In the hearts of those who loved you, you will always be.
Eashwer Dass
Born in Kuala Trengganu and educated in Kuantan, Eashwer pursued his higher education at Bangalore University in India before returning to Malaysia during an economic recession.
His diverse career began as a trainee computer programmer before moving on to a teaching position at Maktab Sains Mara in Kuantan. Being the undaunted adventurer, his earlier teaching experience garnered him a position in a prestigious private school in Brunei Darrusalam for 2 years. Henceforth, there was no turning back as he crossed the seas to take on a corporate position in New Zealand.
Upon returning to Malaysia post-recession, he taught in Stamford College and being smitten by the entrepreneurial bug he launched himself headlong into tutoring students in Math, Physics and Chemistry. His teaching background later led to being headhunted as Head of Department of Training at Marconi Telecommunications, where he oversaw technical documentation and client training.
After several years in diverse corporate roles, he chose a path that aligned with his deep - seated passion and jumped heading into writing, content- development and both remote and face - to- face instruction.
Throughout this journey he had embraced various industries and countries, continuous learning and adaptability, collecting diverse professional experiences rather than "gathering moss" in a single position or field.
Reflections
Eashwer's philosophy of the importance of staying current and relevant in a changing world had made him a digital storyteller who transformed personal insights into compelling online narratives - persistently sharing his perspective across various platforms that resonayes with diverse audiences.
EASHWER DASS
https://eashwerdass.blogspot.com
Writer, Transporter : Spinning back seat conversations into real stories :
https://newswav.com/publisher/eashwerdass-1380
RAJEE - My Mother
by Eashwer Dass
Are mothers from a different world or are they born on the same day a child became theirs?
There must be something special that separates mothers from women. Our creator takes great pain in assigning protection over his creation, no matter what it is. Mothers are God's assurance of a guardian angel watching over you after birth. This makes a woman, become a mother only after she has been delivered a bundle of joy, no matter how it is delivered whether by a stork or by some other means. This bundle may not always be attached to a mother by an umbilical cord, but it assures a miraculous transformation from womanhood to motherhood, when she takes the bundle of joy into her arms and presses it against her bosom claiming it as her own.
My mother Rajee was born during a time where women had no place in a man's world, no matter how intelligent or capable they were. It was a blessing that my grandfather gave my mother Rajee, the opportunity to complete her schooling, which was in an era where women were just beginning to break ground in their struggle for equal rights and recognition.
The indigenous people of the tiny southern Indian state of Kerala or a people better known as Malayalees were conscientious about prioritizing literacy and education. This attitude contributed to Kerala's literacy rate being in the top two states in the Indian subcontinent.
During its occupancy in India the British employed the services of many Keralites (People of Kerala) as administrators to represent their interests in their ventures both within India and away. Rajee and all her younger sisters with the exception of the last one were groomed to become home makers after completing their basic schooling. It was a shame to see intelligence wasted considering what they could accomplish even with whatever little education they had. The memories of her better days does not end with just the humorous stories of her childhood, which she spiced and peppered with a little exaggeration, making tales taller than her own 4ft-6 inch frame.
She did not only cook to feed us, but made mealtimes at the dining table an entertainment, the wizard also got us eating our greens, which amazingly tasted less deplorable. Many years later , I realized that the genius in her was not just feeding our stomachs during meals, but instead, she was simultaneously nourishing our minds and souls so we did not concentrate only on individual palatable preference. If all that did not work, her one meter-long magic wand, which when swished sounded like a samurai blade ripping through the air. This magic wand even though being just a harmless and thin Rotan always did the trick.
Dementia seems to be another one of God's chosen designs to test one's true faith in him. I am struck with paralysis each time I watch this horrendous work of this mental dismantlement at play, whenever I meet my dear and beloved mother.This matriarch, my mother a once strong-willed personality, my teacher, the only visible avatar of a deity to me and the one who blew live into our family shaping it from humble beginnings, now sits at home degenerating with time, right in front of our very eyes, becoming a passive, frail and silver haired matriarch under watchful surveillance and close supervision.
