English & Urdu Text : Khalid IqbalPresentation : Shoaib Sobani

Nobility was entrenched in his persona. Lean built, mostly dressed in white attire,glowing, with a smiling face and eyes tailor-made to accommodate a befitting pair ofspectacles. Astad Jamshed Behrana was a Grammarian. He did his intermediatefrom D.J. College before joining Dow. He was famous as a “congenital” positionholder.

At all times tranquil and composed, but bubbling with acumen and intellect. Healways spoke softly. Nobody ever saw him saying anything in an unbecoming or harshmanner. He was a voracious reader. All of his group members were very vibrant & toname a few, Colin, Vakani and Yusuf were well known. Despite the fact that he wasan academic juggernaut, Astad was free of worldly prides and prejudices. He wasavailable to all classmates for any educational discussion and assistance, particularly inthe academic arena.

Plaza Cinema was in the heart of the city at that time. Mr. Dara Behrana, theowner happened to be an uncle of Astad. The courteousness & big heartednessof uncle and nephew provided a special facility to the class of ’79 by arrangingspecial morning shows of Pakistani films during which guys and gals sang along withthe popular tunes as the movie kept playing.

Let’s quit this appalling world and move somewhere else……

Alas! As of today the Plaza Cinema does not exist. So is true for the peaceful daysin Karachi which has withered from sight for so long.

Astad being a born genius mostly secured a First Position in the class, but he was tooself-effacing. Whenever somebody applauded him he, just returned a faint smile.

Days at Dow were over and Astad went to England. He cleared PLAB and did hisMRCP in the minimum time to get involved in the British health delivery system. Itis at this point of time that Astad took a decision about his future which no bodycould have dared to predict. He decided to become a family physician. He didMRCGP and DRCOG and settled as general practitioner. Was it the charisma linkedto the NHS which tempted Astad, or any other grounds which may remainunidentified for all times? Astad got married and is happily living with his family.

The signs of aging are now slowly becoming noticeable in Astad. Sometimes he keepsa very healthy moustache, perhaps to exhibit that he has guts and valor in addition tohis soft demeanor and brilliance. Ustad Jamshed Behrana is a text-book, rather aclassical Zoroastrian, and an all time asset, looked upon as a Gem embedded in theHearts of the Class Of ‘79.

THANKS SHOAIB FOR ASTAD JAMSHEED BEHRANA YESTERDAY HIS MOTHER TOLD ME THAT SHE JUST TALKED TO HIM AND HE IS SOME WHERE IN ALASKA ON A CRUISE----------I JUST WISHED FOR MY PRESENCE WITH HIM IN COMPLETE SILENCE ON A CRUISE.I WISHED, I SIT WITH HIM AND LISTEN TO HIM, WHICH I USED TO DO AND EDUCATE MY SELF. I DO NOT MEAN MEDICINE, SURGERY PATHOLOGY ETC ETC------------------I MEAN ABOUT THINGS LIKE POETRY, PHILOSOPHY, HISTORY, ENGLISH LITERATURE, COMPARATIVE RELIGION AND HUMANITY. HE USED TO TALK SLOWLY, GENTLY, POLITELY AND CONVINCINGLY WITH FULL OF KNOWLEDGE. HE STILL TALKS IN SAME WAY. I REMEMBER HE GAVE ME -------------LA THUS SPOKE ZURTUSHTRA------IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT BOOK SPECIALLY THE WAY ENGLISH WAS WRITTEN. MY SO CALLED EGO DID NOT ALLOW ME TO TELL HIM THAT I WAS NOT READING IT BECAUSE IT IS DIFFICULT. HE KNEW ME BETTER THAN MY SELF AND WITH OUT SHOWING THAT HE IS AWARE OF MY IGNORANCE HE GAVE ME A SUMMARY OF THE BOOK. I NEVER FORGET THAT LESSON AND TRIED TO FOLLOW HIM IN DEALING WITH PEOPLE WITH MY KIND OF HANDICAP. ASTAD THANKS FOR INTRODUCING NITZSCHE TO ME ASTAD IS A GREATUSTAD ALWAYS READY TO EXPLAIN IN A WAY THAT YOU LIKE TO LISTEN TO HIM. WE HAD GREAT TIME TOGETHER DURING HOUSE JOB AND I LEARN A LOT FROM HIM IN UK WHEN EVER WE MET IT WAS ALWAYS A PLEASURE ALWAYS SOME SURPRISE ALWAYS SOME NEW THINGS AND ALWAYS SOME KIND OF KURRENT 440 WATT AND YOU GET CHARGED WHEN I LEFT UK I WENT TO MEET HIM IN MANCHESTER. STAYED A NIGHT IN HIS HOUSE HAD A GREAT FISH IN DINNER AND DID THE FANTASTIC CHATTING ONLY AT THAT TIME I REALLY UNDERSTOOD THE NHS AND HOW AS GP HE IS ADMITTING PATIENTS IN HOSPITAL, DOING PROCEDURES AND GIVING CARE TO THEM. THIS WAS HIS PASSION AND THATS WHAT HE WAS DOING. A REAL DOCTOR --------------------ALWAYS READY TO ATTEND A PATIENT AND ALWAYS HAPPY BEEING A DOCTOR. VERY FEW DOCTORS ARE LIKE HIM SPECIALLY IN THE LAND OF PURE. WHEN EVER HE IS IN KARACHI HE ALWAYS CAME TO MY HOSPITAL AND GAVE TALKS TO MY POST GRADUATE STUDENTS. ALWAYS WELL PREPARED AND ALWAYS IMPRESSIVE. IT WAS MY BAD LUCK THAT I MISSED HIM TWO TIMES WHEN HE WAS HERE AND I WAS AWAY. I WISH HE COMES TO TURKEY . WE WILL BE ABLE TO REVIVE ONE OF OUR LATE NIGHT SECRET MEETING USED TO HELD IN ROOM 31 HOSTEL FOUR IN THE PRESENCE OF ALI YAGCI AND SOME OTHER FRIENDS----------------------------I REALLY MISS THAT BOSSHAVE A GREAT TIME ASTADAND ENJOYWE ALL LOVE YOU------YOU ARE GREATBEST REGARDS TO YOUR FAMILYShershah

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My thesaurus shows intelligence, humility and poise as a synonyms of the word Astad. Like Bashir, I also did my part in making him look good in the viva part of the exams. In the alphabetically arranged pecking order, I used to go before him and would set the bar sooooooo low that all he had to do was just answer the basic questions and get distinction in the subject… Astad: Hasan & all of us are awaiting to hear from you…anxiously. Arshad

Shoaib: Thank you for Astad. Astad: Great man. Sorry don't have any beans to spill! It was good to meet up with you last year. Hopefully will see you again in Turkey. Have a good week and hopefully you will find time to write a little bit about yourself in your own words.Hasan

Well done Shoaib (and the person who translated in Urdu assuming that it is not Shoaib himself) for a well written intro of Ustad. He helped a number of people in their studies during Dow days and I was one of them. He is a real gentleman and it was a great loss to cardiology that he decided to leave the speciality but at the same time general practice gained a gem of a man. Best wishes.Idrees (H)

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_ Dear Shoaibmany thanks for another wonderful write up. I met Astad last year after a long long time. I had kept my self abreast about his life via Shershah. His intellect is now sharper than it ever was. I had good time talking to him. He is the crown jewel of our class.It would have been nice if Munir had spilled few beans.Ifti

Astad: So good to hear about you. Good to hear about you and see your family. Pictures are especially nice. Next get together should be in America. Best wishes,Shadab

Astadshrukertahou!Infinite time but no ending in sight! That is how much I want to write about you, my buddy. I know it will embarrass you toread our very sincere and honest view of you. You are one of my best friends, buddy and an example in humility, intellect, consideration, articulation, and sheer humanity. Every one will write about your days at DMC. I have known you a lot beyond those memorable great days. That include a few tales! Lodging on the floor (nearly 10 of us) on Asif's Birmingham hostel room, you being the only one to know that I was 'living in sin' with Bing (now my dear wife), flying out to Karachi for aday to your wedding, our long telephone conversations on careers etc. I am so restrained in spilling all the beans!Simply Astad tu se great hoBing joins me in wishing you and your dear wife and children all the happiness, health, peace and good fortune.

And just to embarrass you (blushing shows a lot more on you. I am totally shameless!)Munir

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Shoaib, Thanks for this real gem of a guy. He was our classmate since DJ. Soft spoken and gentle with a rich timber in his voice. Always proper and thoughtful. I had a real tough time in Dow especially during oral part of the exams...he was a tough act to follow. He would set the bar too high for me. Anyway, I did my best to make him look even better in the eyes of the examiners...you know what I mean.

Astad, Congratulations. It was lovely seeing you in London after such a long time. I am glad we had a chance to reminisce and exchange views. We would love to have you and your family with us in Turkey. Please do come, it would be a pleasure.Bashir

Dear Ustad,It was pleasure to meet you in London,always man with "mysterious smile“ Congratulations for are all your success, Will meet again.NisarA.Piracha,MD.FACS.

Astad,Hearty congratulation for all your achievements. Wish you a long, healthy and very happy and prosperous life.Jalil

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