Bohri Bazaar Fire 1958 and 1980

Posted on August 19, 2019 by Amin H. Karim MD

BohriBazar1930sBohriBazar2015BohriBazar2018BohriBazar2019AHKBohriBazarBartanShopBohriBazarShop

Viqar Siddiqui I remember going to Bohri Bazaar with my Mother, as a School Boy in the Sixtees, as a College student in seventies, Later on in the Eighties with my wife, buying household items, knickknacks, etc. but having chat was the highlight, on the way back getting Samosas from NIMCO Corner-original one- was a must.


Here is a copy of post from 2018 BY A MEMBER OF THE Forum; Mr Raza Kazmi: “The first fire was in Bohri Bazar was in 1958 and the other was in 1980.
My father’s brave cousin Aziz-ul-Hasnain Kazmi was in police in 1958 and was in Bohri Bazar when fire engulfed the buildings. The situation was desperate to save lives but fire was uncontrollable. Few people were trapped in one of the building… Aziz-ul-Hasnain bravely climbed the building via sewerage pipes and saved the lives of 11 women and children… the story was in the newspapers. In the process he fell from the building and got injured badly. He was awarded “Sitar-e-Quaid-e Azam” for the recognition of his bravery and service for people.”

Raju Jamil Amin H Karim I well remember the 1958 fire. My mother and elder sister were in Bohri Bazar 20 minutes before fire and chaos broke out—-they had just left for home by cycle rickshaw. When they were at Singer corner there was a huge blast too and some cars speeding up. My dad looked so upset… we lived in Garden Colony. We had no car. He ran towards main Garden Road with his friends till near the main entrance he saw Ammijan and sis in rickshaw my sis was crying. So was Ammijan. Dad too burst out crying. We had no phone even. It was MIR Khalilur Rahman Of JANG who came in his Hillman to give the news. Cars were banned to proceed towards Bohri Bazar. It was hell break loose. Saw headlines next morning. Per memory… over 300+ perished.

 

Posted in Karachi Neighborhoods | Leave a comment

About Our National Anthem

Posted on August 16, 2019 by Amin H. Karim MD

Fact File – About our National Anthem

By Menin Rodrigues

BandArmy

August 14, 2019 – Every year come the Independence Day of Pakistan, we get
emotional (and rightly so) about our ‘one and only’ National Anthem, and in our
enthusiasm create our own versions of the music to stake a claim and bask in its glory!
Usually, it is the ever-energetic youth of our country, our popular crooners and bands,
instrumentalists and our special-event planners who, out of exuberance introduce
various variations of the anthem to the delight of the audiences, live and virtual. It is a
credit to their patriotism that they present these versions because, indeed, each one,
sung or played, is beautiful.
So, here is my point, qualified and quantified:
This day, August 14, 2019, the 72 nd Independence Day of Pakistan, I came across
numerous versions of the anthem on the social media, as well as animated versions
presented at special events, and thought it was necessary to throw some light on facts.
To start with, this is what I wrote on some social media timelines:
All variations of our National Anthem are beautiful, BUT the real version
of the anthem can ONLY be played by a brass band – when a multitude of
instruments, EACH playing their own dedicated parts, come together in a
symphony that is second to none, globally!
It ONLY sounds CORRECT when a military brass band, of any country
(and they don’t need to know the tune) READS the notated music on the
sheets, and play the parts AS NOTATED, period. Recently, I heard the
military bands of the US, Malaysia and Turkey, play our National
Anthem, CORRECTLY – did they know the tune, NO!
So here it is, the music of our national anthem has been notated, separately, for each of
the following instruments, and when it is played together (ably conducted by a music
director in the know how of orchestral compositions) presents the symphony that
heralds our National Anthem, the way it was composed (in 1952) and supposed to have
been played – for all time’s sake!
These instruments (in a brass band ensemble of 50 musicians or more) include,
trombone (2 or 4), trumpet (up to 12), cornet (up to 4), B-flat clarinet (6-8), E-flat
clarinet (2-4), alto-saxophone (2-4), tenor-saxophone (2), French-horn (2), side-drums
(up to 12), bass-drum (one) euphonium (2) and the tuba (one)! Even the ‘Triangle’ and
the ‘Cymbal’ must know when to strike! If you take away a part of any ONE instrument,
there is no anthem, just a tune which anyone can serenade, hum or whistle!

