Appreciations
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Raja loved peace but was pushed towards war Tuan Nizam Dane It’s nine years since Colonel Tuan Nizam Dane, affectionately called Raja, of the 10th Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment of the Sri Lanka Army, left us – according to his fervent wish - to die with his boots on. But I still have to come up with an accurate word or phrase to describe the man he was.
Raja was a dedicated army officer, a loving husband to Eileen, a dedicated father to his only off-spring Romola and a doting grandfather, even though for a brief period. During my association with him I have hardly seen him lose his temper, but angry he did get with me once. That was during a discussion, one of so many, about a solution to the country’s ethnic or terrorist conflict. I made the blunder of questioning him why he, being a Malay, should be fighting a conflict between two other races. My question was meant more to prolong the discussion, but he missed it for such. I vividly remember what he said, “This is our country. Whoever fights, it’s the future generation that will suffer. For their sake, for our children’s sake we should fight if necessary. But, mind you, it has to be a political solution at the end.” How true? Are we any nearer to his hopes? Raja Dane touched the lives of the elite and the normal alike. He specially had an amiable way with children. When I walked home on the evening of June 7, I saw a lone candle throwing its light on our porch. Yes, I had forgotten, but my son Amrit and my wife, Raja’s little sister Rani, had remembered that it was Remembrance Day for all those who had sacrificed their lives in this senseless war in our island. When Raja died, my son was only six years old. But remember he did. I stood under the porch for a few minutes and asked forgiveness from God Almighty, my dear friend and all those who had sacrificed their lives to make this land a better place to live in. “Apey sir nitharama positive,” troops who served under him used to say. That phrase conveyed several meanings. ‘Apey sir’, as far as the military is concerned, goes a long way. It makes Raja one of us, one who belonged to the troops. The other conveyed his positive outlook to life. Time was of essence for him. Do it now, was what he always insisted on. Most of the time, he had an uncanny foresight, which on occasions saved his life. During one instance, while he was travelling by road to Batticaloa, something had made him take a different and longer route from somewhere near Habarana. His driver had not questioned but followed instructions. They proceeded safely. But another vehicle carrying senior officers which followed the regular road was hit by a land mine. Many instances like these were related to me by Raja, so much so that his friends serving with him would ask him which route they should take to arrive safely. True to his Geminian character (not that he believed
in astrology) he had many pokers in the fire at the same time. When
I talked of astrology he would dismiss it as bunkum, but he would
prod me for more! How else could a person opt to be a voluntary
officer without joining the regular force? His urge to move, his
liking for more space, what else? And that too, after sacrificing
a teaching career and a comfortable office life at Mercantile Credit
Ltd. He was with the 5th Artillery in Jaffna, Mannar, Gampaha, Colombo
and Batticaloa. For sometime he served as secretary to the North
East Governor, General Nalin Seneviratne. Raja was with Military
Intelligence before he reverted back to his Vijayabahu Regiment,
which he commanded until his death at Periyamadu in Omanthai, during
the Jayasikurui Operation.And while in the Army, he wanted to continue
his legal studies as well! God only knows what else he had up his
sleeve! When we start a discussion on him, it usually centres around
the fun and the jokes he played on others as well as on himself.
He had a unique sense of humour. A voracious reader and a perfectionist
in English, he would throw chapter and verse at us. But ultimately,
the discussion peters down to a somewhat prolonged silence followed
by tears. He never talked about his military operations. It was
like getting a feather from a tortoise if we asked anything of that.
But once in a way he would provide us with that little ‘need
to know’ bit. He would not have wanted to be assassinated by his foes. That much I know through my experience with my friend, partner, companion and brother-in-law Colonel Raja Dane. His was a career like that of Lord Tennyson’s ‘The Light Brigade’: Not though the soldier knew, Someone had blundered; Theirs not to make reply, Their’s not to reason why, Theirs to do and die. We will remember you always Colonel Raja Nizam Dane.
