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The Mike-Moin Show of Strength: Who Emerged the Champ?

An RCEM 7-member analysis of 12 episodes (17 to 21-Oct 2006)

(1) From Firoze S:
Hi guys
Remember the days in College where strength and bullying played a major part. The toughest guys in each of the media - Sinhala, Tamil and English – generally turned out to be bullies.
In the English Medium we had Moin Ahamed reigning high. He had hammered the daylights out of the Sinhala medium heroes - NA Ranjith, Dudley Jayasekera, BA Liyanage, Tilak Kottegoda - and the Tamil Medium heroes - N Chenthilkumar and Rajeswaran and was the reigning Chandiya of the 61-Group.
One day when Sam heckled Moin, Moin came out dashing to wreak vengeance on him but his path was blocked by Zarani moving back his chair. Zarani got the works from Moin who vent his fury on him. It saved the day for Sam at the expense of Zarani. Moin was a tiger. Until one day Don Michael Lloyd Walpola suddenly turned up like a raging storm.
Mike, with terror written all over his face, hair shining and sleek-combed back, his short sleeves neatly folded well up to boast full biceps with bursting muscular cuts. And he strode with a measured pace looking for trouble. He looked like a character out of Wyatt Earp's gunfight at the OK Corral in Arizona (where he is presently collecting his dollars). He was gunning for Moin.
Mike was bold enough to psychologically demolish Moin by getting to the last row of the class and throwing chalk pieces at intervals onto Moin's hair, literally inviting him for a duel. Moin used to have this thing about getting mad and slamming at any guy disturbing his well combed bushy hair. Now Mike's chalk attack would have infuriated Moin to high heaven, and, had it been any other guy, he would have been transformed into pulp. But this was Mike whose stature and confidence apparently put off Moin from going great guns at him to the surprise of the class.
Combat analysts like Fazal used to opine later that if there had been a duel and Moin got his first shot in, Mike may have got floored and hit the mat. But that was only conjecture, because Mike was rearing to become the new Chandiya by trouncing Moin. Moin's reluctance to take a shot at Mike evidently made Mike the champion by default.
By this division, the English Medium strength became weak vis-a-vis other medium tough guys. In Moin's gang, except for Sam who maintained a friendly rapport with Mike, Fazal, Zarani and Chaman were all hell-bent against Mike but they together were no match for him! So Sam decided to play the mediator and, after having some private discussions separately with both guys, arranged for reconciliation. Mike, Moin and Sam met at the Majestic cinema in Bamba at 3-pm. Mike bought the Cokes. Sam sat between these two heroes and then Mike offered Moin a fag reaching across Sam and Moin took it building the bridge of friendship. After the show, Moin took Mike and Sam to his burgher GF and introduced Mike.
The next morn at College, Mike takes a secret bet with Rifky that he'd bunch Moin, which, to Rifky's imagination was unbelievable. He gladly takes that bet, (whatever it was Rifky should tell us).
And, to the consternation of the class, there went Mike bulldozing into Moin! And they witnessed both these giants having a good hug and embrace and a final laugh at Rifky!
It was a beautiful day to see Mike joining Moin and his gang.
The next day we saw the Tamil Medium toughie Chentilkumar making overtures to Moin for a duel. Mike was there beside Moin. Mike threatened Chentilkumar that if he tried any tricks with Moin he, Chenthilkumar would have to first reckon with Mike. Chentilkumar withdrew in fear, but the guy was a coward.
When Mike visited the Bamba flats with Sam that eve Chentil appeared with the gang that hangs about the Flats headed by Jeffrey Zarin, Logasingham black as midnight, and others and tried to threaten Mike. The matter was diffused and there was no fight. Later the gang at the Flats became friends with Mike.