Hope the real value and connotation of the music of our national anthem is derived from
the above information ©

Posted in Contributions by Christians, Opinions | 1 Comment

Victoria Block of Civil Hospital Karachi

Posted on August 6, 2019 by Amin H. Karim MD

By Amin H. Karim MD

VictoriaBlockCHK

The VICTORIA OR THE JUBILEE BLOCK Civil Hospital Karachi originally served as the living quarters for the Nursing Superintendent of the hospital. An additional building was constructed after the partition to accommodate out of city female nursing staff and the whole complex came to be known as the Nurses’ Mess. in about 2000, when it was discovered that one of the walls in the Victoria block bore the commemorative plaque which Lord Curzon, the Viceroy of India unveiled in the year 1900 to mark the platinum jubilee of Queen Victoria, the building was declared heritage-protected by the provincial Department of Culture. Subsequently the resident nursing staff was made to vacate the Nurses’ Mess and the whole block was handed over to a private concern (Patient’s Welfare Society) that transformed it into a Burns Center. Work on the construction of the present Burns Center was completed in December 2004 at a cost of Rs. 100 million. Our forum member Prof. Shaista Effendi-Rais was the Head of Department of Plastic Surgery and Burns Unit at Civil Hospital and Dow Medical College (1984-2006) She played a huge role in raising funds from the private sector and Government of Sindh and her efforts led to the creation of a state-of-the-art 60 bed burns unit complete with two Operation Theatres, one emergency operation theatre, skin grafting, intensive care unit and other necessities. She was also instrumental in forming the Pakistan Association of Plastic Surgeons, arranging undergraduate Plastic Surgery Examinations, introducing fine suture material and pain free dressings;
EffendiShaistaCHK2004

LordCurzonOfKedleston

Photo courtesy of Dr. Ghulam Nabi Kazi.

Posted in HealthCare Institutions | Leave a comment

Frank D’Souza and Pakistan Railways

Posted on July 31, 2019 by Amin H. Karim MD
By Menin Rodriques
Frank D'Souza PIC
FRANK D’SOUZA
Frank D’Souza was born in Karachi, British India (now Pakistan). He was educated at St
Patrick's High School, Karachi. After finishing school with a Matriculation, Frank
D’Souza started to work as a Railway Guard. He was a self-made man and educated
himself over the years. In 1929 he was the first Indian to be appointed by the British as a
Member of the Railway Board of India.
In those days, the board controlling the railways was comprised the Chief
Commissioner, a Financial Commissioner and three Members, one responsible for Way
and Works, Projects and Stores one for General Administration and Staff and one for
Traffic, Transportation & Commercial matters. All the Britishers on the Board were
members of the Indian Civil Service (ICS), which was an exclusive institute. Frank
D’Souza was neither an ICS officer nor a university graduate at the time but was
considered brilliant.
During or after WW1 (1910s to 1930s), the British Indian Railways had reduced the
number of Europeans from Europe and instead replaced them with resident (domiciled)
Europeans, who were sons of railroad men, and Eurasians or Anglo-Indians. As a
member of the Railway Board, in the 1930s, Frank D’Souza was appointed to investigate
minority representation in the railways. His findings were reported in a paper titled
"Review of the Working of the Rules and Orders Relating to the Representation of
Minority Communities in the Services of the State-managed Railways" that was
published in 1940. [2] In this paper, he reported that most of the well-paid middle to
senior level jobs in departments such as Traffic Department or Locomotive (Mechanical
Engineering) Department were monopolized by resident Europeans and Eurasians.
PAKISTAN RAILWAYS
At the time of Partition, Frank D’Souza opted for India and because of the Evacuee
Property Law, which was established by both India and Pakistan, he lost his large
property “Maryville” in Karachi, Pakistan. In 1947, Mohammad Ali Jinnah, founder and
the first Governor-General of Pakistan specifically requested Frank D’Souza to help in
setting up the Pakistan Railways system. Frank agreed, but on the condition that his
home Maryville; be returned to him. Jinnah and the Government of Pakistan agreed.
Upon completing his job in Pakistan, Frank returned to India and donated his house in
Karachi to an order of nuns, the Sisters of Mercy, to be used as a home for the aged.
Later, one of his sons, Reverend Father Ronald Alexander D’Souza, a Catholic priest
who worked in Lahore, lived the last few years of his life at the home.

