A man of humour and quiet spiritualism he meant many things to many people

He was a writer, reader, conversationist, commentator and rationalist philosopher. Professionally, he was none of these, but he was known as such among family members and friends.

Gulistan (Duleep) Khan was my father-inlaw, who died on June 17 at the age of 87 after a brief illness. Twentytwo of these years, he spent with me, giving me fatherly advice, much-savoured company and now, memories to cherish.

He was a writer, for many came to him to get letters-- official and personal-written in English. He wrote many appreciations of family members and friends. When someone asked who would write his appreciation, he would say, “My son-in-law.”

An avid reader during his schooldays and throughout his life, he would begin his day by reading the newspapers. Once when the papers were not delivered to the house by the newspaper agent, he called her and, in his characteristic jovial manner, told her she was ‘starving’ him. Such was this retired public servant’s thirst for news and information. He would not miss the nightly TV news bulletins and he knew how to sift through the presentation and say what was an objective news item and what was fake or loaded with political bias.

Since he kept himself abreast of political developments, he could hold forth on politics and sports at any gathering. Of course, he deplored political skullduggeries with the contempt they deserve.

Our dining table conversations largely centred on politics and sports, at times, on English literature, movies and matters life, death and beyond death.

He condemned terrorism and would raise the question how could one proclaim Allahu Akbar (God is the Greatest) and kill innocent civilians. He was not an agnostic, as some thought. His conversations with me, I found, were an attempt to learn more about matters spiritual. His spiritual life was largely hidden and built on the premise that one could serve God by quietly serving others.

During his free time and healthy days, he taught many young people the English language and found jobs for many. And his latent spiritualism became evident when he, on his death bed, glorified God, by repeatedly saying Allahu Akbar and La-ilaha Illallahu.

Son of Badurdeen Gulistan Khan and Haleem Bee, he was the third in a family of three girls – Zareena, Atheeba and Jezeema and four boys – Haroon, Gulistan, Dilwar and Iswar.

An old boy of St. Joseph’s College, Colombo, my father-in-law shared with me many anecdotes about his school life, his attempts to become a police inspector or excise inspector and how he eventually ended up in the Public Works Department or the Government factory in Kolonnawa. In the good old days, a government job was every youth’s dream, as it, apart from the perks, made one a sought-after groom. He married Zareena, daughter of the wellknown Adam Bhai from Dematagoda Road. Together, they shared the bliss of married life for 56 years.

He had a great sense of humour. When friendly doctors asked what his name was, he would say, “My name is Khan and I am not a terrorist” evoking laughter all round. The line became famous after the 2010 Shahrukh Khan blockbuster “My Name is Khan’. He often shared old jokes with me -- and some clean ones with my children, who were the apples of his eyes. Because of his extreme love for his grandchildren – Sumaiyah and Safiyah from his daughter Sheruza, and Naveed from his son Shaliq – I once presented him a fridge magnet which had the saying: “If I had known grandchildren were so much fun, I would have had them first.” He simply adored all children. A Universalist in his outlook, he abhorred divisions that created elitism and caused racial and ethnic conflicts. Perhaps, it was this progressive stance that enabled him to spend his final days reflecting God’s universal love and mercy and exuding love for all.

As I kissed his forehead while a Sri Jayawardenepura hospital security guard announced that the lunch time visiting hours were over, his last words to me through the oxygen mask, were, “I love you”. Three hours later, he died peacefully. May Allah grant him Jennathul Firdouse!