Speakers at the function held here paid rich tributes to late Professor Eric Cyprian for his great contribution as a journalist, academician and political worker. The function was arranged by South Asian Free Media Association (Safma) Pakistan in connection with his 100-year birth anniversary.
While eulogising his human-qualities, they said Eric was a great intellectual, journalist and teacher of English/Punjabi literature. Those who spoke on his life and work included Safma Secretary General Imtiaz Alam, MNA Ayaz Mir, ex-IG Police Malik Nawaz Khan, Ashfaq Saleem Mirza, Professor Alamgir Hashmi, Monorma Tressalor and wife of Professor Eric, Mrs Ejaz Cyprian.
Prominent writer Kishwar Naheed, journalist Frida Hafeez and Director General Radio Pakistan Murtaza Solangi were also present on the occasion. Former Federal Minister Colonel S.K Tresslor (Retd) was the chief guest. The speakers said Professor Cyprian was a brilliant teacher who worked hard to inculcate in his students genuine desire to acquire knowledge, other than that in prescribed textbooks.
He was one of the founders of Shah Hussain College in Lahore though he spent last years of his life as a journalist in Islamabad. He is remembered for his work on classical Punjabi literature. In his educational pursuits, he travelled to UK and returned home in 1936 after obtaining the degree of BA Honour. The speakers further said Cyprian had personal association, working together with celebrities like Faiz Ahmad Faiz, Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi, Munir Niazi and Ahmad Faraz.
Cyprian had a multi-dimensional personality. He was man of letter and very committed to the cause of oppressed and drown-trodden people. He was among those people, who supported the creation of Pakistan. He was strong advocate of human rights and democratic values. He opposed all military regimes and stood fast for civil rights and revolutionary change. Ayaz Mir said he was romantic revolutionary. Whenever he saw any sign of resistance, he thought there was big mass power behind that. He had left behind a lot of his admirers, due to his pro-human ideas and persistent struggler for a democratic and prosperous Pakistan. S.K. Tressler, while highlighting human aspects of his life, said Cyprian was a very straight-forward and upright person, possessing strong moral character.
Throughout of his life, he had been pleading for the rights of a common man. Setting aside luxury living, he spent his life as an ordinary man. He never cared for pension, or other financial benefits. He kept working till the end of his life for human-cause and projecting national interest, through his writing, speeches and lectures. He was a source of inspiration of all the people around him, Tressler added. Citing his human-qualities of head and heart, Mrs Ejaz Cyprian said Eric even wanted to see his children as good human-being in their practical life. "He went through very hard time while struggling in the freedom movement. Many times, he went to jail and lived under-ground while steadfastly working for a separate homeland under the leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah," she added.
While opposing the British rule in the sub-continent, he refused to join the Indian civil service. As a member of the Communist party, he struggled for a country, where all segments of society enjoy equal rights and opportunities. Professor Cyprian was born in 1911 and died in December, 1995.