Maryville

Posted in Contributions by Christians | Leave a comment

The Hotel World of Karachi of 1980s

Posted on July 23, 2019 by Amin H. Karim MD

THE HOTELIERING YEARS OF MY LIFE (1982-1994)
You are actually in a world of your own!
By Menin Rodrigues (April 1994)

Sherathon1984.jpg
Keeping in view the economic gains envisaged for Pakistan as she nears the twenty-first
century, there is no doubt in my mind that the hotel industry here, if conditions favor, is
going to grow two-fold in the next decade or so.

 Just recently, I bid goodbye to my hotels’ career and decided to divulge into a broader
spectrum of the marketing and communications sphere. For the last twelve years, I have
had the unique opportunity of working with the management teams of four of the best
known luxury hotel chains of Pakistan. There have been no regrets. Employment in the hotel industry is just as exciting and rewarding, in many respects better, than working for any other large organization. In hotels there are so many precious moments to cherish – as one gets the chance “to meet the world”.

I started my hotels career with the Holiday Inn Karachi in 1982, moving on to the Sheraton in 1984, then the Pearl-Continental Hotels and lastly with the Avari Renaissance chain until 1994. During these years, I was privileged to have introduced many “industry firsts” and had the rare distinction of meeting some of the most distinguished personalities of the world. Their pictures now adorn the walls of my new office.
Three Pakistani Presidents and four Prime Ministers, several world leaders from President Nicolai Ceaucescu of Romania to President Richard Jayawardine of Sri Lanka; from the Duke of Edinburgh to the debonair Dilip Kumar; or even personal chats with Prince Karim Aga Khan and Barber Conable, the President of the World Bank – all still linger fresh in my mind. Boxer Mohammad Ali playfully punched me in my nose and did magic with his red handkerchief when we asked the boxing legend to sign in the Visitors’ Book of the Sheraton; and England cricketer Ian Botham uttered his famous words “Pakistan is a place where one should send his mother-in-law to” when we mingled at the old Holiday Inn in Karachi. Life in a hotel is full of meetings! Hotel executives tend to sit down for meetings more often than they are required, but nevertheless, a lot is achieved in terms of solving operational problems. Every day, one dashes into an Early Bird meeting or the Morning Briefing as some call it – which lasts sometimes for an hour! Then there is the Heads of Departments meeting or the Executive Committee meeting. The Controllers pin down all and sundry for their Credit Meeting, and the food & Beverage Director assembles his team to discuss, of all things, broken crockery and dirty linen!

While the Front Office Manager meets with his people to talk about reservations and
courtesies, the Executive Housekeeper is always complaining of being short-staffed. On the other hand the Laundry Manager thinks he washes the dirty linen of the entire metropolis and the Chief Security Officer runs his own army and surveillance men! How can I forget the Purchase Managers of the hotel world, “It’s not available in the market but I’ll get one for you!” I have recounted the above satirically with due apologies to my former colleagues, who, without any doubt, were thorough professionals in their area of work. Let me now recall some of the pioneering milestones of my career:
In 1981, the Holiday Inn Karachi became the newest hot spot in town, after the grand ol’
lady, Inter-Con, had turned grey and feeble. Sadru Hashwani’s Holiday Inn gave Karachiites a new taste of glamour and its favorite coffee shop, Nadia and bustling lobby. Between the two it was a winning concept of “to see and to be seen”.
We opened the doors to Juliana’s discotheque and Suzie Wong became a buzzword. Chef
Kenneth Chu was at the pinnacle of his career. We jam-packed the city’s first pillar-less
Crystal Ballroom with the sleaziest of couples on New Year nights, and with the versatile
Mehmood Masood, organized glittering year-end parties for corporate clients. We met with Judy Geeson of “To Sir with Love” fame and spoke about the Oscar-winning performances of Sidney Poiter, Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn. In 1983 when the new-year’s night party in Juliana’s and the lobby of the hotel was ransacked by an angry mob, I was hosting 700 merrymakers in the ballroom! That night, Pakistan changed forever!!

