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| The Rosebowl Dec 31st, 2000 Page - 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 |
Obituaries
Brig. Yashpal Dev
[ex 16-K ’42]
Son of Dr Karan Chand Dev, Polly was born on 24th July 1926. His mother died when he was very young. He joined he Doon School in 39(1) and was admitted in Kashmir House. He played and studied with equal zest and was very popular with his class and house-mates. Scheduled to take his SC in ’41 had to miss out owing to the unexpected death of his father. Subsequently he passed with credit in ’42.
After his B.Sc., he joined the navy and later on joined the IMA, where he passed out as JUO. Commissioned into the Regiment of Artillery where, apart from all the routine courses was selected for the Defence Services Staff College. Had a wide spectrum of experience in Staff and Regimental appointments including a posting to the Staff College. Achieved the coveted Command of his own Regiment - First Field Regiment. In the 1965 operations, for his actions, he was “Mentioned in despatches”. After Commanding an Artillery Brigade he retired from the Army in 1979, as a Brigadier. He then joined the United Services Institution (USI) as the Chief instructor, bringing fresh impetus into courses and examinations. In every assignment he had undertaken, he showed exemplary dedication and that urge to improve, with great elan; was known for his honesty, integrity and plain speaking apart from the ability for sustained hard work.
At the Memorial meeting, held in Som Vihar Apartments in Delhi, many of his contemporaries were present (Air Marshal Brar, Gen. Nanda, Sundaram, Nandi Khanna, Premi Khanna, Avinash Khanna and Bawa Guruvachan Singh) and some younger DOSCOs (Bhargava, Harpreet Singh, Harish Bahl) were present Col Attri, ex-Bursar of the School was also present. The USI also held a special meeting of condolence where high tributes were paid. May his soul rest in peace.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and pray that God give them strength to bear this loss with fortitude.
Brig. V.M. Sundaram (Retd.)
[ex 216-K ’41]
Lalit Nirula
[ex 142-K ’59]
Class Representative
Mr. S. Muinudin
Muin Sahib as he was affectionately addressed on the Chandbagh Estate, and his friends.
Obituaries have already appeared in the earlier issue from friends enumerating his association with the school, since its inception in 1935, and stay until 1950.
Through this column, I would like to highlight some notable contributions he made to the school, and in other spheres.
Scouting was looked after by Mr. V.N. Kapur whereas ‘Cubs’ were enrolled by Mr. Foot and Mr. Muinuddin who ultimately rose to the rank of scouts.
He played a major role in the establishment of the Dehradun District Sports Association. At school he was incharge of Athletics, and he introduced this sporting activity in Welham Boys School established by Miss Oliphant one time Matron of Hyderabad House. He continued to lend a helping hand as and when required by her.
During the troubled days of partition when riots broke out in Dehradun he played an important role in suppressing them at the risk of his life. He was of course ably assisted by Mr. Foot. Not many know that under family pressures he was compelled to migrate to Pakistan after 1947, and had actually gone to Lahore to settle there.
Mr. Martyn was sent by Mr. Foot to Lahore to persuade boys to return to School after partition but this mission did not meet with any success.
 Mr. Muinuddin with the School Athletics Team in 1942 |
I happened to be in Lahore at the time, and met Mr. Martyn at the Lahore Gymkhana Club when I learned about the object of his visit. I had gone there to recover some of our belongings, and instead of returning immediately stayed back to assist him in this task. At that point of time both of us were able to persuade Mr. Muin to return. His heart was always in the school, and he agreed to return to Dehradun.
He remained at the School until 1950, and finally left for Pakistan, and settled at Lahore.
I did not meet him again until 1978 when I went there to watch the Test matches between India and Pakistan at the invitation of my old cricketing friends in Lahore. When I telephoned Mr. Muin he immediately asked me to come and spend the evening with him. As soon as he embraced me he wept and then after a while reconciled himself. Throughout he talked about the school, and his friends in Dehradun.
I next met him in 1985 accompanied by Lalit Thapar, Gulab, and his wife Ratna. We went to Pakistan to invite old school friends to come for the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the school. We were received at the Lahore Airport by Ghulam Jilani then Governor Lahore, and other friends including Mr. Muinuddin during our stay we enjoyed his hospitality which was full of affection.
At our request he readily agreed to come for the Golden Jubilee. Old Boys also responded, and came in large members along with their families. I remained in constant touch with him through correspondence. One of his desire was that at the innauguration of the Chandbagh School in Lahore we should come in large numbers, and be amongst them. Some how this has not happened so far, and his desire could not be fulfilled during his life time.
The first photograph is of the school Athletics Team of 1942 who were the Champions of Dehradun Olympics. The second one is when Gulab, and myself escorted him to take the morning assembly on the occasion of Golden Jubilee in 1985.
Muin Sahib you will always remain in our hearts, and our collective prayers are for your noble soul to rest in peace.
