A Branch of the Sapling of Sorrow

Ali Amjad was once a recognized name in Indiaís labor movement. Because of his deep involvement with Indiaís freedom movement and workersí rights movement, he was often incarcerated for long periods of time. After coming to Pakistan, he chose the field of labor law for the defense of workerís rights. He is included among the senior lawyers of Pakistanís supreme court, where he is well renowned. His novel Kali Mati (ìBlack Soilî), based on the historic workersí strike of 1958 at the steel plant in Jamshedpur, is considered a valuable addition to Urdu literature.

ìA breeze blew from a direction unseen,

burned the garden of delight

But a branch of the sapling of sorrow,

they call heart, remained greenî