He was such a jovial personal & a pucca Hyderabadi. Whenever a patient would pester him he would jokingly say in urdu “Jao yaaro daaru peeke so jaao, sab theek ho jaata”
(Go & drink a couple of pegs of whisky & everything will be all right). I was also the victim of this joke a couple of times. In his youth also he was a legend. He used to swim the length of the Hussain Sagar in one stroke.

He was a multi faceted person and could paint, do excellent photography, write, speak in public and above all a very good Healer. Interior decorator. Hunter.

He was a member of Lion’s club and never missed a single meeting wherever he might be in the world. Needless to say that he was a dedicated social worker, if I ever saw one. This fact came to light when he was fighting his own cancer battle and he held exhibitions of his water color paintings and collected amounts for a Cancer Institute.
He also used to fast every Monday just to feel what hunger feels like. He was a very devout Christian with complete faith in Jesus, but one never felt his religion until they heard his real name. That is the sign of a real saint.

He used to share with me a lot of things and was very close to me. Sometimes he even cried on my shoulder and lightened his heart. Later on he would write a nice letter of appreciation acknowledging the fact that I lent him my shoulder to cry. He was human enough to cry and manly enough to admit, which is a very rare quality. Initially I just used to smile and forget, but now when I reflect back, I think he used to do the wisest thing in life. “Settle the accounts” HERE & NOW.

The biggest jolt for him was his son Mike’s death. Of course it was a great shock for the entire Fernandez family, but at that time I was close to him only, so can relate to his state of mind

When he passed away, I think my dad was sadder than when he lost his own father.

A salute to one the greatest Hydearabadis.

Aapka Apna
Gunshe