In 1984 I moved to the Karachi Sheraton Hotel for a considerable period of time and
achieved some of the greatest moments of my career. In the mid-80s I produced the
industry’s first-ever in-house glossy magazine “Sejour” and came up with many award-
winning ideas. “Shera-thon” the fun-race is probably the first of such events held in
Pakistan; later several “Runs and Walks” became common social events in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad.
The Sheraton anniversary programs were introduced and it became a tradition. We opened the first “Art Gallery” and displayed “Pakistan’s first solar car” in the hotel lobby. We gave the under-privileged children of Karachi their first “Gift of Love” – a heart shaped cake weighing 20 kilos and flew the Sheraton banner across the skies of Karachi in a branded Cessna plane!
I’ve also had the privilege of introducing the first opera performance and café theatre
production in Karachi, bringing in Joann Grillo, Richard Knees & company from the New York Metropolitan House and Derek Woodward of the UK and Dubai. I remember Joann talking to me in the lobby of the Sheraton about her singing in a personal audience with Indian PM Indira Gandhi in New Delhi in 1984.
When the cricketing nations of the world descended upon Karachi hotels in 1987 for the
“ICC Cricket World Cup” I wrote grapevine column on cricketers when they were off the
fields, so much to write about!
We worked with Hameed Haroon, Imran Aslam, Kaleem Omer, Fifi Haroon and Rimmel and produced “Yesterday once More” it was an epic event to remember. The 2-day spectacular was about events and lifestyles that shaped Pakistan from 1947 to 1987! Yes, also a live (model-based) demonstration of F-86 Sabre dogfights during the 1965 war!
We made squash legend Jahangir Khan a global “Citizen of Sheraton” and carved a
margarine statue of cricketer Vivian Richards in the lobby. The world’s tallest man Alam
Channa (7 feet 4 inches) stood by Night Manager Akber Munir who was 4 Feet 11 inches
then (not really) and Imran Khan sported the Sheraton “S” in a One Day series against the West Indies – for a glass of orange juice as his fee!
All these wonderful years at the Sheraton didn’t go without recognition. I won the world
wide hotel industry’s most prestigious ITT Creative Award in 1987 and went to San Diego
to receive it from Randolf (Randy) Araskog, the ITT boss and one of the world’s highest
paid executives! It was a magical moment of my hotelier career.
Finally, I got married at the Sheraton in 1989, cut a 10-tier cake (reported in the Glamour
magazine as “the tallest cake in Pakistan”) and let 1000 white balloons trickle on us
while we danced the night away.
Moving on to the Pearl-Continental Hotels, I gave them “Bonjour” the in-house magazine
and which went to remain as its corporate magazine. With general manager Wasim Mirza we built a great team and managed a legendary hotel – like a phoenix it was raised from the crummy old Inter-Con to a plush and special hotel. Pearls all over Pakistan had created a brand-new version of a deluxe Pakistani hotel chain. We also opened the country’s first 5- star resort hotel in the Murree hills, the PC-Bhurban. Adnan Sami Khan was a spoilt brat fiddling with his Yamaha keyboard in our offices when Wasim and I worked together with his late father to bring Ustad Zakir Hussain from India to perform ‘Live’ in Pakistan at the Hashoo auditorium. The maestro was mobbed by a screeching audience.

I was with the Pearl–Continentals for just about 12 months, each month as exciting and
challenging as the other. Professionally, it turned out to be a stepping stone for me to win
the acknowledgement of the Avari Management who hired me as their Director of
Marketing for their hotel chain. I joined Avari Hotels Limited in 1990 and for me the experience was like a family affair. The Avaris are passionate hoteliers and respect their employees under any circumstances. I enjoyed working with them and learnt a great deal in fair play. To the Avari Hotels, I gave them their first in-house magazine too, their first Quality Assurance program and the first Private Line Club. But the crowning glory at Avari was winning the contract to do the arrangements for the opening ceremony of the new Jinnah Terminal on August 26, 1992 with the Prime Minister of Pakistan as the chief guest and an audience of 2000 VIP guests.

