His simplicity and wit were endearing

I met Uncle Daya, the well-read entertaining personality in the mid 90’s when I was introduced to him by my parents to source an overseas job for his son – which was described in his own words as the pre-qualifying dowry to make him give his only daughter Dumini in marriage to my brother Shanaka. Today they both have moved on and celebrated 18 years of wedded life a few weeks ago.

He was a gentleman of many talents - great role model in task orientation and an artist of networking; a person of PR and personal touch; a man with finesse and flair. He had many interests and the foresight to challenge the thinking of any individual and create value to every discussion - he was a true gentleman, with a lively curiosity that made him dissatisfied with super- ficial explanations.

That curiosity frequently led lively social discussions down avenues and into areas that, otherwise, would have remained unexplored. I used to enjoy listening to him at family evenings as he took his place in that rocking chair with his pets (the cats) jumping all over him.

I recall this famous saying he used when I told him to go for a medical check-up: ‘My dear, don’t trouble yourself with trouble, till trouble, troubles you’; and life is ‘Que Sera, Sera’ the very words he said from his hospital bed, when I last spoke with him by phone, days before he departed this world on August 5, 2015.

One had only to speak to Uncle Daya to rec- ognise his openness and eagerness. It is easy to mistake this for naiveté, an error I made at first. He was enriched with many qualities and this amazing mix included openness to new places, people, understanding cultures and customs - I am sure this perfect mix was the hallmark that made him stand out in his profession as a great diplomat.

Congratulations Uncle Daya, you lived life to the fullest – a great dad to my sister-in-law Dumini and Duminda; an adorable father-in-law to my brother Shanaka and a man who stood by his wife in good times and bad till the very end.