Ibrahim Joyo Was Voice Of Secular And Democratic Sindh: Speakers

Society For Integrated Development (SIDE) organized a get to gather and celebrated 104th Birth Anniversary of renowned Sindhi intellectual, scholar, linguistic and political thinker Mohammad Ibrahim Joyo on 15th August 2019 at Jamshoro, which was attended by writers and thinkers of Sindh including Prof. Abdul Majeed Chandio, Prof. Imdad Chandio,  Aziz Gopang, Ali Akash, Dr. Santosh Kumar Kamrani, Mohsin Joyo, Akhter Hafeez, Aftab Hussain,  Kaleem Butt and Umar Tewnoo. On that occasion rich tributes were paid to M. Ibrahim Joyo for his incalculable services in fields of Sindhi literature, language, education, and politics.

On that occasion the writers and thinkers shared their experiences about Mohammad Ibrahim Joyo. 

Prof. Abdul Majeed Chandio said: "Today we are remembering the Great Joyo Saheb, who guided us in every walk of life including literature and politics. He was voice of progressiveness, secularism, socialism, nationalism and democracy in Sindh. Not only this but Joyo Saheb helped many poor and needy people of Sindh in making their careers. He is a true legend of Sindh, who has inspired many generations of Sindh and would inspire our future generations."

Prof. Imdad Chandio said: "I am glad that we are remembering our legend, who helped in constructing the nation, Joyo Saheb is the person who introduced modern ideology in Sindh, whether we call it nationalism, secularism, socialism and democracy. He was a humble and down to earth person, always loving, caring and used to give faith to others, and he especially used to motivate younger generation. Apart from that the literature he gave to us in form of translations or his own writings, it is greatest fortune for us. As a political worker I learned how to deal with people and art of politics by reading Joyo Saheb's book 'Alim Tadress Mazlooman Lai.' I read this book when I was in jail and this book taught me how to behave with and educate public as a political worker."

Writer and poet Aziz Gopang said: "Joyo Saheb was my father's teacher, once I asked my father who is greater personality of Sindh and gave him four names including that of Joyo Saheb, and he replied that no one could be compared with Joyo Saheb. He is man of importance to us and our coming generations because he never withdrew from his words, the essence of his ideology and philosophy is motherland and its self-determination. During One Unit was transferred to Lahore from Sindh as penalty, but soon the rulers realized he was more dangerous there and was sent back to Sindh. Joyo Saheb's ideology attracted people. He was a guide to writers like me, I used to write many unsuitable words in my columns and Joyo Saheb used to give suitable replacements for those words."

Writer and grandson of Joyo Saheb Mohsin Joyo said: "When Joyo Saheb was alive, I used to wait for his birthday whole year, especially because as he was becoming aged, I took it as a challenge how to maintain him, keeping in view his wishes and health, it is an honor for me even at 102 years, I was able maintain him as he wanted it and thought about it, and nothing went against his will till the end. Though there are lots of things to share about Joyo Saheb, but I would only narrate few things regarding how I learned lessons of life from him. Joyo Saheb had a very clear vision about Sindh and Sindhi nation, he could foresight things and his booklet 'Save Sindh, Save Continent' is best example of that. When Joyo Saheb was recovering from ailment at the age of 96, he told me that one thing was sure that truth was the moment in which he was living, 'whatever you want to do, do it here. You won't get a second chance.' I felt that after he recovered his wish to work more increased. One thing that fascinated me most was he never had regret about anything and in 70 years writing career he never withdrew from any of his writings." Mohsin Joyo thanked SIDE's team including Dr. S K Kamrani and Ali Akash for organizing such wonderful gathering.  

Short story writer and blogger Akhter Hafeez said: "I am fortunate that I met a legend of Sindh Mohammad Ibrahim Joyo, though I had very few meetings with him, when I did a blog on Joyo Saheb for Dawn, I started it with remembering the days when he was recovering from a heart by-pass, many people were thinking he might not survive, but he survived and when he opened his eyes, I was shocked to hear that he said 'we have to translate certain books. That would be out next target.' I think that he was a great brain from whom many generations learned and coming generations would also learn. Whoever has read works of Joyo Saheb, he/she has got inspiration from it."  

On that occasion the cake of 104th Birth Anniversary was cut and photo gallery of Joyo Saheb was also displayed.