It would be naive for me to write anything about the multifarious personality that Late Moulana Masoodi was. There are so many things to remember about him but there is one incident in particular which left an indelible impression on me and changed my life altogether. This incident proved to be a turning point for me, a virtual date line that changed my psyche, my attitude and approach towards the practicalities of life. I grew up in a traditional family atmosphere but being the grandson of one of the most towering politicians of the state, I always pinned my hopes on my grandfather to bring laurels for me, instead of relying on my own hard work I had expected him to help achieve something extraordinary for me. This attitude had its own inherent flaws and I proved to be a mediocre in my studies initially.
Once while playing cricket in my school, the father of one of my team mates scolded his son for playing alongside me. He told his son rather cynically that it was not within his grains to compete with me either in studies or in the playfield for I was a grandson of a veteran politician of the state, even if I was poor in academics, my grandfather would make miracles happen out of me so that my future is safe and secured. As I already said my poor run with studies continued and I hardly managed 51% marks in 12th standard, however I still believed it was more than enough to plough in the limitless ocean of fantasies and secure a seat in the Government medical College harping on the position of my grandfather.
As I approached him with the marks card showing 51% aggregate in 12th standard, I was stunned when Moulana instead of patting my back rebuffed me and asked me to perform much better then approach him for any help. This was indeed the shock of my life as Moulana’s remarks had broken my heart and hopes alike. The buck did not stop here, he further went on to say that he could not muddy his hands by recommending a mediocre student for the prestigious and more importantly sensitive medical seat which is only meant for and should always be for well deserving and hardworking people who deserve it on the basis of their academic excellence rather than on influence and blue eyed connections. I was advised to go back and concentrate on my studies and come back next time with much better performance. My grandfather also said that in the eventuality of securing a seat for a non deserving candidate like me, he cannot afford to risk the lives and safety of the patients I was supposed to treat, any negligence and mishap in that case would tell upon his conscience and he could never be a party to it. The momentary shock even though rattled me initially but for the first time I decided to rely on my hard work rather than the positions of others for achieving something in my life.
This incident changed my thinking and I began to visualize things in proper perspective rather than fantasizing about them on the basis of my own whims and caprices. The concept of dependence on others was replaced by relying on my own hard work and self reliance. Moulana did not help me to secure the medical seat but he did help in molding my confidence and self reliance and self assurance, apart from transforming me into a confident student it filled me with the wealth of self belief and self respect. It could not have been possible but for Moulana’s timely positive intervention. Had he not helped me realize my own limitations, I would have only degenerated into sloth and inaction rather than hard work and diligence, reprimanding rather than indulging my misplaced notions helped me to become what I am today.
I owe it all to my grandfather, late Moulana Mohammad Sayeed Masoodi. May his soul rest in everlasting peace.

Iqbal Masoodi is KCS judicial

Lastupdate on : Mon, 12 Dec 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 12 Dec 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 13 Dec 2011 00:00:00 IST