Eulogy by William Pais
Josephine, Saraha, Talmon, Ramese, Malati John, Jawahar Clarissa, Jyoti, Noel, Alice Bai, Arthur, members of the family, relatives, friends who shared both sweeter and sadder moments of Jay’s life- A celebration called Jayant Martin Francis Xavier D Souza has ended its course, here upon this earth and raised to more blissful chapter of the unknown.
To those who do not know me I am William Pais who was close to Jay, who held him in high esteem who always like to treasure the values he espoused. On all of your behalf, these few words come as a loving tribute to a man who loved life to the fullest and lived it the way it was supposed to.
I am tempted to quote many quotes by the wise but to admit it plainly, Jayant around whose mortal remains we have gathered, was himself a quote well lived. If I can sum up one word to describe his persona it would be simplicity and childlike approach to life, ever ready to learn and ever open. I plead my inability to stand here before you to describe man older than me. As we all share the silence left behind by our dear Jay, I have tried to weave a few words to make sense of it.
Jayant was born on the Feast day of St Francis Xavier on December 3rd 1945. His seventy-one years journey on this earth was marked by number of milestones, which apart from impacting his life also impacted others positively. He was third child of Mr Joachim and Mary Ann D Souza. He grew in a family of five siblings,Malati, Manohar, Jayant, Jawahar and Jyoti.They have been named so, to keep up with swadeshi fervor at time when India was marching towards independence. In the year of Jay’s birth 1945, II world war ended and Jayant so named to make a connection to the victory- Jayant meaning Victory.
His working life involved working in offshore and major part of which was with government of Dubai, where his services were much appreciated.
The house where Jay lived has a long and cherished history. Today, in terms of real estate it could be valued high but Jay attached utmost important to the house he grew and owned. 6-29 JawaharJyoti, by the erstwhile National highway 48 was also known as the Old Church House, for it housed the nascent years of Guardian Angels Church. Angelore. For well three years holy Eucharist was celebrated. Jay harboured a great pride in this old church house would describe its history in detail very often. Today when most of us are tempted by the price of real estate, land becomes valuable commodity than the house, which stands on it. Jayant loved Jawahar Jyoti and all that is part of it so much he chose keep it. He renovated it so tastefully, without losing its old charm and took pride in the fact that he is in a house he grew up with parents and his other siblings. Today every member of Angelore parish needs to be proud of that the fact the place that housed the nascent steps still stands strong as true testimony, thanks to Jayant good heartedness and thoughtfulness. The trees and coconut palms today are the lungs of Nagori, with greenery around, Jay loved trees so much that he further filled the compound with fruit trees, watered them and the result is you have greenery all around.
I am compelled to quote heritage activist the late Vijayanath Shenoy’s thought on heritage houses. He used say ‘ if the interior of the house belonged to the people who lived in it, exterior belonged to people who passed by it’. Jayant’sthought was magnanimous enough to understand the importance of preserving this house.
Jayant was a kind of a man who never blew his trumpet out the open. He appreciated everything beautiful. His camera was his constant companion. He documented everything that appealed him. His photographs were aesthetically appealing and I am sure in thousands of slides he shot, would be an invaluable record of time, especially of Dubai and other places. He was passionate about photography, he had his dark room, developed film rolls and printed enlargements of photographs at home. He was amazed at the play of light and shadow. Today, the photographs he leaves behind, is a testimony of his contribution to the record of time, which a normal person would not do. He was proud of the fact that Rameses shared his interest in photography, takes care of his photographic paraphernalia.
His thorough gentleman-ship respected everyone who came in touch with him, so much so that at times person was so humbled by his simplicity. His quality of respecting everyone around him transcending barriers of class is indeed praiseworthy. Auto drivers were often taken aback by his ‘Namaskar swami’ greetings from elderly gentleman wearing sunglasses with fair complexion who they thought was a foreigner. Jayant endeared himself to everyone who came in touch with him his was a magnetic personality.
He enjoyed little pleasures of life and every moment associated with it. He never lost a chance to appreciate a Falling leaf, humming bird, flowering tree, flowing river, view of the hilltop etc. Life to him did not come banging but in small dosages of happiness well earned and he made the most of it. He was not comfortable with things luxurious and everything about him had to be understated. I have seen him walking to the Kankanady railway station and buy a three-rupee ticket to go to Mangalore central station and enjoy the joy associated with it. He would remain ever grateful to everyone for any smallest favour he received when it came to reminding him the favourshe did, he would brush aside saying it was nothing. He enjoyed good food especially Mangalorean.
Jayant was highly health conscious was so faithful to his medicine and diet. He was well informed on various health aspects. His positive attitude to life came in his good stead to fight the decease he would never ever thought, would afflict him.
But what is decease but a bridge to blissful life,
What is a decease but a preparation for the loved ones to bid good bye,
What is decease but way to understand the mystery of life. ?
Jayant passed into eternity so peacefully, calmly and the serenity simply engulfed him. Josephine shared every moment by his bedside, her loving care alleviated Jay’s pain.to large extent. ‘If only I could take your pain’ she would say often. Josephine, Jay has departed to the world where there is no pain. You shared 39 years of those trials and tribulations of life, joys and sorrows, you both together raised Sarah and Rameses with values. All your personal happiness may have been sacrificed to raise your children as a result of which we have little better world to live. Good family makes good world. On behalf of the entire mankind I would say ‘ Thank you Jay And Jospehine for a giving to the world a good family.
Josephine, we know your world will not be the same again, but rest assured Jay has left you with enough sweet memories to relive with, we all will accompany you in sharing few of those memories, perhaps that would be worthy tribute to the greatest man in your life who his brother Jawahar called Mr Man.
Sarah and Ramses, you lost your beloved father, but the values he taught you will hold you in good stead in the journey of life, share those memories with your dear mother for she will not feel the absence of your dad.
Jayant what a wonderful man you were with a golden heart. How you planned so well to hide your sickness and pain. I wonder and all of us do. I think your technical mind worked a plan to hide the pain you were going through. How did you manage to keep yourself and us so positive? You have set an example as to how to deal with so scary scourge of cancer to be positive and to be hopeful. Your love towards life and the way you enjoyed every bit of it is an inspiration to all of us. You will be dearly missed my Josephine, Sarah and Ramses, your brother and your sisters and all your dear ones. I will miss your interesting discussions over black tea, your waving’s in the mornings when I left home for work. I am aware of the only thing that annoyed you wasbus horns. You leave me with deep regret that the letter you asked me to write to traffic station to contain the bus horns was not written. I promise you that I will write it soon and see that whatever possible needs to be done will be done. Jospephine whispered in your ears you to keep a place by his side above there, of course you will keep a place for her, but yourgenerosity will not allow you not towhisper in ears of the Lord, in gentle manner to keep a place for me and for all of us, simply because no one can ignore your gentle yet firm voice.
Rest in bliss my friend along with your dad mom, uncles aunts, brother and all those who went ahead, and for sure we would follow in your footsteps sooner or later.
God be with you till we meet again;
By His counsels guide, uphold you,
With His sheep in love enfold you;
God be with you till we meet again.
Till we meet, till we meet,
Till we meet at Jesus’ feet;
Till we meet, till we meet,
God be with you till we meet again.