A website dedicated to photographs and videos from Canada and around the world with an emphasis on nature, wildlife, food, travel and sport as well as art, architecture and culture. In culture, the focus will be on projects related to the work of His Highness the Aga Khan, his Ismaili Muslim community and Islam in general.
Photo of the Day: From Little Children to Seniors at Aga Khan Park; a Drone Whizzes Past the Jamatkhana Dome; and, YES, Shamshu Alidina is Very Much Alive!
There appears to be nothing extraordinary about the first photo I am presenting to readers of Simergphotos as “Photo(s) of the Day” — it could have been an action packed photo with the individual, Shamshu Alidina, a great cricketer in his youth days, hitting a glorious cover drive boundary with his Gray Nicolls bat at one of Dar es Salaam’s cricket grounds.
But I have him here for a very very special reason! I chose him to appear at the top of this website’s “Photo of the Day” feature because of my sheer happiness and joy of seeing him on Easter Sunday, April 4, 2021, after a recent WhatsApp message had declared him dead from Covid-19 and other serious illnesses. The fake story spread like wildfire. I was numb when I first read the news about his death. I rang up a few friends who confirmed that they had also seen the message. Little did many of us know about a retraction that was made to the story a little later. The retraction never reached me, and I assumed that my dear Shamshu, who I had last seen at the Aga Khan Park in December 2020, had indeed left this world. I was then alerted that he was alive, albeit in serious condition. I felt happy once more.
On the weekend of Easter, on both Saturday April 3 and Sunday April 4, 2021 I set off for Aga Khan Park. I was determined to spend much of my day strolling around, taking short videos as well as photographs for presentation on this blog. I was almost done for the day on Easter Sunday. The sun was behind me in the west and crowds were diminishing. I was walking towards one of the parking lots when I heard my name being called out about 5 metres in front of me. The voice was familiar but his mask, which extended upto his eyes, made made him unrecognizable. I looked at him for a few seconds before he told me in Kachi, “I am Shamshu.” I asked, “Shamshu ker?” because I never imagined I would see him that soon. And he said “Alidina”. I could have gone and hugged him to death because that’s how happy I felt, but there are health guidelines in place for Covid-19 and I had to hold myself back. I was thrilled. His voice was loud and clear. I was now looking at a new vibrant Shamshu, different from the man I saw in December 2020 at the same park. I could not have felt happier, so his photo tops the selection among several other striking pictures I took. Reason: Shamshu is alive and gaining strength as well as looks very happy. The whole world can now see that in the two photos in this post, and that should please his friends in Canada and around the world.
Now my plea to everyone using social media: Please verify the WhatsApp messages as well as everything that comes your way, and do not forward any message thoughtlessly. The news of a death causes immense pain, sorrow and grief especially among close family associates and friends. We must be alert and educated, and keep this indulgence with fake matters — news as well as accusations — a thing of the past.
To Shamshu, I say on behalf of everyone who knows him as a cricketer, a dynamic volunteer and leader in the Ismaili community, “We are deeply grateful you are still with us and we wish you complete recovery and good health.” As we think of you, we also remember your wife Ishrat, and pray that her soul may rest in eternal peace. She passed away in 2018 at the age of 68.
Enjoy the photos, and keep Shamshu in your thought and prayers.
Note: All photos taken with Olympus E-M10, except for 3 that belong to the iPhone.
The Aga Khan Park on Easter Weekend: April 3 – 5, 2021
Audio 2: Another Serene Gathering of Birds at Aga Khan Park and Their Uplifting Chirping
A Message from the Birds
Date posted: April 6, 2021.
____________________
Before departing this website, please review our Table of Contents or visit the Home Page for links to our fantastic photo essays.We welcome feedback/letters from our readers. Please use the LEAVE A REPLY box which appears below. Please share this article link with your friends!
