My Saify Phuppa!

‘Saify Phuppa’, said Mustafa bhai, warmly smiling like his father as I gave him my condolences on the great loss, and I could say nothing more except, ‘Sabar kijyega’, while my eyes were filled with tears remembering the kindered soul.

When my friends learned about it they all had the same question for me, ‘were you close to your uncle?’ I believe they asked me this because at times people aren’t attached to their aunt’s husband as they are to their aunt and I was not offended by it and replied that, after my aunt’s demise, it was his presence that reminded me of her and consoled that someone is there to represent her even when she is not physically among us. But, as I thought through, I realized that’s not the only reason why I adored my uncle, to say the least, he was a complete gentleman with a warm and kind smile always there, like a priceless jewel spread from ear to ear. Whenever anyone asked him how he was he had the same words like a beaded tasbeeh to his tongue, ‘Shukar hai Parwardigaar ka’. Never have I ever heard him being ungrateful or speaking of his troubles and I was always left with the thought that how could a person’s life be so calm and composed at all times. Never have I ever heard him being loud, or being irritated by someone, his nature becoming so difficult for me to understand that why does he never get angry on us being unruly, like other elders do?

While leaving the premises of the Masjid after giving condolences, an aunty asked me about who passed away and I said Saifuddin Cyclewala, but she couldn’t recall so I said, ‘do you know Mexico dry cleaners?’ And she immediately realized who I spoke of, and this isn’t the first time I’ve experienced explaining my Phuppa to anyone, most people know him by that in Sadar because he was so dedicated to his work, but to what degree, that I learnt it on the day of his demise. My cousin told me that he took the expensive and sensitive clothes that came for dry cleaning to home and would wash by himself in this harsh and cold weather, and I was awestruck, a man in his 80s, facing so many issues with illness could be so thoughtful for his customers.

But that was my Phuppa, who through his optimistic approach was liked by so many people that the Masjid was full when I arrived to recite the last verses for him, it is often said that a person is known by how many people appear for his funeral, and I knew that was right, for a cold morning like this, at 9 am, one could only come out for a loved one.

When Phuppi passed away he was sitting silently, and in a low but strong voice he said, ‘Zulekha (my aunt) looked like a bride, like how I married her, in the white kafan’. As much as I am broken by his death, I’m comforted that Phuppi will be reunited with him in Jannah and I only pray for both of them to receive the highest ranks in Heaven.

While I get flashbacks of the times I’ve met him, I can mostly think of me passing by his store and doing my greetings and he smiling and saying, ‘beta ghar pe upar ao na’, and I refusing to do so like every time saying, ‘phir kabhi aungi’ and leave his shop. What did I know there would be no phir kabhi and I’ll find his shop empty the next time I arrive.

Your ungrateful yet loving bhatiji,

Ruqaiya Lokhand.

To SUCCESS!

Many students think that being a good student means just showing up for classes, taking a few notes, reading the textbooks and studying right before the exams. But, that’s not all…

I had my midterm examinations a week ago. Today, was the day script-checking was to be done in class. Overall, the exam didn’t turn out so well. My chemistry teacher knew how frustrated we were during the exams. He could see the amount of disappointment on our faces. So, as per his habit, he decided to motivate us through a slide show. The slide show consisted of messages which were to reach each student to his/her core. He started with “WAY TO ACADEMIC SUCCESS”.

He explained to us how the geography students would rather ask, what is the ROAD-MAP to success? The mathematics students would ask, what is the FORMULA to success? The chemistry students would ask, what are the REACTANTS and PRODUCTS of success? The nutritionists would ask, what are the INGREDIENTS for success? These questions are just questions. Have you ever thought over the answers to these questions?

Well, the answer is simple. Keep on trying again and again. If you don’t succeed this time, that doesn’t mean you will never ever succeed in life. It’s just that you were not perfect in the way you did it last time. Scoring less marks in an exam doesn’t mean you are wasting your time studying for no reason, it means now you have a reason to start again fresh. Failing to succeed in one exam doesn’t mean you give up and let go. It actually means that it will take a little longer for you to get there. Believe, there is always a way. Due to disappointment, sometimes you think God has abandoned you. But, it means God has a better idea in waiting. You need to have an optimistic mind in this situation at all times.

Sometimes you think all sorts of study curses have come over you. You cannot succeed further. You seem to be loser in your own eyes. Thinking of yourself being an academic dwarf. But this is actually the time to seek and stand on the shoulders of academic giants. You need to figure out what the wrong things were, which robbed you on your way to academic success. Take your time and ponder really hard. Think of what you have done. Meditate! Decide what you want to do.

Academic success depends on your attitude! You need to contrast yourself with the focused high achievers. Your motivation meter should always be HIGH. Class participation counts. Seek help from peers and teachers. You should understand the importance of TEAMWORK. Because academic success is a ladder, where you climb step by step. Each step taking you higher and higher. It is said, “You can’t climb stairs and chew gum at the same time”. It is wise to climb stairs first, as it requires more hard work. Once you reach the top, sit and chew gum, looking back towards all your achievements. Similarly, leave all distractions aside to help maintain a clear focus. Once you reach your goal, sit, relax and enjoy to your heart’s content. Learning strategy also counts! Sometimes you can’t attain success with the same old, failed strategies. So, change your way of learning. That might prove helpful. If you are waiting for the right time, it is NOW.

Success is the aim behind each time you try. Always believe, the largest room in the world is the room of improvement. So, work hard! Focused, hard work is the real key to success. Keep taking the next step towards competing it. The most important thing is being passionate about what you are doing and always give it your best shot! Because, you never know how close you are to your goal. Believe, if you can dream it, you can do it. JUST GO FOR IT!

Alefiyah Rao.