Noorudin Sarki : A Life of Dedication and Love
By : Suraiya Makhdoom

In the death of Saeen Noorudin Sarki, Sindh has lost a great son of the soil. Late Saeen Sarki sahab always fought for the rights of Sindh on all fronts: political, legal, educational and so.

Saeen Sarki was a lawyer by profession, but his interests included fine arts and literature as well.

Being one of the founders, he had a long association with Sindhi Adabi Sangat. His contributions to this Sindhi literary organisation will always be remembered with love and gratitude. Sindhi Adabi Sangat has rightly declared a three-days mourning period for Saeen Sarki.

He was above party politics and supported and co-operated with all the Sindh oriented parties and groups. In one of his photos, Saeen Sarki is seen in JSQM’s hunger strike camp and chatting with the party’s leaders. He participated in WSC and SANA conferences. He was loved and admired by all the diverse political parties and groups. All of them sought his advice, guidance and support. It was his sincerity and commitment, due to which nobody could accuse him of supporting every group and organisation. Saeen Sarki’s agenda was Sindh, Sindhi people and Sindhi language and culture; so whosoever worked on that agenda, would qualify for and count on his support. Being an icon of the age himself, he was closely associated with great stalwarts in politics and arts, such as, Saeen G.M. Sayed, Comrade Sobho Gianchandani and Shaikh Ayaz.

Being committed to the cause of downtrodden people of Sindh, Saeen Sarki support individual and groups in every way. Not only was he with them in their gatherings and demos, but also he fought the cases of political activists and poor people like farmers, workers etc. for free. He had also taken up the case of Sindh nationalist leader, Dr Safdar Sarki, who was abducted by Pakistani secret agencies in February 2006. He was dealing with that case till his last days.

Saeen Sarki’s departure has saddened and shocked me personally. I have very fond memories of Saeen Sarki. When I was a student at Sindhi University in 1970’s, I had formed a sub-Committee, known as the "Students’ Release Committee" within the Jeeay Sindh. On behalf of this Committee, we used to legally fight the cases of the imprisoned students. Of course, money was needed. We used to collect some funds, but they were meagre as compared to the legal costs. Being Chair of the Committee I dared take that meagre amount to Saeen Sarki in his office, which at that time was on Bundar Road, Karachi. I remember Saeen Sarki listened to me carefully, smiled and then agreed to fight our cases. As the money was very little, I offered my services in kind : I could type and draft, etc. So I said to Saeen Sarki that I would come to his office every week, update on the cases, do some typing work and help prepare the cases. Saeen Sarki again smiled and agreed and introduced me to his staff. At that time we used to live not very far from Bundar Road. I used to go home every weekend anyway, which made it convenient for me to go to Saeen Sarki’s office. Thus I visited Nooruddin Sarki’s historic Bundar Road office almost every week and even met him many times, whenever he was around. That continued for quite some time.

Later on, I met Sarki Sahab in different gatherings. He was always kind and supportive. My misfortune that I could not meet him in August when I was in Sindh. I did see his office from outside. Syed Ghulam Shah had invited us over tea in his new office. When we were leaving, he pointed out to Saeen Sarki’s office. It was quite late in the evening, so I thought he wouldn’t be in his office at that time.

Saeen Sark’s death has left a great vacuum in almost all areas of Sindhi life and society.

Life for Saeen Sarki was another name of continuous work, dedication and struggle. He never retired. He was full of energy and worked till his last day. In the words of Shah Abdul Latif :

She did not sit idle while she was alive
Remembering her kith and kin
She left for the after-world

Saeen Sarki, thus, did his duty, led a life of dedication, sacrifice, love and care. Now it’s up to all of us, especially his friends, colleagues and admirers to carry on with the great traditions laid down by Saeen Nooruddin Sarki, the traditions of selfless service, dedication, hard work, struggle, sincerity, love of language and literature, offering free help to the needy and commitment to the cause of the downtrodden people.

May God rest his soul in peace and give courage to his family and friends to bear this irreparable loss.