Memories and melodies Jimmy Bharucha
Today, June 25, marks the first death anniversary of my Uncle Jimmy. After his death, one of his friends told my father, “Well, that’s the end of Jimmy.” My father told him it will be the end of you and me when we are no more but not for Jimmy as his voice lives on and now belongs to the ages. How true – every morning when I go to my parents’ home right next door, I hear on the cassette recorder his programmes playing with that rich voice breezing through the house. His programmes, such as “Melodies and Memories”, “Vintage Hour”, and other musical programmes which he presented, also interviews, news broadcasts, etc. are played very often by my mother who is indexing his CDs and cassettes. To go through all the cassettes he had in his possession would take a lifetime. Uncle Jimmy was the only person I knew who really loved what he did and did what he loved. He used to tell me that he never had the “Monday Blues”, as everyday was exciting and enjoyable for him. Among his numerous fans, there is one in particular who drops in quite often to reminisce about Uncle Jimmy and who told me that whenever he listens to his programmes (he has taped so many of them on his own cassettes), he thanks God for Jimmy. The other day I went to the wedding of Uncle Jimmy’s first pupil who learnt English from him. I was surprised and thrilled when her husband’s parents came up to me and said if it weren’t for Uncle Jimmy she would not be in the place she is today. They praised his teaching skills and were ever grateful to him. In addition to being a perfectionist in the English language, he was also conversant in French and his pronunciation of the language was impeccable. His grand-nephew attributes his success in the study of the French language to the coaching he received from Uncle Jimmy. I cannot forget the last moments of his life. Little did I know that the cup of tea which I was holding for him to drink would be the last time I ever touched him alive. His eyes wandered all over the room looking at everyone there as if to say “good bye”. I truly believe he is with God who has amply rewarded him for making use of his talents so fruitfully. He was a person who took great pleasure in imparting his knowledge in his chosen field to others – be it broadcasting, training or teaching. We all miss him terribly but I am sure he is among
us as he loved us dearly too.
You never lapsed in motherly duties Elsie Dias Abeyagunawardene Ending thirteen years since you- After an illustrious service rendered
as a mother
A good doctor and friend Dr. Kanakasabay Sundaralingham I was grieved by the demise of Dr. K. Sundaralingham (affectionately known as Dr. Sundha). He died of a heart attack at his residence in Gonakalle Estate, Passara. Dr. Sundaralingham was born on December 31, 1933 to A. Kanakasabay (O.A.) and Mrs. K. Rasammah at Karainagar Arugampuram. He was the second in the family. He had his early education at Otakarai American Mission College, Yaltern College and Victoria College Chullipuram. In 1952 he worked at the Bank of Ceylon Colombo. He was selected to the Medical College in 1953. After graduation his first appointment in 1960 as a Medical Practitioner was to Madulseema Estate Mahadowa. In 1962 he was transferred to Sarnia Estate Hospital Badulla. After he retired in 1993 he was appointed to the Gonakella Estate Dispensary where he was employed till his untimely death. He and his wife Rajeswary were the proud parents of Dhanusha, a Mathematics teacher at St. Clare’s and Shyamala, a qualified Architect in UK. Dr. Sundaralingham’s wife was a tower of strength to him. Her untimely death was a blow to him. He was a devoted husband, dutiful father and loving grandfather. The Uva Province has lost an eminent medical practitioner and also a good friend with the passing away of Dr. K. Sundaralingham.
She was always a picture of grace and elegance Irangani Wijewardene I met Beryl Helene Irangani Wijewardene when we were schoolgirls at Ladies’ College. She was a calm, collected girl, who unlike many of us, was always neat and tidy in appearance. Ira was not mischievous or boisterous, she had a quiet, unassuming matter of fact manner. But she did have an Achilles heel, which we soon discovered. She detested her name. If we wanted to make her mad, we would yell “Beryl Helene Irangani” and she would turn red and try hard to refrain from saying something she might regret. We did miss her calming presence when she was suddenly moved to another school much to her dislike. Ira’s marriage to Donald Wijewardene, her cousin, was quite a talking point in Colombo. Although it seemed so romantic to us girls at the time, Ira’s elopement with Donny to Bombay stirred a hornet’s nest within family circles. Soon after their return to Colombo the birth of their elder daughter Nelun, thawed some of the ice. Ira soon settled down to being a wife and mother. She had become an exceptionally attractive young woman with an impeccable sense of style and elegance. Ira had the gift that many of us girls only dreamed of. She could hold a room full of people to ransom with her grace and elegance. She was always well groomed with her hallmark konde kura stuck stylishly in her konde and dressed in a well tailored and draped Kandyan saree. She was an exceptional hostess. At home in Ixora, she would experiment with various combinations of ingredients and come up with some delectable dishes. Her repertoire varied from her legendary cadju curry to complicated cake structures and short eats turned out for her daughters’ birthday parties and mouth-watering courses presented with such style and elegance to Donny’s overseas visitors who would marvel at the various combinations put before them. Her accomplishments were not limited to the domestic front. Her love of dogs made her a stalwart of the Ladies Kennel Club where she was an active member for many years. Ira was artistic. Her eye for colour and design together with her passion to promote local arts and crafts made her a keen supporter of setting up a centre to help local artisans to produce and market their wares. She was on the Board of Management of Laksala taking an active role in nurturing and promoting local handicrafts. She was also right up to her death, a Director of Swadeshi Industrial Works. Ira was a talented multi-faceted human being. After Donny’s death, nearly 20 years ago, she took up a more private lifestyle. To many of us old friends, it was a sad day to learn that Ira was gone and we were too late to pay our last respects. Goodbye dear friend until perhaps we meet again on the shores of the kingdom of our Lord. |
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