah in her remarks recalled her discussion with Sobho sb on Skype on his last birthday. “He was a man of unprecedented qualities who not only took part in political movements but also contributed to literature by writing poetry and short stories,” she said.

Tahira said comrade Sobho faced problems and torture in the hands of dictators who put him behind bars, kept at Lahore Forte due to his commitment and unwavering support for the oppressed people.

Professor Amanullah Memon said that comrade Sobho experienced trauma and losses but his personal problems never weakened his commitment to the people and struggle for them.

Memon recalled his fond memories with one of the most respected communist leaders he has ever met.

Rabindranath Tagore

SGA Islamabad President Muhammad Yousuf Memon said Rabindranath Tagore, the first Indian Nobel Prize winner, who was Sobho sb’s mentor from Shantiniketan College in West Bengal, used to call him a man from Moen-jo Daro, because of his village located near the historical site, which is widely recognised as ancient Indus Valley Civilization metropolis.

Other speakers included Nazar Memon, Kapil Dev, Niaz Nadeem, Hakim Buriro and Gul Sindhi.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 15^th, 2014.