I have had numerous friends that have supported me and pushed me to better myself during the last forty years of my life. I have realized we rarely achieve anything in this world without the help of someone else. My association with Prof. Mushtaque Ahmed and his lovely wife Lucy Ahmed holds a special place in my heart. Both of them are like rare jewels for me, who supported me during my life in Muscat as good things happened as well as when times were tough for me. Even if I have not seen them for more than a year, I am sure when we get together it’s like no time has passed, and we would just pick up right where we left off.

While I was living in Muscat by my own, as my family was living in a different country in connection with my wife’s higher studies and career pursuits, Prof. Mushtaque and Lucy Ma’am remained as a source of love and support to me. I am sure that both of them love me and care about me and my family. The bond between us is like a gift that keeps on giving, even when we are thousands of miles away at the moment. Both of them have always loved me and cared about me! 

Their frequent invitations for dinner and delicacies that Lucy Ma’am prepared for the guests (I being one among them) have boosted my happiness and reduced my stress. The informal chat with Prof. Mushtaque from time to tome has helped me to improve my self-confidence and self-worth and change any unhealthy lifestyle habits in me such as lack of exercise and oversleeping.

I met Prof. Mushtaque first time in his department (Soils, Water, and Agricultural Engineering, College of Agricultural & Marine Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, SQU) as I visited him in the College Dean’s office in connection with a forthcoming international conference on water. As an employee in the media department, I was authorized to prepare media reports about the event. At the first instance, I realized that, Prof. Mushtaque (that time he was an Associate professor in the department) was a friendly gentleman, down to earth and caring for others. Thereafter, I used to meet him at regular intervals in his office, discussing official matters pertaining to outreach and publicity of the department’s activities and research. When he became the Assistant Dean of Postgraduate Studies and Research of the College and subsequently the Director of the Centre of Environmental Studies and Research (CESAR) at SQU, our meetings became more frequent and our conversations turned out to be a mix of professional and personal matters. 

CESAR is located on campus in an independent villa with the ambiance of a remote house. One day while I was in his office, he told me about his family and invited me for a dinner at his home (located on campus). Later on, I realized that the dinner invitations are a semi-formal affair for Prof. Mushtaque and Lucy Ma’am. For the former, it is an opportunity to talk to his friends and for the latter, who loves cooking, a chance to give good food to others prepared with her great culinary skills. They invite several friends to their house at regular intervals during weekends. They include their Muscat friends of different nationalities (India, South Africa, Australia, Canada, Russia, USA, Sri Lanka, Belarus, Bangladesh, etc.) their daughter Roxanne’s friends in Muscat and their parents. The majority of the guests were senior academicians in different colleges of SQU. The interesting fact is that he would invite for dinner from time to time, whenever he had guests in the evening. I became an inevitable guest, I believe! At some point, I felt like I belong to their family. 

He talks only good things about me. He always appreciates me for my handwork as an editor at SQU. He used to suggest different topics to write about to publish in the internal publications of SQU and the national newspapers in Oman. I have interviewed many of his official international guests and published them in the University’s newsletter. 

He is an ardent supporter of my wife Remya in her pursuit to higher studies abroad. Prof. Mushtaque and Lucy Ma’am have visited our apartment in Muscat a couple of times. On one occasion we celebrated the birthday of my daughter Avanthika in their presence. One day, he told me that they are planning to visit Kerala and Goa for a holiday that lasts for a fortnight. I asked me to be their ‘guide’ for their trip in India. I gladly agreed! And I planned my holiday accordingly. I received Prof. Mushatque, Lucy Ma’am, and their daughter Roxanne at Kochi airport in Kerala and travelled together (mostly by road) in Kerala, Karnataka, and Goa during that holiday. On our way to Mangaluru and Goa, four of us visited my parents’ home in Thrissilery, Wayanad and I remember, my Mom served them traditional south Indian veg meal on banana leaves. My mom is proud that they all liked the food that she prepared for them. She told me once: Roxanne loved the taste of Olan (coconut milk-based south Indian curry) that she prepared. 

Now, we will look at his professional profile. Prof. Mushtaque born in Dhaka, Bangladesh, completed his civil engineering degree from the Bangladesh University of Engineering & Technology (BUET) of Dhaka. He completed his Ph.D. from Iowa State University, USA in 1988. He is a citizen of Australia, where he started his career as an environmental expert and scientist. He has been teaching in SQU for more than two and a half decades and doing research on water quality, desalination, and soil quality.  He reads a lot with a special interest in history, culture, and current affairs. At one point, the collection of old currency notes from different parts of the world was one of his hobbies. He has travelled to more than 50 countries as of now.

What about Lucy Ma’am then? Lucy Ahmed is a self-taught painter, meditator of impressionist landscapes. She was born in Sandakan in the North Borneo region (Sabah state) in East Malaysia. Ma’am has produced several hundreds of artworks including three-dimensional art forms until now during her stay in the Middle East, Western Australia and Sabah.

And both of them love cats! Now, what is the relevance of this piece of writing now? I miss the evenings that I spent with Prof. Mushtaque and Lucy Ma’am at their home on campus.  I miss the time spent with the two good human beings. What a wonderful memories we had made together! 

About the author: The author is former senior editor at Sultan Qaboos University