‘KATCHA AUNTY’ : I WILL NEVER FORGET YOU
She was ‘Katcha Aunty’ to us. She always had a smile on her face and whoever there was she never forgot to give me a hug. Her death brought a heartache that I thought would never be possible. She was very sweet, kind and good hearted at all times
She was the daughter of Late Mr. and Mrs. A.H. Miskin of Badulla.
Mrs. Ngei Mani Cassiere (Katcha Aunty) was my maternal grandfather’s youngest sister. She was aged 89 when a brief illness overtook her. She was buried at the Maharagama Muslim Burial Ground on January 7.
Katcha Aunty was the grand daughter of late Mudliyar A.I. Jainudeen and Mrs. Jainudeen of Badulla. Her brothers were the late Joe Miskin, late Ramjan Miskin, late Jappo Miskin and the late Kassiere Miskin. Her other brothers are Bintara and Tarik Miskin. Her sisters are Lani and late ‘Baby’.
I have often heard my father and mother say that Katcha Aunty gave them a roof over their heads when they were without a home. I was not born then but my grandfather, grandmother with my mother’s brother and my own brother had moved to a newly built house at Hokandara. But they had been unable to live there as the area had been allegedly notorious for the brewing of illicit liquor and they had been constantly bothered by drunkards and they had even feared to venture out in the night. Since my father was abroad at that time and being a law abiding and God fearing family they had been at an utter loss.
Knowing the dilemma my family was in at that time (this was in 1984.) Katcha Aunty had invited my entire family to reside at her residence in a large Walauwa type house in Battaramulla. That was the type of lady that she was, big hearted and generous. If you asked her to do a favour, she would never say No. When anyone scolded her she takes it with a smile and with a pinch of salt. She had a big family but I know in my heart that she had a special place for our family and especially me even though we were her brother’s family.
She was the wife of late M.T.J. Cassiere and loving mother of Tony, Raju, Nizam, Roji, Reza, Zareena and Roshan. Mother-inlaw of Rahila, Silvy, Rafeena, Tuan Arif, Wazeera, Hajireen and Doreen. Grandmother of Imran, Zahy, Hafeeza, Hafsa, Yasmin, Imkhan, Zayan, Afeefa, Shafna, Shifani, Muneer.
Inna Illahi Wa Inna Illahi Raji Oon .