This piece is from what I can remember. Others may be able to add to these episodes.
Over to you guys.
Luv to all.
Sam
17.10.2006
(2) From Moin A:
Sam,
I was never a bloody bully in class. I was a friend of the down trotted and always made sure no bugger trampled their toes. It was Mike who was the bloody bully of the class & I had to intervene on several occasions to cool the bugger.
Chaman, Izza, Whoppy.........what do you guys have to say.
If ever Mike had hit me, I would have killed the bugger. Of course, I avoided a confrontation for all peaceful reasons.
Cheer.
Moin
18.10.06
(3) From Rafil H:
Dear Moin
The tone of the mail suggests that the “venom” is still lingering in the thorax .Ha Ha
You are a much stronger guy now with a renewed “throb”
Cheers buddy.
Rafil
18.10.06
(4) From Eric M:
Dear Moin,
You took the words right out of my mouth, and beat me to the punch (or rather, e-mail), by just a few minutes!
I was going to say - "There is one big difference between Moin and the Other Guy (whose name I won't even mention). The Other Guy was the biggest bully in school, and Moin never was a bully".
Although it may have come across that way, you can be sure that Sam NEVER intended to call you a bully - he just meant 'tough guy'.
Your description of yourself is perfectly accurate, and everyone will agree with that. Most bullies are cowards, and the Other Guy was a coward. He challenged or bullied only those he was convinced were weaker than him. I have seen him back down and retreat from a challenge by a big fat tough guy one class below us by the name of John Jilla, who was bigger and stronger than him.
Sam, I take it that the 'Sam' you refer to in your piece is one A.F. Sameer. In addition to your many talents, you are a PEACEMAKER. So stand up and take credit for yourself man, don't be so modest! Don't refer to yourself in the third person! As Christ says in the Bible, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God". I am convinced that if given a chance, you could even bring peace between Israel and the Arabs, and win the Nobel peace prize for it!
You are also the most forgiving person in class, forgiving and excusing the faults of others, when many of us still carry grudges against classmates. Again, as Christ says in the the Bible, "Forgive others so that you yourself may be forgiven" (by God). When his
disciple Peter asked Jesus if we should forgive seven times, Jesus replied, "No, seventy times seven!".
I am sorry I never witnessed Moin licking the other tough guys, and I know he would have licked the Other Guy, if it came to that.
With a few changes in wording to make it clear that Moin was never the bully, this would be an excellent piece to add to the Blog.
I hope you live to be a 100, Moin. (And Sam and everyone else too!)
eric
17.10.06
(5) From S Jawahar:
I agree with Eric entirely.
Sam, wrong choice of words. Moin was no bully. Not by a mile. Of course we all knew of his quicksilver temper which could go from 0 to boiling in 2 seconds flat. Once Moin and I both wanted a chair in one of the classrooms. I had possession but Moin wanted it. He yanked it from my hand with such force that he took away a bit of my nail. Quickly realising that discretion was the better part of valour I did not contest the claim. Moin, do you remember?
Jawahar
19.10.06
(6) From Fazal I:
TALKING OF GIVING A LICKING WHEN IT COME TO A SHOWDOWN WITH FISTS; THE ONLY THING I KNOW WHAT MOIN WOULD WANT TO LICK IS "YOU KNOW WHAT"
AND I AM SURE HE COULD GIVE A BLOODY GOOD LICKING BEFORE THE F...ING;
CHEERS
FAZAL
19.10.06
SORRY I FORGOT TO CONFIRM THAT MOIN WAS NEVER A BULLY; SINCE HE WAS TOUGH HE UNFORTUNATELY WAS DUBBED AS A BULLY;
FAZAL
19.10.06
(7) From A Bala:
Subject: Neither Was The Don A Bully !
Jawahar wrote that Moin was not a Bully. Neither was the Don, who had his fun, teasing whomsoever he wished, including the Tough Moin. Moin never liked this.
But, if there was a confrontation? Moin, what did you say? You would have killed him? In fact, there was one.
