Eminent educationist Dr Qalandar Shah Lakyari passes away

Eminent linguist and educationist Dr Qalandar Shah Lakyari passed away on Friday due to a cardiac arrest at a Karachi hospital after a protracted illness. He was 80 years old.

In addition to his 50-year career of teaching English language and literature, he was among the editors of the two English-to-Sindhi language dictionaries published by the Oxford University Press.

Dr Lakyari was born on May 1, 1940, in Ahmed Kakkar village in Bulri Shah Karim taluka, Tando Muhammad Khan district, formerly Hyderabad.

He accomplished his postgraduate qualification in English from the University of Sindh (SU), Jamshoro, where he also taught for most of his life. He retired from SU in 2000 after heading the English language department as its chairperson.

A recipient of the President's Pride of Performance Award in 2013, Dr Lakyari remained engaged with the teaching profession after his retirement.

Besides language and literature, the subjects of anthropology and Sufism also captivated the interest of the late scholar. A book of his poetry is under the process of publication.

Acting SU vice chancellor Prof Muhammad Siddique Kalhoro remembered him as an institution of English education and a treasure trove of knowledge in his condolence message.

Dr Lakyari will be laid to rest at a graveyard near Al Manzar in Jamshoro district on Saturday.