My uncle, the special person in my life
A year has passed since the demise of my uncle M.N.M. Riyal, the younger brother of my father. He was born on November 1, 1946 as the second child of Meera Naina ( t hen Vi l l a g e HeadmanUdatalawinna/ Pathadumbara) and Kadeeja Umma. He had his primary education at K/ Jami ul Azhar MMV, Udatalawinna, and entered St. Sylvester’s College, Kandy for his A’ Level.
He joined the Government service in 1966 as a clerk attached to Moragolla VC Office, Talathu Oya. After a brief period he was transferred to the Kandy Municipality that became his second home. He went on to complete a long and dedicated service of 26 years. ( it could have been 40 years , if not for the break due to the July ’ 80 strike). Uncle served as an Administrative Officer at the time of his retirement in 2006.
He had an exemplary career at KMC, with a high degree of dedication and commitment. His sound professional knowledge and command of all three languages were extraordinary blessings for him to meet the needs of the tax-payers. He was a great asset to his superiors. Further, he never failed to agitate against corruption and malpractices.
Apart from work, he was actively engaged in recreational activities in the council. His honesty and calmness earned him many friends from all walks of life. During the period of unemployment following the July strike, he started a hardware and electrical shop in Kandy. Business being an alien field to him, his shop was often filled with his friends. His generosity was quite extraordinary.
Uncle was a special person in my life. He spared no pains in giving me special joys from whatever the limited resources available. Every year my sister and I were assured of viewing the annual Esala Perahera from a very comfortable location.
He took me to watch many cricket matches and motor races. I still remember Ajith Wadekar’s Indian team playing in Sri Lanka, at our College grounds at Katugastota in 1974, the year I joined the school.
My uncle was justifiably called a ‘walking encyclopaedia’ by his colleagues. Whether it was local, international politics or sports, he could narrate events and incidents with accurate dates and times.
He was instrumental in inculcating the reading habit in me and bought me hundreds of books and newspapers.
Despite deteriorating health he performed the UMRA pilgrimage in 2012 and in the same year, he attended the wedding of the son of his friend Govindasamy in India, accompanied by his wife. In the months before his demise, he travelled to Talawakele on two occasions to attend funerals and did not fail to visit me at my workplace on both occasions.
In the latter part of his life, he was attached to SETIK, Kandy as a translator.
My uncle” s health declined towards the latter part of last year and he was under treatment for a heart ailment. He was admitted to the ICU of Kandy General Hospital and though in great pain throughout, he managed to talk to all who visited him.I had the painful experience of being at his bedside, when the doctors informed me that their efforts to resuscitate him were futile.
Though he could have reached higher positions with his professional knowledge and language skills, he was satisfied with what he received and was a humble public servant with an extremely kind heart with which he assisted the masses.
May almighty Allah elevate his rank on the day of judgment and grant him Jennathul Firdhouse: Aameen !