The teasing became more intense since Moin chose to ignore. But, one day, it reached a peak and Moin really lost his cool, got up and started abusing Don.
His every other word was a "Bloody". The whole class was quiet, watching intently. The Don got worked up, went close to Moin and stretching his hand forward and opening his fingers and showing his palm said "I will make you dance on my palm." Still Moin chose to keep quiet, for reasons known to him. Yes, I thought better sense prevailed and if only Moin chose to do otherwise, then i am afraid, we would have had to carry painful memories with us.
So, the Don remains No.1 and come on! you have to give the devil its due.
Moin, cheer up! you were the only one measuring up close to the Don and that's why he was picking you up. The rest were nowhere close to you both, barring Peiter.
Luv,
Bala
19.10.06
(8) From Moin A:
I don't remeber any of these bloody things. I wan't to hjear from that bugger Mile. I am provoking him and the bugger is keeping shit silent. The bugger is now fully worn out.......can't lift a finger,,,,,,,,leave alone his xxnis......
Chicken............wake up and say something. You say the wrong thing and I will come over there and blow your balls away.
Cheers
Moin
20.10.06
(9) From Rafil H:
Moin
Cool it man. We are all now in the prime of our maturity and let bygones’ be bygone’s.
Rafil
EID MUBARAK TO ALL .
20.10.06
(10) From Moin A:
Rafil.......just joking. Trying to wake the Don with this threatening stuff, Not heard the bugger for a long time.
Cheers
Moin
20.10.06
Eric, Jawahar, Izza.......thanks for the nice things said. I think I deserve to be cleared.
That bugger Sam is trying one of his 'James Bond' stuff on me.
Will pitch the bugger flat if he calls me a bully again.
Love you Sam.
Cheers
Moin
20.10.06
(11) From Firoze S:
Hi guys!
What's all this fuss about our good pal Moin Ahamed turning out to be a "bully" ! And why is our dear Moin getting all het up for no reason?
I believe some of you guys are not really reading what you see on the screen, but transforming whatever I wrote into some fascinating figment of imagination. Tell me guys truly where have I referred to Moin Ahamed as a bully?
I'll quote my first para for you erudite guys to re-read what I wrote: Here goes and read every word very, very carefully: "Remember the days in College where strength and bullying played a major part. The toughest guys in each of the media - Sinhala, Tamil and English - generally turned out to be bullies." The toughest guys in the class generally turned out to be bullies. That's the key phrase OK? Generally turned out. Who generally turned and who didn't?
That's for you guys to decide. There was no direct reference to Moin whatsoever as a bully, and I can't reconcile why Moin has to get so upset, unless the cap suits him! :-)
Okay dear Moin, I endorse that you were not a bully if that would please you and give you a good sleep. :-) But were you really an absolute goody two shoes? When you relate that Mike bullied me and gave me a shove and you did nothing to prevent him and probably enjoyed the bullying [Remember those who stand and watch also serve!]; When you came bounding at me to smash me simply because I heckled you in words and your only response was to use your fists and good ole Zarani blocked your path and got the merry works from you. What pray would you call these actions which are culpable and you are forgiven for those minor infractions dear boy. Just forget it and cool it man! :-)
Luv u Moin
Sam
NB - By the way Moin I'm glad to see you using color in your responses now.
Luv U again
Sam
20.10.06
(12) From Moin A:
I told you guys. This bugger Sam is up to 'James Bond' stuff. His twisting & turning of words is too complicated for me. Sam, why don't you take up to Politics, where you can twist and turn the poor masses all the time.
By the way, I choose only one colour at a time. I don't see multicoulours all the time, like getting hit on the face by a train.
Love u guys
Moin
21.10.06

