BOSCO Fernandes, former scout master of St Patrick’s School and St Paul’s School, Karachi, passed away on Nov 29. About a decade ago he received the Presidential Pride of Performance Award for his contribution to scouting.

He was indeed a legendary figure, committed to scouting. He had the great quality of bringing out the best in scouts under his charge, developing their leadership qualities, instilling in them the pristine qualities that make a better person, honesty, truthfulness, dedication to work, sense of duty, self-respect, pride in the institution, teamwork, striving for higher pinnacles of achievement and glory.

He had no distinction between Christians, Muslims, Hindus and Parsees. To him all were the same and each deserved his guidance, help and support.

He was a man who had a great impact on the lives of many. As one grew in life, said goodbye to school and college — and scouting — and ventured out in life, one realised with time how Mr Bosco guided him during his childhood days as a boy scout, how that person himself had looked upon Mr Bosco as a father figure, as a role model, as an example to emulate... and with maturity one realised what a magnificient impact Mr Bosco had had upon that Class VIII boy who had joined the Scouts Troop in St Patricks School. Mr Bosco may have left this physical world, but he will live eternally in the hearts of many who had the privilege of being a scout in St Patricks School, with Mr Bosco Fernandes as the Scout Master.

May God rest his soul in eternal peace.

SYED TAYYAB NAQVI Karachi