Writer Ibrahim Joyo turns 101

The literary icon celebrates birthday surrounded by well-wishers

HYDERABAD: Showered with accolades by academics, writers, politicians, civil society representatives and ardent fans, towering literary figure and intellectual Ibrahim Joyo celebrated his 101st birthday on Saturday.

The celebration, organised by Sindh Agriculture University (SAU), at Indus Hotel in Hyderabad also saw the launch of three of Joyo's books.



The elderly writer, who has authored numerous books on politics, culture and history, as well as various translations, cut his birthday cake flanked by numerous well-wishers.



"Joyo doesn't own any property or a plaza or any other big asset," said MPA Mehtab Akbar Rashdi. "But the wealth of knowledge and literature he has created through his work, that wealth has given birth to many writers, intellectuals and researchers."

She said that Joyo wrote his book, Save Sindh, Save the Continent, when he was 21 years old. "Even at that time, he pointed out the nexus of feudal lords and the elite ruling Sindh and [proposed] getting rid of that system, which sadly continues till this day," she lamented.



The acting vice-chancellor of SAU, Dr Muhammad Safar Mirjat, likened Joyo to River Indus. "Like the river turning the land of Sindh fertile, Joyo did the same work on the literary and educational landscape."

Jami Chandio, an intellectual and civil society activist, praised Joyo for promoting enlightened moderation.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 15^th, 2016.