S.S. (Chandra) Perera an icon of Royal College

On a somewhat chilly evening last week, I made a slow trek despite intermittent showers to meet S.S. Perera yet another icon of Royal College.

S.S. Perera

Better known as Chandra, to his friends, he now leads a quiet life with his wife at Clifford Avenue, in a fast changing environment. Unheard and unsung, the octogenarian spends much of his leisure time playing with his grand-daughter, Maydini. She keeps her Appachi alive. Watching Tv childrens programmes (cartoons) is a source of mental relaxation for Chandra. Perera has had a cherished history at Royal College.
His father, G.G. Perera, played cricket for Royal From 1908-12 excelling on and off the field. Endowed with a rich cultural heritage his maternal aunt (Loku amma) married Simon Hewavitarne, brother of legendary Anagarika Dharmapala.When I stepped into his abode he was in the company of another diehard old Royalist.
Chandra still regularly attends Royal College Old Boys Union, meetings. One of its oldest members, he is also one of its most vociferous. His latest project is the Royal College Archives and its future. A proprietory-planter by profession, Chandra had an abiding interest in printed material, published records and statistics. His collections pertaining to the history of Royal College is probably unique, something that can only be treasured, not measured. No wonder the Stately school picked him to write and record the history of Royal College to coincide with the 150 years of Royal College.
Chandra joined Royal in 1932. He played a match or two for Royal in 1941, in a team studded with stars under O.W. Wambeck's captaincy. He jocularly recalls that year saying he was more often carrying the drinks than playing. In 1942, under Gamini Salgado, he was virtually a scorer. An early start to his life-long interest in keeping records.
His first love was cricket. Be it at Royal or for Sri Lanka, Chandra has earned world acclaim for his rare collection. A local Wisden, Chandra's services have been retained by the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka (BCCSL),Universities and Clubs. He played cricket for Panadura SC and did much to uplift its image in its formative years. Later, as he began his planting career at Weligama, Chandra became Matara SC's representative for the BCCSL. He believes in that old adage "Humility at all levels". This, he says, is what was taught to him by his parents, and the then masters at Royal. "Discipline. No nonsense. No excuses", that's his credo, something on the wane today even at school level.
Q: What kind of school was Royal College during your time?
A: Royal College was a secular school open to all races and religions. It is so even today.
Q: Who were your contemporaries ?
A: Late Elmo St. De Bruin (who passed away in the West Indies). He played cricket at College. Later, he became cricket and athletics master-in-charge. Gamini Salgado. He's another well-known planter. He later coached Royal cricket.
Q: You have an amazing collection of books and records of the History of Royal College.
A: Yes. I continued the good work of my father. He had a fine memory.
Q: How long did it take you to write the History of Royal College 1835-1985?
A: 12 years. I am thankful to the Sri Lanka Archives, The Colombo Museum Library and the Library Services Board. The Royal College Union assisted me. It was not a money making book. I spent much of my time and energy to make it a reality. The book is dedicated to our pioneer principals, whose love and devotion laid the foundation to make Royal College what it is today.
Q: The Janashakthi Book of Sri Lanka cricket. That's another achievement of yours. It has gained World recognition.
A: To this I owe a debt of gratitude to the Old Thomians and Sri Lanka Cricket, and to Chandra Schaffter and his son Prakash..
Q; You took to politics as well?
A: Well, yes, I contested the Weligama seat in 1970, and got caught to a landslide.
Q: And your planting days from 1944-72.
A: In Hallala Estate, Weligama. I was the Chairman of the village committee for many years. It was a
Communist Party stronghold. We were never paid a salary unlike today.
Q: Who was your cricketing idol?
A: Sir Donald Bradman. Despite his exploits he still led a humble life, until his last breath. Among the Sri Lankan cricketers late Sargo S. Jayawickrema.
A proud product of Royal, Sargo, had a rural upbringing and showed simplicity at all levels has to be admired. His name has to be treasured, be it at Royal, SSC or Sri Lanka.


Sunday Times Nov 19 2006

Nostalgia

This is what really happened....
Izza, Sam,I and I think it was Chaman, had cut school & were at Whoppy's home in Wellawatte, preparing to go some place ( I can't remember...maybe as usual a 10.30am movie, Zoo or Beach party).
While at Whoppy's, his father come in and we were taken upstairs, out of the window and onto the 'Sun Shade', hidden away from old man's sight. We stood there for almost half hour till Whoppy's father left the house. This photo was taken by either Chaman or Whoppy while we were lamenting outside on the Sun Shade.
Check the fore arms of the Mighty 'Jamis Banda' and 'Kahutta Izza'...... only skin & bone.....no meat !!!!