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Revelry
ends in tragedy The eldest of a family of three boys, Ishrath, 19, was by all accounts a quiet and helpful son, brother and friend, loved by all. “We think he suffered an injury which caused internal bleeding when he jumped into the pool. He could swim quite well and often went for sea baths,” his mother said. Ishrath had left home on that fateful day, taking with him a change of clothes meant for the celebration party to be held that night, said his mother. He hadn't mentioned anything about the traditional ducking after the match, she said. "He would definitely have told me if he had known beforehand. He always told me everything and would never hide anything from me," Mrs. Dawood said. She had tried calling him that evening, just to tell him to take care, but his phone had been switched off. A regular at the match every year with her two younger sons, Mrs Dawood was unable to go this year due to ill health. "Ishrath told me to stay at home and rest," she says. A caring young man, Ishrath would often help out with the chores at home as his mother was not in very good health. "He used to always worry about me getting sick. Who would have thought he would go before me?" a tearful Mrs. Dawood said. He loved to sing and especially dance, said his mother recalling the College Carnival held recently, where he had been dancing on a chair and enjoying himself. He had kept asking his mother if they could stay a little while longer, so that he could have a good time. His mother had given in of course, little aware that it was the last time she would see her son dance. His teachers had always told her, not to worry, that he was a good boy and wasn't any trouble. Mrs. Dawood is a teacher at Royal College herself and Ishrath was keen that she should not retire until he had completed his schooling. Having done a course in merchandising, Ishrath had his mind set on this career. However, he finally chose accountancy and his CIMA classmates recalled how much they had missed him even when he took one day off last Friday for the match, said Mrs. Dawood. "He was a really nice guy who liked to do crazy things," said a friend. He loved new gadgets and was an outgoing person. He was probably too good for this world," she said. nIshrath was always the livewire in organising family trips and class parties, his mother said. He was also involved with organising a party at his CIMA class and had gone shopping with his mother to buy a new outfit for the party, which was to be held sometime last week. Mifthiya Abdul Cader, Ishrath's cousin described him as a people's person, helpful and caring. “Ishrath hardly ever wanted anything for himself and whatever he took up, he did well. He never ran after results or glory, they were not important to him. All he wanted was to enjoy life to the fullest," she said. Dismissing speculation that he may have been after a few drinks when he died, she said, "I can guarantee that he didn't drink.” Ishrath had been made a prefect on the Tuesday before the match. Having performed very well at the Royal Prefects vs. Thomian Prefects match played prior to the 'big-match', Ishrath had been popular with his batch. He was also a fond favourite of the young Royalists who would call him 'Sudu Aiya' . The Royal-Thomian 125th Year big match drew in loyal old boys and their families from around the globe to join in celebrating this landmark event. The present boys and especially the prefects worked hard to make this day a memorable one. An annual tradition was followed, but sadly one young Royalist didn't live to tell the tale. |
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