Hoteliers do enjoy life – good food, excellent ambiance and surroundings, great working
conditions, good facilities, a sure feeling of camaraderie and a rewarding future to the right candidates. You are actually in a world of your own!

RodriguesMenin2018Small

Posted in Entertainment in Old Karachi, Karachi Recalled | 1 Comment

Ayurvedic Stores of Arambagh

Posted on July 23, 2019 by Amin H. Karim MD

By 
Amin H. Karim MD

SadhanaAusadhalaya1983

1983: Corner of Shahrah-e-Liaquat and Arambagh Road. There were stores on the front of Shevakunj Hostel which once was a residence for NED College of Engineering Students. It is later occupied by Rangers, but lately empty building in a poor condition. The herbal stores stand out. One was Shams Ayurvedic Dawakhana which was a stockist for the Sadhana Ausudhalaya Ltd. Dacca. This herbal company was established by Jogesh Chandra Ghosh (1887 – 4 April 1971) who was a scholar, Ayurveda physician, entrepreneur and philanthropist. He pioneered the use of Ayurveda in British India

and founded the Ayurvedic drugstore Sadhana Aushadhalaya in 1914. Other stores like Akbar Store are visible. Hamdard Dawakhana is a couple of furlongs away on Arambagh Road in this neighborhood. There are many non- medical registered practitioners with names like Cheen Health Clinic and German Health Clinic dealing with a variety of diseases in the same area. On the side walk sit vendors with different varieties of cacti and salamanders.(used for their oil). AHK July 23 2019

Posted in HealthCare Institutions | 1 Comment

Karachi’s Babs

Posted on July 22, 2019 by Amin H. Karim MD

Babra Sharif:

By Raju Jamil (2013)
JamilRajuSmall

Over the decades, newspapers, magazines, TV chat shows, morning shows, evening shows, every kind of shows, have displayed a proliferation of B’s images and work she so wondrously accomplished in Pakistan Film Industry.

Having written blogs on some biggies of pak showbiz earlier, when I decided the task of chronicling something about BS, who to me, is the pristine practitioner of our Showbiz limited to the cinema, I dare say I had the temerity to do this because of an innate feeling that the subject by umpteenth counts, deserves to be given a smidgen of the accolades, kudos and praise galore she so well deserves.

Of late, gratifyingly, new approaches and a continuous expansion of her talents with diversifying innovative mannerism, has explored the active role of this actress in generating the meaning, pleasure and various identities for a diversity of audiences on silver screen.

Some may not know that Babra Sharif first appeared on TV playing second fiddle to Roohi Bano when Hasina Moin, inspired by her advert on ‘Jet Washing Powder’ introduced her in PTV Karachi’s one of the popular serial “Kiran Kahani” in probably 1972-73. Babra fully justified the role and stood tall…soon to be noticed by Shabab Keranvi to take bets on her with my buddy Ghulam Mohiuddin in his movie “Mera Naam Hai Muhabbat” which, though a tragedy, touched the Himalayan peak on popularity and there was no looking back for Babs…since then.

For next few decades–we saw Babs rule the film industry so well by alo maintaining her approach we call most mesmerising and loving.

Babs never looked back, kept her head high, eyes on the ground without an iota of anything which uncomforted her colleagues and the film family and worked her way through her God gifted talents, well capitalising on them with an explore of better yet better.

Babs has never been under stress. Perhaps because she started believing that the onus of her success does not rest entirely on her shoulders now. At her age now, she feels less burdened and far more inclined to continue with the great talent, extempore talent, she has been blessed by Almighty.

Babs is always chirpy, far from the madding crowd of Showbiz politics, strictly professional without any political affiliation. I was surprised to her such loving and caring affections those few minutes I met her at Karachi Airport a year or so back—after 1973. She was affectionate and all smiles…which made her look more cute, beautiful and charming.

