A go-getter she gave selflessly to others

She was dynamic, charismatic and pragmatic –full of life and a bundle of energy – she was a lady for all seasons.

Roshana Amina Jamdeen Abdul Gaffar passed away at the Sri Jayewardena Hospital on March 29. She was born to a well known Malay family as daughter to T.H. Jamdeen and Queenie. I first saw her together with the other siblings at the residence of the late M.H. Amit, ex-Member of Parliament and General Secretary of the All-Ceylon Muslim League and later its Deputy President (when Dr.M.C.M. Kaleel was President for 43 years).

Amina was born in Hambantota as the fifth child of Jamdeen and Queenie of a highly respected and distinguished Malay family. She came from the family of Dr. T.B. Jayah, that great national leader and freedom fighter being one of his nieces and daughter of T.K. Burah. Amit’s first marriage was to Razeena (daughter of Jayah). Their daughters Fauzia and Zareena, and grand- daughter Geethanjali, I could observe at the funeral house, were emotionally moved, along with other members of the family when the Sandook was carried from Ferial’s house to the Dehiwela Mosque burial grounds.

Amina was very friendly and hospitable. Whenever I took Amit to Nawala Mosque from Parliament for Jummah prayers, she would take special care to prepare a special dish for me – beef mixed kankoon – a special Malay traditional cuisine, which she knew I liked. I sorely miss it now. These are fond memories which I would always cherish.

Amina was a go-getter. She was an active member of the women’s wing of the United National Party, travelling all over the country to do propaganda work. For all her tireless work, whether she was compensated by the party is a question that will remain unanswered. Her public relations was superlative. This quality was evidently manifested when she worked as the co-ordinating secretary to Mayor Sunethra Ranasinghe at the Dehiwela Municipal Council. All who came to get their civic problems solved still recall with gratitude the exemplary manner in which she performed her duties.

How her stepfather married her mother is a fascinating romantic tale. On that momentous day Amit all of a sudden summoned a few of us – Hussain Mohamed (later Mayor and Ambasssador), A.T.M. Ooisz (Asst.Treasurer of ACML), Mashoor Moulana (Senator) and Katheeb M. Jezuli Salahudeen and said, “Aise, I want to get married; now and here..” We were just flabbergasted. “Don’t worry; the bride is already here in the room...” “Why not you wait a few days and invite all your relations for the big occasion,” we insisted. “No, nothing doing; I am taking her and the children to Hambantota early morning tomorrow, and the marriage must be solemnized now; I don’t want anything to go wrong; everything must be in the permissible (halal) way..”

So, Katheeb Salahudeen opened the Marriage Register and confronted an interesting moment. “What is the lady’s full name and age?” He couldn’t remember. “Queenie, what’s your full name and age?” It was answered by her. “How many children does she have?” was the next question. Six small kids emerged from the room: Shamseer, Ferial, Cannisa, Soraya (girl triplets), Amina and Inthicab. With the recital of Kothba, and Hussain Mohamed and myself being attesting witnesses, the wedding ceremony was concluded! Although all his family members and friends held views otherwise, Amit happily took the hand of Queenie.

Like stepfather, like stepdaughter –Amina was a symbol of sacrifice! She refused to enter matrimony early in life. When forced, she would say: “How could I, when I have to look after my uncle (Amit)?” True to her words, she looked after him more than her own father, by day and night; dressing him up, combing his hair, buttoning his shirt, placing a handkerchief in his pocket, giving his medicine on time. When he was bedridden, she rose up as a true nightingale. I watched her selfless services very closely, as I was a frequent visitor to their Nawala residence to take him to Parliament. As ordered by President Premadasa, Amina took care to place the Sonko (cap) on his head to show his Malay identity (he was appointed to Parliament to represent the Malay community).

Amina was a sharing and caring lady, a giving lady, a benevolent lady and a model unto others.

Amina, your dynamic personality, your sterling qualities, your stirring voice are no more seen or heard today. But, we are certain that for all the earthly good merits you earned, you will receive the highest felicity of Allah Subhanahu watha’ala – Ameen!

A.H.M. Azwer

This is to convey the enormous sense of gratitude and appreciation we feel to James Jesubatham and Victoria Jesubatham, my father- inlaw and mother-in-law who had given me so much of themselves. They passed away on March 22, and April 1, at the ages of 87 and 82 within ten days of each other. They had been married for 63 long years which is remarkable.

Having lost their first born Ranjith in 1955 after a brief illness, they had another son Ravi and three daughters, Romila, Rajeevo and Ramya who were provided higher education, all comforts in life and finally given in marriage. They had eight grandchildren whose welfare they saw to with pleasure.

James Jesubatham worked for A.Baur & Co. Ltd., Colombo for 50 long years joining in 1947 as a clerical hand and retired as a Senior Accountant in 1997-a rare record. Victoria Jesubatham started her career as a Trained Govt. Teacher in 1960 and retired as a VicePrincipal in 1990 at the same C.C. School, in Pussellawa, serving for 30 long years. Their loyal dedication and respect for their jobs were indeed remarkable.

They unitedly served and contributed to the smooth running of their church. Mr. Jesubatham was a Senior Member of the Holy Trinity Church, Pussellawa and served as an Acolyte assisting the parish priest. Mrs. Jesubatham served as a warden and later as the Hon. Treasurer for nearly 12 years at a stretch.

Only during the funeral oration, did everyone get to know that they had donated a large sum of money towards the Kurunegala Diocese to help the poor and needy and the clergy of Kurunegala after retirement.

Both had a special talent for counselling, not only family members but also teenagers and elderly people. They were punctual and methodical. They won the hearts of people showing love and compassion. They stood for what was right at every instance.

We should console ourselves that they have gone to rest with Jesus in heaven after toiling hard and setting an example for the next generation. May God keep their precious souls in His bosom forever. Rajan Selvadurai