IN MEMORY OF LATE MAHDIUL AZIZ CHISHTI (3N): Mubashir Ahmed Khan (2E)

Our dear colleague M A Chishti passed away on the 1st of January 2020. (Inna Lillahe Wa Inna Ilaihe Rajeun.) He was buried in Greenford Windmill Lane (London) Cemetery on 4th January. May his soul rest in peace. Amen. All our sympathies are with the bereaved family.

Late M A Chishti (known as Chishti Bhai) was one year junior to me at Marine Academy, Juldia, Chittagong. He was a smart cadet. I had seen him playing guitar and singing English songs. He was sportsman and a good football player. In the Dining Hall of the Academy, for lunch and dinner, I would sit at the head of the table ( being Cadet Captain) and he would be sitting near me. He was a nice person to chat with. Once he told me that his elder brother was serving as purser in the Pakistan International Airlines. In my Article, “I REMEMBER MARINE ACADEMY JULDIA CHITTAGONG (3)”, I had mentioned that I had kept a note book in which I would write “Thought of The Week” and its explanation. I remember one Friday morning when all the Cadets were waiting for the Commandant in the make shift auditorium (Senior Engineers’ class room), Chishti Bhai came and sat with me on the bench. He was keen to see my note book and read the explanation of the “Thought of The Week”

My last meeting with M A Chishti took place in 1969 at Jacob Lines, Karachi where most of the Bengali Marine Engineering Apprentices were living. I remember him saying that he had developed his muscles by chipping on board ship. He was either cadet or third officer then.

It was about three years back that I had the pleasant opportunity of attending the 40th marriage anniversary function of late M A Chishti. The function was held in the hall of a Bangladeshi Community Centre, near Earls Court, London. Mrs. Chishti and sons were present. We saw the two daughters-in-law also who were both Britishers and dressed in saris. The function consisted of music, dance, speeches and dinner. The guests were mostly relatives and family friends. Only three Mariners were present, myself, Captain Fazlur Rahman Choudhary (1N) and Captain Ghulam Hussain (11N). I too made a short speech. One female guest told me that my speech was interesting and it should have been longer. I observed that Chishti Bhai had become so weak that he could not walk without support. Interestingly, when I spoke to him in English, he would reply me in Bangla. I don’t know whether he had recognised me or not. What amazed me was that despite poor health condition, Chishti Bhai managed to dance with Bhabi. Later on, myself and Qasim Bhai (3E) were planning to visit him but unfortunately it did not happen. I feel sorry and regret that I could not attend the funeral of late Chishti Bhai, the reason being that I received the news of his passing away after the burial. I sent a few messages to his family but received no reply.

Late M A Chishti was a truly professional master mariner. He was tanker man and commanded a good number of ships for many years. I don’t know if he ever took a shore job. Chishti Bhai will always remain in our memory, Insha’Allah.

Mubashir Ahmed Khan (2E)
London 05.03.2020
Email. mubashira2050@gmail.com