Taking pains: Ibrahim Joyo’s ‘Save Sindh, Save the Continent’ translated into Sindhi

KARACHI:

Renowned intellectual Mohammad Ibrahim Joyo's book 'Save Sindh, Save the Continent' has been translated into Sindhi by writer and advocate Amanullah Shaikh.

The original book, written in 1946 in English, was published in 1947 and portrays the true picture of the conditions of Sindh, said the speakers at the book launch at Arts Council of Pakistan on Friday. During the inaugural ceremony, the speakers explained the importance of the book and its translation into the Sindhi language.

"The book was written when clashes started in Calcutta on August 16, 1946," said human rights activist and lawyer Comrade Rochiram. "The riots spread across Bengal and other provinces and Joyo sahib rightly elaborated the situation of Sindh in his book."

The year, 1946, was quite critical for Sindh as well, he said. "One should ponder over the importance of the book and why it was written," he said. The aged comrade said that he read the book in 1947 when he was in college.

The translator of the book said that he attempted in 1974, and then in 1984, to accomplish his goal of translating the book but was unable to complete it. "This was my third attempt and I finally did it this time," said Shaikh.

There were three critical issues in the book explained by the writer. These pertained to questions such as whether or not Sindh should have been a part of India or Pakistan. Talking about the problems of Sindh, Shaikh criticised the role of the feudal lords. He said that they just give priority to their own interests.

The speakers urged that the education and culture departments should encourage writers and researchers so that more books could enter the market.  Qazi Fazal Suleman, a lawyer and writer called upon the government to pay authors who write in Urdu, Sindhi, Gujrati and other local languages.

"Two books are being published daily in Sindh," said Prof Aijaz Qureshi. "The government should encourage writers by purchasing their books and then send them to libraries and schools."

Published in The Express Tribune, September 28^th, 2014.