NOTE : This article sadly remains unfinished due to Eashwer’s untimely demise.
Rasa Sayang class of SAS 1967
by Eashwer Dass
Meeting after more than 40 years in Kuantan, the place where we all grew up completing our primary schooling while some of us remained to finish our secondary education but a fragment of the group moved to residential schools away from home.
Those who moved away were remembered as little twelve year old's in short pants torn away from the class of
1967 with only images of their innocent faces etched into an album archived into our memories.
After decades, we meet again armed with only the memories of the twelve year old faces but now visibly exhibiting varying waists sizes, body mass, body contours, different hair or hairless styles, added talents, repulsive habits but again with equal remorsefulness and lastly individuals assorted with unique characteristics. Only our names came to the rescue when we tried to recognise each other because face fits failed miserably to match memory archives
.Looking on the bright side, our old school will soon enjoy new air-conditioning in a selected classroom due to the kind gesture of some of our generous brothers. This goes to show that even after such a great lapse in time, we have still got together to show that we are a formidable lot, making great efforts to spend precious time to catch up with each other and contributing to needy causes which expresses the true meaning and value of ‘rasasayang’.
The tour of the two schools which symbolizes our origin as a group was first on the itinerary of the reunion but unfortunately it turned out not being as memorable as anticipated even though we were happy to see each other. The historic main block of our dear Sultan Abdullah School which is constructed solely out of timber is slowly rotting and becoming white ant feed. To replace that dilapidating block with a new concrete structure would mean destroying history as we know it. These fears need to be addressed or it might just end up as only wasted tears.
The Headmaster mentioned that the current Director of the education department has requested him to spruce up the school, how he expects him to achieve that without government funding exceeds my imagination .To see our former school dilapidating to rot further and leaving it to the mercy of the State Government and not to mention white ants has partly blemished if not one of the most memorable and happiest days in my life. The Balok Mint retreat was a further turbo jet boost to our reunion, our pilot Commander and Chief for the occasion along with his family exhibited the world class hospitality which our National Aircraft Carrier is well known for.
They literally spoiled us with choices of cuisine and hospitality. On this joyous day of celebration, Captain Ahmad Lela sacrificed his princely throne the cockpit and became chief of the cabin crew not only to serve us, his old schoolmates but also footing all the expenses and making this retreat his treat. This day has indeed been blessed by Rasa Sayang abundance. After the tickings of an almost fifty year old clock we merrily rummaged through our primary school memories being entertained by beloved Juperi and Bala while enjoying a sumptuous meal at the MINT, Balok, Beserah beach .
Well one way to look at how much time we have to spend with each other is to simply take the number of stories that one has to share within the spell of absence and then multiply it by the number of friends in our fraternity and wallah! We would have a figure that will urgently require us to organise more of such meets like this historic and memorable one we had in Kuantan.
Let's always stand together, respect and love one another, because that is what Rasa Sayang is all about.
Thank you for being my friends.
Photos
Videos
Memory wall
now that you are in the CLOUD
(not the Google Drive I know, for sure) but in:
...that sanctuary of sanctity we mortals call Paradise…
...that ethereal expanse you have tread upon,
...that nascent world of happiness that renders you invisible yet cognizant of our thoughts, emotions, and aspirations.
Blessed you are indeed. May your soul forever nestle in that everlasting, divine love.
Now that I’ve switched on my links to you, I want to inform you — and your loved ones who may be reading this — that I shall recount a little story of our sojourn together. It was not just transactional but deeply meaningful. It was a journey that underscored friendship and mutual respect.
(Do I discern a cryptic smile here?)
The three months I spent working with you now seem short — yet they were breathtakingly meaningful, and at the same time, heartbreaking… especially as I’m plagued by the thought that you will never come back.
