SRI LANKAN WHO CARVED AN INDELIBLE REPUTATION IN KARACHI, PAKISTAN
View(s):Education is a very noble profession that shapes the character, caliber and future of an individual. “If the people remember me as a good teacher that will be the biggest honour for me”. (A. P. J. Abdul Kalam – Former President of India)
Yes, no doubt, teaching is a noble profession. But, not all teachers fall in to the elite category of ‘excellent’, which should comprise the qualities of dedication, enthusiasm, care, resourcefulness and kindness. There is a humble Sri Lankan whom I met in Karachi in 2001. He had achieved greater heights in the, second to none profession in the world, Teaching. He is my good friend, Angy, Angelo Rayer to be exact. I am so lucky to have associated with a thorough gentleman of his caliber and his pleasant and caring wife Rose for the past 18 years. I will never forget the personal care and the warm friendship with love that both of them gave me during my lonely three years of official stint there and even now.
On completing his A/Levels at St. Josephs’ College, he entered the University of Ceylon where he was Vice President of the Science Students Union and was fortunate enough to join his Alma Mater, St. Joseph’s College Maradana as A/Level Mathematics Teacher in 1962 until he resigned in December 1982 to take up a challenging assignment in Karachi, Pakistan. He also performed his duties as Master in Charge of Cricket from 1963 to 1982. He became a member of the SL Schools Cricket Association in 1965 and held the post of its Secretary from 1967 to 1982, unchanged. During his tenure as Secretary of the Association he was thoroughly involved in inaugurating the All Island Schools Under 13, 15 and 17 Cricket Tournaments (which is in operation unabated even now). He toured India and UK with the Under 19 All Island Schools Cricket Team, in the capacity of Assistant Manager in 1970 and 1982.
On the personal recommendation the then Bishop of Karachi, His Lordship Late Anthony Lobo, he was recruited as A/Level Mathematics teacher at St. Patrick’s High School, Karachi in January 1983. While in Karachi Pakistan he was a Senior Teacher at St. Joseph’s Convent School as well, while his full time dedication was with the above distinguished High School, as Senior Mathematics and Physics teacher for Grades 11 and 12. In recognition of his untiring and yeoman services rendered to St. Patrick’s High School, he was bestowed with the prestigious position of Dean of Advanced Level classes from 1998 to 2012 and from 2016 until his retirement, he was Head of the Upper Cambridge Section of the School. It was a great honour for a humble Sri Lankan who dedicated his entire adult life for the education and well being of students. A teacher and mentor par excellence, of impeccable integrity!.
However, while Angy was in Pakistan, Rose and her two children were near victims of the bloody, shameful and dirty riots in July 1983. Thanks to a few good Sinhala ‘Samaritans’ (family friends) they managed to overcome that chilling agony and finally left the country at the end of 1983, a blessing in disguise for a very religious minded family. He and his caring wife Rose who had been a live wire at Avari Hotel Karachi (since her arrival there ) have been distinguished residents of Pakistan.
I know a few old ‘Josephians’ and also had met a few of his students while in Karachi who did not hesitate to keep their loving, beloved and erudite ‘Master’ in high esteem, a great ‘Honour’, to a good teacher as President Kalam said – “He would have inspired thousands of hearts during his unblemished teaching career”.
There is a saying, “A good teacher is the one who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way”. Angy, is no exception. He is an epitome in the sphere of education. So, the following certificate that Angy received from St. Patrick’s is an explicit manifestation of the immense services rendered by him. From the bottom of my heart I wish, ‘still young couple’ good health and happiness in the years to come. God bless you my dear Angy and Rose.
Let me end my ‘appreciation’ to my friend, Angy with the following great words (of an unknown to me) which is a fitting tribute to an exceptional creation of Almighty God. “The scent of flowers does not travel against the wind but the fragrance of good people travels even against wind. A good man pervades every quarter.” – Lalith Fernando