Laxman Bhatia Him receiving the Sahitya Akademi Award

At the time of Partition, Laxman Bhatia and his family left their home and all their belongings in the middle of night to board a ship at the port of Karachi. The ship had close to 500 people on board, but was meant for about 200, and had scarcely any food or water on board. The ship broke down mid-journey, but it eventually arrived at Okha port in Gujarat. Mr. Bhatia and his family finally settled in Delhi after a few weeks in Gujarat. Mr. Bhatia is an accomplished Sindhi writer and journalist, whose works include children’s books, poetry collections, operas and plays, and who has won several awards including the Sahitya Akademi award. His biography has been translated into several languages.