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Saturday, June 02, 2012
Glowing tribute paid to BM Kutty for his servicesStaff Report
KARACHI: Political leaders, historians, intellectuals, lawyers, trade union leaders, writers, journalists, social activists and workers paid rich tribute to BM Kutty for his services in national politics and social development sector of Pakistan.
They were speaking at a function hosted in honour of veteran political activist Biyyathil Mohyuddin Kutty, famously known as BM Kutty, organised by the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) at the PMA House here on Thursday evening.
Kutty started his political life in1940s as an active member of the Kerala Students Federation. He later moved on as a political activist and remained associated with the National Awami Party (NAP), the National Democratic Party and the Pakistan National Party. He served as political secretary of former governor of Balochistan, Mir Ghaus Bakhsh Bizenjo. He also worked as secretary general of the Movement for Restoration of Democracy. A committed advocate of labour rights, Kutty helped establish and led the Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research (PILER). He is an active member of regional peace movements and is currently forwarding the peace agenda through the Pakistan Peace Coalition (PPC) with which he is associated as secretary general.
In his welcome remarks, President Pakistan Medical Association Dr Tipu Sultan appreciated the efforts of Kutty.. “People should be honoured during their lifetime and their message needs to be communicated to a broader section of the society within their lives.”
Former senator Dr Abdul Malik appreciated the services of Kutty for the people of Balochistan and said he is well known in the political circles of the province since the 1970s. He said that Kutty’s autobiography, “Sixty Years in Self Exile: No Regrets” offers an informed perspective on Balochistan and the province needs more such intellectuals to communicate the true picture of the neglected province to the rest of the country.
Noted historian Dr Mubarak Ali said that in history, people who have challenged the powerful structures have faced dire consequences and every effort has been made to suppress their voice. But it is also a fact that such struggles cannot be suppressed and the history’s process makes the message public. Visiting journalist from India, Jawed Naqvi, who is the Bureau Chief of daily Dawn in New Delhi appreciated the services of Kutty for peace between India and Pakistan. He said people of both the countries had suffered at the hands of wealthy rulers. He cautioned that the peace process should be approached as an independent proposition and it was important to separate it from the interest of the business and military powers that see peace as a means to promote their commercial interests.
Noted anchorperson and senior journalist Mujahid Brelvi recalled his first meeting with Kutty during the former’s days as a student leader. He said since then he had worked closely with him and learned a lot from Kutty.
Executive Director PILER Karamat Ali said the single person whom he had spent the maximum time of his life is Kutty. He said despite his frequent quarrels, he had always found Kutty a helping hand. Kutty’s services for the working class of Pakistan are unmatched. He said that the left movement had suffered a lot in Pakistan. Ali pointed out that Kutty played a pioneering role in establishing PILER.
Senior lawyer of Supreme Court of Pakistan Syed Iqbal Haider said that Kutty provided intellectual input during the MRD in Pakistan and Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto was his admirer. He said that Mohtarma invited Kutty to join the PPP but he remained loyal to Mir Bizenjo. Haider also appreciated the services of Kutty for regional peace in South Asia. Speaking on the occasion, Kutty expressed his gratitude to all the speakers and participants. He recalled his affiliation with the Democratic Students Federation and National Students Federation. He appreciated the services of Dr Sher Afzal Malik, Dr. MA Mehboob, Dr Jaseem Pasha, Dr Manzoor Ahmed, Dr A Aziz, Dr Rasheed Hasan Khan, Dr Baqar Askary, Dr Abdul Haye Baluch, Dr Naimatullah Gichki, Dr Ilahi Bakhsh, Dr. Abdul Malik Baluch, and Dr Yousuf Bizenjo during his years of struggle as a political worker.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk