Salim Chowdhrey was one of the gifts I got from APPNA.
There are a few people about whom you remember exactly where you met them the first time. I vividly remember that.
It was 1999, APPNA's Annual Meeting in Altanta.
I went to the counter to buy some evening tickets and this gentleman in white shalwar and black kurta was standing ahead of me. We introduced ourselves and knowing that my wife is from Dow he immediately stated that , phir to aap Dow kay Damad howay. That line stuck with him and he had for years called me, in person and in numerous email posts as Damadji.
Later, as it usually happens, we learnt he knew my family. In years to come, I met him several times, with my sister and brother in law.
A Dow graduate of 68, I presume he was born before Partition, must be somewhere in present day India. Punjabi Sodagaran had the full circle from Punjab to UP and then back to Pakistan. He had spent some time in Peshawar also. Eventually moving to the USA, and living a long professional life and now finally resting in peace in New Jersey. That is the life of many of this generation.
He was one of those pleasant persons, in any APPNA gathering, standing in the lobby or sitting with colleagues, holding a drink, always wearing a smile, and always cordeal.
He was a gentleman to the core. He was an emotional and fervent supporter of his candidates. I know he wept when he heard that the candidate he had worked hard to succeed had lost. We almost always were supporting opposing candidates. We used to argue, debate and post against each other's arguments and candidates all the time.
I was much younger to him, but he always treated me with respect and as a colleague.
Strangely, he often urged me to run for APPNA office. He assured me I would have his vote and support.
He was one of the most vociferous supporters of Pakistan and its cause, a relatively rare breed in the present day intelligentsia.
His discourse was always gentlemanly. In any discussion, his thought process was clear, placing of argument was convincing and to top it off, he had a charming personality. It was hard to win an argument with him.
He was a family man, loved by his family and community. In the memorial service, the Soyem, which I attended today, people talked about the generosity of his person and his pocket.
My last meeting with him was last October at my son Saleem's wedding. That is the picture posted above. He was excited to be there and I was honored by his presence. At wedding we found out he knew Saleem's in-laws. He knew Priya's aunt from her residency training.
The world has lost a gentle soul. He will be missed by many.
I regret the reality that I will never see him again.
At some level I am content.
He lived a full life; and I still have his vote.
I took a picture of this picture at his Soyem. Reminds me of an old Pakistani movie star.