Babs performances we all have enjoyed and amassed in our sweetest thoughts, carry a medicine of sooth, calm and pristine for the viewers…a very very large number of viewers in the country, in our neighbourhood India and the Americas, The Gulf and the Europe or wherever the Urdu language is understood and spoken. Babs commanded respects for her unmatched and unparalleled outstanding and glorious acts in Films and even in adverts.

As a person, she could be someone like you may have known for ages. Composed, thorough and mildly social as well as reserved and strict to her work.

I first met Babs when she was unknown but it was then that i felt and knew that this young girl has enormous talent waiting to be explored and perhaps God heard me that soon….i was to see her at PTV Karachi in late Shirin Azim Khan’s room doing rehearsals with Roohi, late Zafar Masud and Manzur Qureshi and for some moments and glances she tried to recollect me. I missed doing a role in Kiran Kahani as I was traveling to Rawalpindi for my bank’s work.

I wish Babs a great going forward with tranquility and being suggestive I am, I must insist that she makes a comeback on mini screen to give out all her experiences so well knit in film industry that the viewers will certainly be delighted to yet again see her back in action.

At this point, why it may not matter, but I do register my protest to the authorities concerned that a talent like that of Babra Sharif, has not been duly recognised and its time that it should be done.

Long live Babra Sharif and thank you Babs for all the entertainment and movies galore we saw you give to the country which has literally no film industry left now.
-Raju Jamil

Image may contain: 2 people, people smiling
Posted in Entertainment in Old Karachi, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Michael Ali

Posted on July 17, 2019 by Amin H. Karim MD

Michael Ali

Associate Editor and Feature writer of “Christian Voice”
Masters in Social Work and Journalism, Univ. of Karachi.
He was on our Editorial Board from the inception of this website.
Left for the Heavenly abode on July 6 2019
May his soul rest in Eternal Peace

He will be missed by all of us.

Editorial Board.

AliMichael201901

AliMichael201901B

Posted in Administrative Notes | Leave a comment

Tribute to Daddy

Posted on July 17, 2019 by Amin H. Karim MD

TRIBUTE TO DADDY
by Leticia Ali

Dads are someone to look up to, to admire, to be proud of, to learn from, to respect, to listen and talk to, sometimes to rebel against but most of all, one with whom to share everything this wonderful life has to offer. I am so incredibly grateful and happy that I can stand here today and tell you that I have had all this and much, much more.

Nobody is perfect but Daddy was as close to being the most perfect man I’ve ever known. He was a fine husband, an amazing father, a loving brother, a good provider and, as I’m sure many of you will agree, he was blessed with quick wit and a mind as sharp as a whip. It’s hard to find people who are truly good, decent, hard-working, kind-hearted, gentle and humble – but Daddy was all of these things. My father lived his life to the fullest and was loved by many – a testament to the values and passions that guided him.

Daddy didn’t know how to make a long story short. He had a tendency to make a short story long…one of his more charming quirks that he managed to pass on to me, along with his witty sense of humor. Daddy was always there for everyone, family, neighbors, colleagues, or friends. He somehow managed to stay in touch with hundreds of family and friends across the globe. He was a very social person and right to the end his public relation skills never diminished. He knew about every attendant and patient admitted at both the HDU and ICU units at the Karachi Adventist Hospital where he spent his last five days. He was well liked as attendants from different units checked in on him from time to time and enjoyed speaking to him. He encouraged the young attendants to read and update their medical knowledge, to become better medics.

Daddy also loved to write. A trait he picked up from his father before him. Many people far and wide knew him as a writer and would often ask if he could cover an event and have a write-up for them to publish. Why, even in his final days someone had asked if this was the same Michael Ali who wrote for ‘The Christian Voice’. Another passion of his was that he loved to buy things, specifically books. Those of you who have visited our home can attest to the colossal collection of books he had amassed over the years. He practically built a library for my family and would constantly tell my brother and me to read, that it was the only way forward.

Daddy was a very practical man and thought long and hard before giving us advice- sound advice that has helped to shape my life profoundly. His love was unconditional, and this is something my brother and I will cherish – and take with us forever. His kindness and generosity will be remembered by all who had the good fortune of knowing him.
I cannot begin to imagine not having Daddy on the other end of a phone call, or him not coming home or with any project great or small with which I happen to be needing advice or help. When I think of him, many special moments come to mind and my heart breaks knowing there will be no more.

