Iqbal Road, Morcellement St. Andre, just like Brisee Verdiere, had become a budding Urdu Markaz [hubs] in the 1960s when SSR decided to introduce the teaching of this language we had brought from the Indian subcontinent. This move would also increase the status of Urdu which was taught in madrassas only and was also the medium of delivery of Jummah Khutbas.
Swabir Goodur and his friends were greatly influenced by their environment which wanted to give a sense of common belonging by the learning, teaching and spreading of Urdu. Like many of his contemporaries, Swabir went to graduate in India, and on his return, he joined the teaching profession and served a long stint at MGI.
Swabir was rather self-effacing, humble, soft-spoken and modest, and he would often make his point with a smile. In fact, a smile came more naturally to him than to many of his friends. The only time he would put on a serious look on his face was when reciting a poem or commenting on a learned Urdu poet or author.
He played a pivotal role in the propagation of Urdu through drama, running competitions namely on Story Telling, Essay Writing, Poem Recitation, Sketch, Dialogue and Live Radio Interview for secondary school level. He was always present where Urdu was the reason of a gathering. He was part of the organisation that brought Pakistani Naathkwans Ishrat Tasneem and Urooj Naz and organised the colloquium on Mirza Ghalib on the150th anniversary of his death. He was also a regular presenter of the popular Aqeedat Ke Phool on our local TV.
Swabir left Morcellement St Andre to settle down in St Francois Xavier Street in Port Louis with his wife Mariam. They were an ideal couple, both Urduphones sharing similar pastimes. Swabir was a caring husband taking upon himself the lion’s share of the household chores.
On Sunday evening on 2 February, the couple had just returned home after attending a national event and were getting ready for dinner. That day Swabir had dined before Isha, which he would usually have done after the prayers. He settled himself in a chair and started making plans with Mariam for the following day. After a short while, he stopped responding. Mariam had not realised that Swabir was gone. Close relatives took him to hospital but the doctor said that he had passed away at home.
Mourners on Monday morning said that they found Swabir lying peacefully on his deathbed with a smiling face. That reminds me of what Allama Iqbal said “I tell you the sign of a believer; when Death comes, there is a smile on his lips”. So long Swabir. May Allah swt give you Jannat ul Firdaus and sabr to those in bereavement. Our heartfelt condolences to Mariam and all those in bereavement.
Dawood Auleear
