END OF A SAGACIOUS CUM LOQUACIOUS VOICE!

Obituary:

RIP MIAN MUHAMMAD AMEEN KALEEM
 
Mahtab Bashir
Islamabad

mahtabbashir@gmail.com
0333-53 63 248
ISLAMABAD

He was a dead-honest and a loquacious person- perhaps that’s why his parents gave him the name “Ameen Kaleem”. Known for his spontaneous humour studded with English phrases, the family members loved to be with him. He was a great story-teller who could share socio-economic to religio-political issues in his own style but through his hand-written letters that has a reverence in family circle.

He was Mian Muhammad Ameen Kaleem- my Mamu- who passed away peacefully on Friday, January 15, 2021 after a brief illness in Gujranwala. His Khatm-e- Chehlum will be observed on Sunday, February 28, 2021.

Father of three sons and two daughters, Mian Ameen Kaleem lived a troublesome life. He struggled within his own family but he spent an overwhelming life in a wider family circle. A God-fearing person, he never used to miss his prayers five times a day, despite how much he worked. He was retired as a Senior Superintendent GEPCO (WAPDA).

On Saturday, June 6, 2020, I went to Lahore to participate in funeral rites of my cousin Shakil Akhtar. On the very next day, I told Mian sb for my departure to Islamabad. He said he would accompany me till Gujranwala. We had an early breakfast and went to Railway Station. We both entered into Railway Platform- but all of a sudden Mian sb refused to get on board saying, “You may go, I will come by road.” This immediate decision made me think a lot. But in November, I chanced to meet him again on the wedding ceremony of Saqib (my cousin) in Gujranwala. But this time, Mian sb looked pale and weak. He has lost his rambling words. And within two months time, he said goodbye to all of us on Friday, January 15, 2021.       

Mian sb fought valiantly against his disease. He spent his last days in his elder brother’s (My elder Mamu) house. According to my cousin Muhammad Ateeq, “Mian sb was well aware of the fact that his days are numbered, that’s why he left behind him a shroud upon which ‘Durood-e-Taj’ was inscribed with his own hard-writing”. He was a gem of a person who could share anecdotes relating to everything of life. He was chirpy, a jolly good person who vanished away so quickly, Ateeq maintained.  

During his ailing days, it was my cousin Aasia (Khala’s daughter) who single handedly looked after Mamu Ameen. We all are grateful for her contribution at this troubled time. Allah- the Almighty will give her reward for her untiring services. My massive thanks go to all the family members of Mamu Rafique’s family who stood beside Mamu Ameen till he breathed his last.   

Mian Muhammad Ameen Kaleem is no more among us, but his values, works and experience shared with us will continue to inspire the present and future generations, and through this legacy, he will be remembered forever. RIP Mian Ameen Kaleem!