A three-day book fair near the historic Shiwala Temple in Gambat pays tribute to the legendary educationist Sain Mahkumuddin Panhwar. Jointly organized to promote literacy and intellectual exchange, the event celebrates his lifelong dedication to integrity, public service, and accessible education.
By: Ramesh Raja
A three-day book fair has been underway since November 9 under the shade of the historic Shiwala Temple in Gambat. Dedicated to the memory of Sain Mahkumuddin Panhwar, the fair is a tribute to an educationist whose life was devoted to learning, teaching, integrity and public service.
Government Murad High School, Gambat, was established on April 4, 1947. Over the years, several dedicated teachers contributed to its academic and intellectual development. Among them were Ustad Allah Warayo Junejo, Mahkumuddin Panhwar, Sain Sharaf Ali Shah, Mola Bux Narejo and Muhammad Qasim Gulal. Their services remain part of the educational history of Gambat.
The book fair was inaugurated in the presence of Ustad Sain Ali Raza Shah, Khadim Khairai, Ustad Nooruddin Panhwar, Professor Akram Arain, Professor Sajjad Ahmed Panhwar, Asghar Lashari, Sadruddin Shaikh, Professor Rashid Premi and Naveed Naz Ajan, head of Mark Mehran Book House. The event has been jointly organised by the M. M. Panhwar Educational Society, Gambat, and Mark Mehran Book House, Khairpur. Several friends and literary figures, including Ali Raza Shah, Nazar Lakhai, Raz Ali Gul Bhutto, Sah Sheikh, Nazir Sarohi, Gohar Sheikh, Akram Latifi, Aslam Bhatti, Altaf Bhatti, Manzoor Gulal and Basharat Narejo, have also contributed to this initiative.
Last year, a similar book fair was organized in memory of the progressive writer Hafeez Sheikh. Continuing this tradition by dedicating the present fair to Sain Mahkumuddin Panhwar reflects the organizers’ commitment to remembering the people who enriched society through education, literature and service.
Sain Mahkumuddin Panhwar was born in 1932 in Ripri, a village about 15 kilometers from Gambat. He was the son of Haji Muhammad Saleh Panhwar, a poor, devout and hardworking farmer. Despite limited financial resources, he pursued education with determination. He passed his matriculation examination from Government Murad High School, Gambat, in 1950, completed his Intermediate education at Sindh Muslim College in 1952, obtained his B.A. from the University of Sindh in 1960 and later earned an M.Ed. degree in 1970.
He began his professional career as a teacher at Government Murad High School, Gambat, in 1955. Alongside teaching, he served as the warden of the school’s boarding house and later became its headmaster. He subsequently served as Chief Coordinator of Sumra Mosque Schools and as District Education Officer. He spent approximately eight years in Nawabshah and retired in 1992 after completing 37 years of government service.
His professional life was distinguished by honesty, punctuality, discipline, simplicity and adherence to principles. He believed in merit and equal treatment, irrespective of colour, race, caste, sect or religion. He opposed corruption, favoritism and illegal appointments, and always stood for fairness and transparency.
His hospitality was equally remarkable. During his posting in Nawabshah, a room in his official residence practically served as a public guesthouse. Visitors from Gambat and surrounding areas were welcomed with accommodation and simple meals of daal and roti. His home was always open to those who needed help, guidance or a place to stay. Such generosity was not merely a personal quality; it reflected his deep sense of humanity and social responsibility.
I also have a personal memory of his kindness. While studying at the Mehran University Nawabshah Campus from 1989 to 1993, I received his encouragement and guidance. He introduced me to the renowned teacher Mohan Lal and helped arrange tuition for me. I still remember his words when he introduced me to Hindu teachers: “This is a boy from our Gambat. He is very capable and intelligent. There are Hindu boys from Nawabshah as well. Bring them along so that we can arrange a healthy competition among them.”
These words reflected his broad-mindedness and belief in education beyond the boundaries of religion, caste or community. He wanted young people to learn, compete in a healthy spirit and succeed through their abilities.
His sons, Dr. Badruddin and Dr. Sharafuddin, also took part in community welfare activities, continuing the family’s tradition of social service. Sain Mahkumuddin Panhwar passed away on September 8, 1999, and was laid to rest in his ancestral village of Ripri. Although he is no longer among us, his educational services, personal values and kindness remain alive in the memories of those who knew him.
Book fairs are much more than exhibitions or temporary markets for books. They bring books, readers, writers, publishers, teachers and students together, creating opportunities for learning, discussion and intellectual exchange. In rural areas such as Gambat, where access to diverse books and literary activities may be limited, such events can play an especially important role. They encourage children and young people to develop reading habits, improve their language and knowledge, discover new ideas, broaden their outlook and develop critical thinking. They also help promote local writers, preserve literary traditions and create a culture in which knowledge is valued and shared. As Francis Bacon famously observed, “Reading makes a full man.” Initiatives like this deserve to become a regular feature of our social and educational life. The people of Gambat and neighboring areas should make the most of this opportunity and encourage their children to visit the fair, explore books and enrich their minds with the wealth of knowledge. By continuing such constructive activities, we can honour the legacy of dedicated educationists like Sain Mahkumuddin Panhwar and build a more informed, tolerant and enlightened society.
Read: Diwali: Lighting Harvests with Hope and Joy
___________
Hailing from Gambat town of Sindh, Engr. Ramesh Raja, is a Civil Engineer, visionary planner, PMP certified and literary enthusiast with a passion for art and recreation. He can be reached at engineer.raja@gmail.com