By the way, those astoundingly weird TikTok messages you sent me were a tad strange, especially considering your choice of platform. It was definitely unexpected. Yet, I must admit that while your method of communication was a little intimidating, I could still feel the sincerity behind those messages.
Thank you for letting us peek into your new heavenly abode — and for assuring us that you are happy where you are. That’s really a slice of solace.
Let me shift gears now, Eashwer, and take this opportunity to thank you for your patience in helping me with my work and digital skills. (I must assure you I’ve improved now… really improved. Promise!)
Thank you for even making sure my MAXIS bills were minimized — only someone with your kind of empathy would do that. Your compassion was immeasurable — though I must say, you were a bit of a bug at times! (The kind and concerned one of course.)
Now that I’m done with my introduction, here’s a little story for all those online folk who’ve read this far (your true friends, I mean).
"Lock your phone, Dr. Jaay," he insisted.
"How?"
His chuckle was an honest potpourri of sarcasm and mild disdain, as he suggested that I use a password.
"What password shall I use?"
"Make it a Z."
My answer was a reference to our accidental meeting venue.
The office of Zurich Insurance in Damansara beckoned from a distance. It was one of many stops in my mission to gather documents for my tax returns. I was lucky to find an empty parking slot right in front of the entrance and made a quick dash to escape the heat and the sun. As I passed a Nepali security guard iI noticed his almost perfunctory robotic nod and a plastered-on smile.
As I whizzed past, a rather tall figure approached me. He didn’t look like someone from customer service — nor someone I knew. Dressed in a cream-coloured shirt tucked neatly into his jeans, with a brown belt completing the ensemble, he looked effortlessly formal. His fair complexion and slightly greying, well-groomed hair immediately caught my attention.
"You are Professor Dr. Jayati Roy?" he asked, extending a hand, his teeth flashing. His tone was confident, laced with a strange curiosity. His smile, pleasantly gentle.
I nodded — and what followed was an enthusiastic flurry of questions from my end. I could tell that he was amused.
We got off to a great start. Over coffee later, I learned that he had come across my Facebook posts and poems by accident — and had often wondered if he would ever meet me in person. And there I was… larger than life.
That’s how we met. A meeting seemingly arranged by divine providence that led to a collaboration — creating a platform for writing and a startup for innovative ventures.
We worked together for three months. On some days, we toiled from 10 a.m. till 9 p.m. He made sure our simple meals of dhal, vegetables, and roast chicken saw us through those long hours. His penchant for cooking was undoubtedly impressive. I can still hear his voice, advising me on intermittent fasting and what to avoid to stay healthy.
"You should just have one meal a day and avoid carbs at night," he’d say, eyeing my expanding waistline.
His words echo in my head even now when I step into a supermarket.
"Buy the AYAMAS little chicken drumsticks," he’d advise.
"They cook fast, especially if you want to roast them."
Those simple meals were a gentle reminder of his deep love for his mother — the teacher, the mentor, the light of his life. He spoke of her with passion — her cooking, her strength, her wisdom.
The two books I published — When You Hear the Birds Sing (with his testimony on the back cover) and You, my book of poetry and prose — are reminders of how sincerely he supported me. He even helped me obtain ISBN numbers — an online process I found tedious, but which he guided me through with patience.
Our work came to a halt when I travelled to visit my daughter in Germany. After I returned, I was shocked to hear of his untimely passing.
I wish I could focus only on those happy days, now etched forever in my memory.
Eashwer, he was a gift- rare, radiant and real.
May his light continue to shine and touch lives many lives in unexpected ways.
RIP, Eashwer.
You were a gift — rare, radiant, and real.
May your light continue to shine and touch many lives in unexpected ways
With love and remembrance.
Dr. Jayati Roy
This past 1 year without you has been the most difficult time of my life and will continue to be.
.
We met in Bangalore, India as students when I was 19 years old.
