R E C E N T EE V E N T RR E P O R T S

Dr. Sono Khangharani’s services for social development eulogized

Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research
Hosts a Reception to Honour the TRDP Chief Executive

KARACHI, Apr 11 – "It is very difficult for a low-caste Hindu to survive in a society of elites and getting an important civil award from the government on merit is really a unique achievement in the life of a Dalit," said Dr. Sono Khangharani, Chief Executive Officer of the Thardeep Rural Development Programme (TRDP) here on Saturday evening.

Dr. Khangharani was speaking at a reception in his honor, hosted by the Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research (PILER) on April 10, 2010, on receipt of civil award Sitara-e-Imtiaz this year in recognition of his services for social development in rural Sindh. A large number of civil society activists, media persons and local people attended the reception, which was followed by a music programme.


“I was a dropout from the school several times. Till I reached the tenth grade, I was always trying to hide my identity so that while traveling to school I could be allowed to drink water from the same glass that was used by others as Dalits were not allowed to share anybody's glass,” said Dr. Khangharani.

He said that he did not believe when he was informed by a bureaucrat from the concerned division in Islamabad that he was shortlisted for the Sitara-e-Imtiaz Award. “I remain unsure even today, though I formally received the Award on 23rd March."

Dr. Sono said that he has always tried to work for the downtrodden because he himself has experienced discrimination and understands the pain of being marginalized. However, he appreciated his friends and colleagues in the development sector for the support and cooperation extended to him.

“The award has given me a new sense of confidence and I look forward to serving the poor with a renewed vigour,” he said.
Dr Khangharani told the audience that being a low-caste Hindu, he faced discrimination at several points during his time as a student and later in his professional life. He also became target of the state' surveillance and intelligence apparatus and had his phone tapped and his movements tracked a number of times. "The state has invested a good amount of resources to check and ensure my credentials as a patriotic Pakistani," he said on a lighter note.

Earlier, in his welcome address, the Executive Director of PILER Mr Karamat Ali eulogized the services of Dr. Sono and said that it is an honour for the present government that it has given an award to him. “By giving out this well-deserved Award, the government can now confidently claim that it is indeed a democratic government."

Mr Karamat Ali demanded the government that every year people from the social development sector should be awarded the civil honour in recognition of their services. "There are a lot of dedicated individuals rendering selfless services without any expectations for reward or benefits."

The PILER Executive Director also extended Dr. Sono the offer to join the PILER Managing Board. Earlier, Ms. Zeenat Hisam, Senior Research Associate PILER presented the traditional Ajrak to Dr. Sono.

Peace Caravan

Pakistan Peace Coalition in collaboration with other civil society organizations of the country is arranging a 'Peace Caravan' from Karachi to Peshawar via Khyber Mail train on February 13, 2010 to express solidarity with terrorism-hit people of NWFP. On its way, the Caravan would also be joined by peace activists from other cities.

The Peace Caravan would reach at Peshawar on 15th and hold a press conference at Peshawar Press Club on the same day. Later the participants of Peace Caravan would visit the terrorism affected families and places. They would also attend a seminar on next day and hold meetings with the government high-ups and activists of civil society organizations.

Reference on M. B. Naqvi

Pakistan Peace Coalition in collaboration with Karachi Press Club would hold a reference to pay tributes to senior journalist and peace activist Late M. B. Naqvi at Pakistan Institute of International Affairs on February 9, 2009 at 3.30 pm.

Senior Journalist from India Kuldip Nayyar and Secretary General of Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) I. A. Rehman would speak on the occasion.

A book, containing a profile and selected articles of late M. B. Naqvi, published by Pakistan Study Centre, Karachi University would also be launched on the occasion.

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