FROM THE HINTERLAND TO THE WORLD THROUGH ST. ANTHONY'S COLLEGE KANDY

PROLOGUE

The first section of this article was fined tuned by Sisira Weragoda based on a draft submitted by the late Mr. Mohamad Zubair, who acquiesced to Sisira's request that he submit an article on his career. The enchanting title of this article was thought of by Mr.Zubair himself and details the story of his academic journey through school and beyond. For brevity's sake, Mr.Zubair in this article will be referred to as MZ.

A TRYST WITH DESTINY

This story has its genesis in the rural hinterland of Akurana nestling in nature's serenity about ten kilometers from Kandy. On the 9th April 1933 a child was born there to a simple couple who at the time, did not have the prescience that their son would one day keep a tryst with destiny by blazing a trail of glory in the world of academia, bringing honour to himself and Saint Anthony's College. The first school he attended was The Akurana Tamil School where he passed "The Fifth Standard Scholarship Examination" which enabled him to enrol at Saint Anthony's College in Standard 2 - a class which then stood near the famous Tamarind tree. When he began his education at College his English was so poor that he could not understand the Teachers request to "Sit down!" But MZ was no ordinary student as the world would learn later.

He joined St.Anthony's College during a period when the world was in turmoil at the height of World War 2. The College premises were commanded by the British Army and converted into a hospital for soldiers. Anthonians of that vintage may remember the large Red Cross painted on the roof of the main block of classrooms as an indication to enemy aircraft that it was a hospital.

From an early age he seemed to realize that there was something within him - call it a passion or yearning for something bigger - that was greater than any obstacle. His young mind dictated that education was the passport to the future and an investment in knowledge pays the best interest. Something told him that if he was not willing to learn nobody could help him. Conversely, if he was determined to learn, nobody could stop him! Then and there he decided to work at his books as if his very life depended on it! There was a spark burning within his soul and he paid full attention to the old adage about 'Burning the midnight oil'. His thirst for knowledge was unquenchable and "the need to know" insatiable.

Unlike the unwilling schoolboy featured in the poem by William Blake titled "The Schoolboy" who detested going to school, MZ was the complete opposite! Like some classical scholar from the golden age of ancient Greece he made such rapid progress in English and the other subjects on the curriculum, that he won the General Proficiency Prize in Standard 4. Maybe Mr. Jim Rodgers who was the strict Headmaster of the Lower School and always carried a cane motivated his success. But this is doubtful because by now MZ was beyond fear of canes. He was the 'Golden Boy' of his class and the favourite of his teachers.

In 1946 MZ was promoted to Form 1 in the Upper School and was introduced to esoteric subjects like Algebra, Geography, Latin etc. He breezed through all these subjects and in 1947 found himself under the charismatic tutelage of the Principal, Reverend Father Angelo Rosati who took the Algebra and Geometry classes. (I am bewildered by the coincidence!! I had a torrid time under Father Rosati in the Maths classes in Form 2 !!). But young MZ had other aces up his sleeve. He was so brilliant in these subjects that he became the 'Blue Eyed Boy' of his Maths teacher and very soon was demonstrating the intricacies of congruent triangles on the blackboard at Father Rosati's request!

This may have engendered some jealously among his classmates, but by now he had won the admiration of teachers and pupils alike for his prodigy. Like a classy batsman at the wicket hitting the ball to all parts of the field, MZ made it to the SSC Class (Present Day 'O' Level) and scored a brilliant century in his educational innings by winning a First-Class Pass at the SSC Examination.

And, similar to the hero in the Play by Robert Bolt about "The Man for all Seasons", MZ proved to be the student for all seasons because apart from his studies, he participated in other activities. He was an active Boy Scout and qualified as a 'Kings Scout'. He was also a moderate Athlete, and the prizes he won each year included those for the Senior English Essay, Senior Physics, Mathematics, and the medal for Tamil Oratory.

His last two years at Saint Anthony's was as a College Prefect, and when he sat the University Entrance Examination (equivalent to the present day 'A' Level) he succeeded with distinction and obtained entry to the University of Ceylon in the Engineering Faculty with singular honour, in that HE WAS ONE OF TWENTY-SEVEN STUDENTS IN THE WHOLE COUNTRY to merit selection. This was his golden 'Journey's End' as a student, and he left college in 1954.

At this point in his life story, one may well ask 'Who is this lad Mohammed Zubair, known during his school days as S A C M Zubair (Of SACK)?

Read on because the world would soon come to recognize the talents of this Anthonian. On leaving the University after graduation, he joined the Department of Electrical Undertaking, now the Ceylon Electricity Board) as an Engineer, serving in many divisions. His forte and favourite field was Power Line Communications, and he became the Chief Engineer. It was then that foreign lands beckoned, and he accepted a foreign assignment in Malawi where he had a stellar career. Following this, he rendered yeoman service to the electrical engineering community as the Chairman of two premier engineering institutions. One was the Institution of Engineers in Sri Lanka, and the other the Institution of Engineering and Technology.

He then founded his own Company Power Cast Pvt Ltd. and was its CEO from 1985 to 2002. This Company under his able guidance and business acumen designed and manufactured pre-stressed controlled poles and became a serious competitor to the Ceylon Electricity Board. The irony of this situation was that in February 2003 he was elected Chairman of the Ceylon Electricity Board, a position which he held until February 2005!

Among his many duties he also became the CEO of The Muslim Ladies College at Kal-Eliya, a leading school in the education of Muslim girls. He never sought these positions. Instead, one could say the opposite was true because these positions sought him and were offered to him purely on merit and totally devoid of any political patronage. Humble in the extreme, MZ was a mild-mannered man of unassuming character with a trademark smile, and his excellent command of three languages endeared him to many.

As a student and during his working life, he rallied round the banner of his Alma Mater by upholding the values, standards, and ethics of St. Anthony's College, instilled in him as a schoolboy. In fact, MZ was similar to the main character in the poem by Sir Robert's Blake, the "Man for all Seasons". In this classic poem the hero Sir Thomas Moore who was the Chancellor of the Exchequer always stayed true to his conscience at any cost, even when his life was threatened by King Henry the Eighth. MZ in the pursuit of his goal did the same whatever adversity he may have faced, held on tight to his dreams, and realized his ambitions.

If William Shakespeare is known as 'The Bard of Avon' and Rabindranath Tagore is called 'The Bard of Bengal', I am sure the world at large will cut all Anthonians a lot of slack if MZ is referred to as "The Anthonian Alumni" (Or the Anthonian Luminary) from Akurana". Just a thought!

Sadly, all things in life are fleeting and Mr. Mohammed Zubair was called to his eternal reward on the 14th of August in London. The news sent waves of sadness to his myriad friends and acquaintances around the world. To his family, the Anthonian community extend our very deepest sympathies. As I conclude this article on a sad note, I can almost hear his voice from another dimension telling us:

"Farewell my friends

It was beautiful as long as it lasted.......

The Journey of my Life".

To which we Anthonians in deep respect and love respond:

"Our joys will be greater

Our love will be deeper

Our lives will be fuller

BECAUSE WE SHARED YOUR MOMENT".

EPILOGUE

My deep appreciation is due to Tom Deen and Chris Drieberg who encouraged me to put pen to paper. I am very grateful to Sisira Weragoda by getting the information about MZ from the great man himself, without which this article would have not seen the light of day. Sisira also replied to my emails with lightning speed answering any queries I had. Thank you Sisira.

And on that note, the life's journey of another Anthonian Luminary comes to an end. The life of MZ is a beautiful memory - his death a silent grief.