He was the the Chairman for AIMSA ( All India Malaysian Students Association ) and I was the treasurer. We worked very well together with lots of fun moments with friends.
We were very close friends, a beautiful and innocent relationship. He was always there sorting out issues for students . A great organizer with lots of friends whom we are still very much in touch with till today. Very loving, caring person and always full of humour.
We parted ways 3 years later to pursue our ambition and career. I left for Canada and Eashwer to New Zealand. We met again 15 years later. This time we took 1 step forward and got married. No regrets. My best friend till the day we parted.
Our Birthdays were 3 days apart. We travelled quite a bit together on our Birthdays. They were cherished beautiful moments that we shared.
Lots of ups and downs just like in any relationships but we survived. Our love for each other was very strong.
April 18 2024 ,the day you passed away, I was going to take you to the hospital since you were complaining so much of gastric. You asked for 1 more day because you wanted to rest. I regret till today for giving you that 1 day. You called me that day when I was out and said , "Ratnes I think I am going to have a heart attack." Didn’t believe you but went back home as soon as I can.
Within an hour I was home but you were gone, just like that!. I just kept asking you to wake up for almost an hour. Just couldn’t deal with it. Couldn’t accept you were gone. Still cant. I couldn’t save you. I am so sorry.
Nothing in this world can break my heart more than losing you. JUST WANT 1 MORE DAY WITH YOU.
Life without you is so empty. Our time together was so special. I want you back more than anything else in this world. Why must I go on without u. Seem so meaningless. You left too quickly.
My heart clings on to the memories we shared. Your voice and your face keeps replaying on my mind. I wake up every morning crying. I just want 1 more day with you so I can tell you how much I love and that you are my world.
Remaining days of my life would be spent nursing a pain that will never go away. I know life goes on but never the same without you.
WHEN SOMEONE SPECIAL DIES A PART OF YOU DIES WITH THEM. YOU'RE NOT THE SAME PERSON ANYMORE.
Yours always,RIP
Ratnes
Just pondering over my dearest nephew Eashwer Das who had prematuredly departed on 18th April 2024 from this world … only 63 ….and full of zest to fulfill all life’s desires…
As the saying goes ‘ he was more loved by Almighty ‘ than his friends who walked the earth with him….. how true🙏🏻
Though untimely’taken away’ I believe he has fulfilled most of his dreams…only a few to be completed perhaps..
He was the second son of the late Mr. P.M.B. Dass and Mrs. Rajee Das ( he leaves behind an older brother and two younger sisters ) .
He was born in Kuala Trengganu on 6th February 1960… I was just out of my final school term and awaiting for my future plans in furthering my education…I had the opportunity to hold this baby in my arms ..
Trengganu was the hometown of his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. V.K. Panicker…thus Eashwer’s mother had come there for her delivery.
He was a very fair skinned baby and very good looking …I remember people who visited us always admired his looks..and his colour
After some time his parents moved on to Kuantan where he had his schooling . He was full of zest and loved to make people around him laugh at his antics .. while he was in Kuantan I seldom saw him as my parents had taken me to India ..to further my studies
Years passed by and after my marriage , my husband and I were transferred to Kuantan.
Eashwer was in school and was busy with his studies etc and I was busy too with my new family .However as we were in the same town we often met for functions at his home and mine
I vividly recall how a small boy of 11 or 12 suddenly took to being a vegetarian .. it is usually a decision made by older people but Ani ( fondly known by this name at home) was so determined to carry out this ritual at such a tender age. This was amazing for all our family members…. It went on about a year or so… I still wonder why this decision was made …and he did accomplish his goal amicably.. thumbs up for his strong wow and belief..
He was a good student and life was great.. then when he was sitting for his school finals (SPM) he requested to stay with us to prepare for his exams . . perhaps he was happy to be with me as I was a secondary school teacher too …
I got to know Ani really well in the couple of months he lived with me.. He was very supportive and being with him was like going on joy ride . Jokes were galore and time just flew. He was a joker and we had lots of fun being around him..