Daddy was never afraid of death. He always said, “One is born to die” He came to terms with his death long before the rest of us did. He tried to talk the rest of us into accepting it, too. I didn’t want to even think about it, and I don’t think anyone else did, either. I still had hope that there would be some miracle and he would get better. This was Daddy we’re talking about, and he’d fought so hard and overcome so much already.

Of course, he would get better. But he was just too tired. And when I saw him there lying in the hospital bed, so weak, I understood. The night before his passing, Daddy told me he loved me very much and it was time to let him go and he would live in me. The first thing my father said to me the morning of his passing was “Tisha, get me a priest. I am dying, I am already dead, and it is okay, my time has come” and the last thing my father said was “I love You” and fell into a deep sleep to which he never awoke. Daddy had his final blessings and an hour later he was called home to his Creator.

 

It broke our hearts to lose you

But you didn’t go alone.

For part of us went with you

The day God called you home.

 

You left us peaceful memories.

Your love is still our guide,

And though we cannot see you

You are always at our side.

 

Our family chain is broken

and nothing seems the same,

but as God calls us one by one

the chain will link again.

I am humbled by Mum’s strength over the past few days and her ability to focus on the amazing life she shared with my father. I hope that through this I can find strength from her example and my brother and I will be there for her when she needs us.

Daddy: Your love, your patience, your understanding, your wisdom and your amazing sense of humour will live on inside us forever. You have given us gifts that are more precious than anything in this world.

AliMichael201901AliMichaelFamily

Posted in Contributions by Christians | 3 Comments

Jerome D’Silva 1923-2017

Posted on July 13, 2019 by Amin H. Karim MD

By 
Menin Rodriguez 

 

Jerome D’Silva passes away in Canada

Sept 26, 1923 – April 20, 2017

DSilvaJeromeSmaller

TORONTO: April 22, 2017 – Hussain-D’Silva was a name synonymous with quality housing development projects in Karachi during the 1960’s and 70’s. The passing away of its partner Jerome D’Silva last week prompted Patrician Shahid Aziz Siddiqui, former Commissioner Karachi to write, “He was an icon in developing Karachi.”

Jerome Francisco Albano D’Silva, 93, passed away at home surrounded by his beloved wife and family on April 20, 2017. He was born on Sept 26, 1923 in Karachi to Ligorio and Lily D’Silva.

He graduated from St. Patrick’s High School, earned a Bachelor of Arts from D.J. Arts College and completed a year of law. Jerome started his own successful business creating Hussain-D’Silva Enterprises with his partner and school-friend Ashfaq Hussain. They built many landmark housing developments in Karachi notably Hussain-Silva Town, North Nazimabad; the Hussain-D’Silva apartments in Garden West, and the Hussain-D’Silva apartments in Clifton (brought down a few years to make way for the 62-storey Bahria Icon Tower).

Jerome D’Silva was among the several well-known Karachiites during his time who dedicated their time, talent and resources to make a name for themselves, family and community; they made us proud and served both country and community with distinction. His success in Karachi from a humble beginning to becoming a major housing developer was long before the city fell into the hands of what is now known as the builders’ mafia.

From what I have gathered from his family and friends, Jerome was a kind and gentle person, always loving and giving, and making an impact in the lives of others. His family continues with his legacy, and Pakistan having lost one of its pioneering builders of modern Karachi.

Another interesting part of Jerome’s life was that he enjoyed the talkies and produced a few Urdu movies such as ‘Badha Adhmi’ which won a Nigar Award.

Jerome married Yvette (Pinto) in 1953 at St. Lawrence’s Church, Garden East (formerly known as Cincinnatus Town). They celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary on April 19, 2017. Jerome is survived by his beloved wife Yvette and his eight children; his sister Joan and brothers Fred and Ronnie. He has 26 grand-children and 17 great-grand-children.

(This tribute was published in The Christian Voice, Karachi on April 30, 2017)

Posted in Contributions by Christians | Leave a comment