Mathew Lobo – Why he meant so much to us Goethalites.

The first time I saw sir was probably in the year 1960 or 61 when he used to come to Goethals with his Alsatian, I think, Judo was its name. Sir used to throw a ball to Judo and he would jump to catch it in his mouth. Sir used to hide and we used to be thrilled when Judo would search him out.

In 1962 he became our class teacher. Three years with Mrs. P. Roy and two years with Mr. McKenzie had made us cyphers in Math’s. It is with utmost pride, our whole class could say that sir, changed our entire outlook to Math’s. He taught us simple tricks like to remember the order of the mm – km table he made us remember a simple sentence – Manos Choudhury Drives Monkeys Down Hill Kurseong. The first letter of each word in the sentence helped us know the order of the table. Simple things like making cardboard pieces to explain triangles helped us remember the different types of triangles.

 Whereas earlier, we used to be scared of the Math’s, we could attack the sums without fear by the year end – thanks to him.

He used to bring The Statesman, the best newspaper at the time to the classroom and encouraged us to read it in our spare time from a drafting table he had placed, . I suppose my interest in the political happening in the country was nurtured by him.

He was very active on the sports field also and would mix and joke with all age group of boys. I remember on one occasion he brought Myrna to our classroom and introduced her to us. They were going steady or engaged at that time. When he introduced her to Manos Choudhury, he remarked jokingly “I hope you don’t steal her away from me”.

Unfortunately, our year with him was cut short by the Chinese aggression and we had to go one month early, i.e. the 1st week of November instead of the 1st week of December.

When we came back the following year in March, he had left Goethals and joined I think, St. Paul’s.

I next met him in 2007 at the Tourist Lodge in Kurseong when we went for the Centenary Celebrations. His memory was fantastic as he remembered all of us although he did have problems in the names. It just seemed we were continuing after 1962, without any gap.

During the centenary we were all busy and could hardly interact with him. However, he did give us his Cell No to contact when we returned to Kolkata after first going to Shillong where his sister lived.

I regularly kept contact with him in Shillong and when he returned, we, A K Roy, D K Roy and S P Chatterjee were at the airport to receive him. We brought him to our home and spent about three enjoyable hours, reminiscing. Arun Shroff also joined us at home.

He left in the evening but not before I extracted a promise from him to come and stay with us for a few days.

He kept his promise and after a few days he came again and spent three enjoyable days with us.

When we prayed, he prayed with us, sitting behind us and quietly watching us. He liked Chikoo (safeda) and I would bring them whenever available in the market. In the evenings, after dinner, we used to go for a walk in Bangur Avenue and he would take Pan (Beetle). He just loved them.

One evening after taking a bath he came and told me “see smell me, see how good I smell” like children.

My wife hardly speaks English and sir hardly spoke Hindi. It was fun watching them trying to make each other understand. He used to call her my little sister. He used to answer our greeting of “Hari Om” with a  “Hari om”

He was all praise for whatever she made and used to note down the recipe’. Nimbu Sikangi (Lime Juice) and Green Chili pickle were his favorite. One day we also went to St. Mary’s Orphanage and School and spent about three hours with Bro. Martin.

Even, after going back to Australia, he would call us either on New Year or on my birthday to wish us and enquire about the whole family taking special care to talk to my wife, she in Hindi and he in English. I also called him once after he was ill and had recovered slightly. It was always great talking to him.

Although his long illness after the detection of cancer forebode the worst but the actual news was shocking.

My wife just could not sleep last night, just thinking of the three days he spent with us.

I am sure; all of you who came in contact with him would have many happy memories which we would like you to share.

His nature was such that whether young or old, Hindu, Muslim, Christian or Sikh, Bengali, Nepali or Marwari, language or religion was no barrier to him for he spoke the universal language of care and love.
His memories will always be with us.