In November 1999, when she was bed-ridden with more illnesses than she cared to name, Hiranandani released her 57th book at a private ceremony in her home. As senior Sindhi poet Hari Dilgir said once of the feisty author, 'Popati has a knack of using her boli (language) as a goli (bullet).' More than 50 years after Partition, when this writer spoke to her, her fragile 75-year-old body bristled at the memory of what happened back then her dimming eyes gleamed with rage her voice began to crack as she relived the unspeakable indignities that occurred. Sindhi writers like Popati Hiranandani, however, have ensured that the world does not forget. For many who were forced to cope with the trauma, Partition is now no more than a bad memory to be tucked away into the deepest recesses of their hearts and minds in the hope that they can eventually pretend it never happened. Members of the community have blended into international cultures. Today, the Sindhi community has moved on, through hard work and sheer determination.
