Racing away: Horse, cattle show raises spirits despite low turnout

Few people showed up due to the attacks on law enforcers in Karachi.

HYDERABAD:

For over a week, Ilahi Bux Lashari practiced with his horse, preparing to win a position at the horse race in the horse and cattle show that was held on Thursday as part of the ongoing Sindh Festival.

He ended up accomplishing his goal, finishing second. Yet he felt that enthusiasm for the event was missing. “I was hoping to see big personalities like Bilawal Bhutto and was expecting a larger crowd,” said Lashari, a resident of Benazirabad who rode on his horse ‘Kalashn’.



Dozens of horse and bull riders participated in the event, which was also supposed to feature a musical show in the evening. However, out of respect to the policemen who died in Karachi, the music show was cancelled.

The stand-off between Sindh University students and law enforcement officials further spoiled the event as many of the students were dragged, collared, beaten and even thrown in police vans when they tried to enter.

“We had to cut the event short due to the Karachi incident,” said provincial livestock and fisheries minister Jam Khan Shoro, who was the chief guest at the event. “We have dedicated today’s event to the martyred policemen.”

The show was organised at an empty piece of land along the Hyderabad bypass. Over a dozen horses from various districts of Sindh took part in the 500-metre race. The horse ‘Shahzado’, rode by Muhammad Yousuf Khoso, won the first position.

Ghulam Hussain Mangahar’s Mor, Sahib Mithal’s Mehboob and Ustad Arbab’s Kohinoor finished first, second and third, respectively, in the horse walk. “We had prepared to perform at a mega event but have been left disappointed by the turnout,” said Mangahar. “However, we are still happy that the government is promoting this part of our culture by arranging a show.”



In the bull race, Allah Warayo’s pair Nachu [dancer] outpaced their rivals and were followed by the pairs Pakhi and Janeman of Javed Jahejo and Bero Mirjat respectively.

Up to 50 stalls, mostly of government departments like livestock, fisheries, irrigation, small industries, agriculture and poultry, were also set up for the visitors.

Singers and performers such as Sanam Marvi, Shaman Mirali, Raj Mastani, Hasan Jahangir and Qadir Baksh Mitho did not get a chance to perform. However, they all came on stage and observed a minute of silence to pay homage to the policemen who lost their lives in the attack.

Hyderabad deputy commissioner had announced a holiday in the district on the eve of the event.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 14^th, 2014.