The ongoing visit of brother Mohammad Ramli bin Othman, with whom we have a an association of more than four decades is more than a home coming. While Ramli found most of us weighty, it was a pleasant surprise to see him slim as he was four decades ago, vibrant, radiating, energetic, smiling and witty, recalling old days with such clarity as if it were just yesterday that we were together..
While Ramli had been hosting many of us visiting Malaysia, the specially arranged get together by Arjmand Iqbal of 55 Twin City Chapter, assisted by Arbab Zahid and Mohammad Asif was one of the widely participated local get together at Islamabad to welcome Ramli. Ramli is here to attend a two weeks law course at NUST.
While Ramli had been hosting many of us visiting Malaysia, the specially arranged get together by Arjmand Iqbal of 55 Twin City Chapter, assisted by Arbab Zahid and Mohammad Asif was one of the widely participated local get together at Islamabad to welcome Ramli. Ramli is here to attend a two weeks law course at NUST.
The get together was held at the roof top of the Islamabad Club golf club and was attended by almost four dozen local course mates in addition of vising Altaf Rehman from USA and Tariq who came all the way from Lahore to grace the occasion.
To honour the visiting brother Shoaib Mumtaz announced hosting a dinner for Ramli
Ramli writing away his address details for Lieutenant Waheed while Tariq Sher watches
Visiting Altaf Rehman posing with Waheed and Ramli
At the end of the dinner, a beautifully wrapped gift was presented to Ramli. Thereafter everyone joined together for a final group photo. The bad light and fragile cell phone cameras flash could not capture the group photo taken at the end of the get together. I wish I had taken along my camera as I once used.
Earlier Tipuites hosted a dinner in Ramli's honour at Rawalpindi Golf Club. Some of Ramli's platoon mates of Khalid 2 and later Tipu platoon joined and reminisced the days of some 42 years old and thence.
Ramli also took a time out and visited ailing Zaheer ul Islam with a few of us
On Sunday 8 October, Ramli visited Lahore on special invitation of Lahore Chapter and a large number of Lahorites hosted Ramli a wonderful brunch at Lahore Gymkhana. As reported by Tariq Fazal, Zahir Khan and Maqsood received him at the airport. After freshing up at Zahir's place he was driven to Gymkhana club where his arrival was sounded by joyful cheers of a very large number of course mates. Unspoken language of warm hugs and handshakes expressed deep sentiments oozing out on reunion with a long lost brother after lapse of four decades . Everybody yearned for a photo opp to preserve these precious moments and Ramli obliged all.
It was a pleasure to note that our brother has excelled enormously in business as well as intellectual pursuits. Law is his forte, that brings him to be a member of the teaching faculty of his country's National Defense university. He is expected to soon revisit Pakistan accompanying Malaysia's army chief on his visit to PMA.
some of the photos uploaded by Ashraf and Zahir are as under:
Due to paucity of time, Ramli could not visit Karachi where another large part of the 55th family eagerly awaited to meet him. Mindful of sentiments of Karachi, Ramli has sent a message of being with them the next time he comes to his second home - Pakistan.
Shoaib Mumtaz hosted yet another dinner at the Garrison Officers' Mess, Rawalpindi (aka Artillery Mess) which was attended by more than thirty course mates. Saleem Sarwar who could not attend earlier get together at Islamabad and Lahore made it to GOM to meet brother Ramli. Mumtaz Bajwa who was earlier away from town also made his appearance.
Shoaib Mumtaz thanked brother Ramli for sparing time and attending the dinner, while Ramli also reciprocated with warm wishes for all of us and promised to be with us again very soon. Before dispersing, we a had a usual group photo taken at the entrance of the GOM. Some photos are slightly blurred and this could be accepted as at this age our grip on cameras is not as firm as required for clear and crisp photos !!
Ramli at the end of wrapping off his visit to Pakistan will witnessed passing out parade at PMA for which necessary coordination at PMA has been done by Mujeeb, whose cadet is now the PMA commandant and Mohammad Asif. In photo above Ramli poses in front of Khalid Coy, which was his first term company.
Before finally departing from Pakistan, Farrukh Hayee once again hosted a dinner for Ramli - photos taken on the occasion are as under
Ramli left Pakistan with many good memories of most of his course mates not seen since last four decades and also retraced his footsteps at Pakistan Military Academy, which brought him in friendship with over two hundred of us many many years ago.
We wish him and Ismail and their families the very best of luck and life and hope we shall meet again - God willing.
Ramli at CIP Lounge, Islamabad International Airport before flying home
5 comments:
Missed all these nostalgia infested GTGs. Have been away from civilisation (Islamabad and Lahore) for sometime now. Will be returning home in a day or two.
great occasion and joyful moments very well captured and posted, thank you Jalal.you always rise beyond ordinary gestures.
Thank you Ramli for the opportunity and for making it happen.
Special gratitude and thanks to Asif and Arjmand who seized the opportunity and converted into a great togetherness.
Thank you Jalal for an eloquent summing up of Ramli's ongoing visit which re-kindles the comradeship spread over four decades and exists beyond the geographical boundaries. Ramli has been in touch with his Pakistani brethern through social media in the recent years and a welcoming host to the visiting friends or their offsprings to Kuala Lumpur. The participatory enthusiasm demonstrated at the twin cities and Lahore get togethers are indicative of Ramli's popularity and an ever growing spirit of comradeship. Ling live the spirit of 55.
Thanks Jalal for sharing the complete coverage of visit of Our great course mate n Brother Muhammad Othman Ramli of Malysia after almost after 40 years.
After reading the blog n seeing all the pictures n reading the heart warming stories i can simply make out the love of complete course for our comrade Ramli.
What a great sight to see every one cheering, laughing n enjoying the ocassion.
Ramli was more than welcome at Islamabad and Lahore. Both chapters welcomed him open arms and he reciprocated with his usual jolly style. We look forward to Him and Ismail making it to Pakistan once Corona virus disappears
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