However after his exam results he went overseas to complete his degree.. thus our meetings were rare..
In the years that continued he had his own life to lead .. his career and marriage..
we seldom met as before as he began his career in Kuala Lumpur. But in the past few years we had the chance to meet once a while in KL especially during Deepavali..
But suddenly last year 2024 Almighty God chose to take him away . He just faded from earth to be with his creator..
It was very painful to have lost him.. his memories are forever with all of us. Today he leaves behind his wife Ratnes .. a wife who meant everything to him…. We pray that Ratnes will be able to stay strong and continue her life’s journey… Eashwer will always recide in her heart giving her the strength to pursue her daily chores and keep her spirits up..
ANI …..I MISS YOU AND LOVE YOU A LOT..REST IN PEACE..
OM SHANTHI🙏🏻🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻🙏🏻
FROM YOUR AUNTY
DATO DR. MANO BASKARAN
He would make you laugh,tease you mercilessly leaving you rolling your eyes in exasperation. He would go out on a limb to help a friend. You most definitely want him in your corner as he would be your staunchest support.
It is hard to believe Ani is gone, but the memories will never fade. While we mourn his loss, and remember the times we have had together, may we also celebrate the gift of having known him.
Shobha
Etta often took the time to visit us at home. he was a good man, full of warmth and humour. We all miss him dearly.
May your memory be a blessing to all who loved you.
Forever remembered. Rest in peace.
It was so sad to hear about your untimely passing a year ago . it is still an empty spot in my heart . I remember meeting you for the 1st time sometime in late 1980 early 1981 in Bangalore . You were a force full of vibrant energy to change the world as we knew it . You made people around comfortable and I recall many days of just pure joy and fun . You are gone but will not be missed
Love
‘Kenny’
There are moments in life that stay with you forever, and one of those for me is with my uncle Eashwer. He wasn’t just a good friend of Acca and Amma but then he was like a family, a guide, and one of the kindest souls that I’ve ever known.
He had a way of speaking life into me, even during my lowest moments that was during my surgery. I was anxious about something big but then he called and said all will go on well, just don't let your mind wander too deep into the worries. Think instead about all the places you're going to visit without headaches. Have fun, fall in love, get married, and have kitties of your own. Don’t worry I’m doing my prayers for you mol.It was such a simple, sweet message, but it meant the world to me. That was him always dreaming bigger for me than I even dreamed for myself.
There are people who come into your life and leave such a deep mark that even when they're gone, their love echoes everywhere.My uncle Eashwer was that person for me.
Life can be funny
People come and go
But some last the distance
And watch as you grow
We think about you always
We talk about you still
You have never been forgotten
And you never will
We hold you close
Within our hearts
And there you will remain
To walk and guide us
You’re one in a million &
A diamond through and through
I’m blessed with the god’s gift
Given to me from the day
I was born into this world,
I’m a proud goddaughter
Always will cherish moments
Guidance and the love
You showered on me.
You were there always for me
I promise I will make you proud
As you have taught me to be
A good human being.
Thank you so much uncle.
You’re the world best Godfather
It's hard to put into words the emotions that have been swirling inside me since you left us on April 18, 2024. The news of your sudden demise was a shock, and it still feels like a dream.
I cherish the memories of our times together, especially after we reconnected in 2022. You were always the same kind and helpful person full of humor. I remembered from our childhood meetings in Malaysia.
Peter and I spent many wonderful moments with you, creating new memories that I will treasure forever.
Your passing has left a void in our lives, and there are so many things I wish I could have said to you, shared with you, and laughed about with you. If only we could have met just one more time...
Aniya, you will always be in my heart, and I will miss you dearly. I take comfort in knowing that you will always be with us in spirit.
Rest in peace, my dear nephew. May your memory be a blessing to all who loved you.
With love and tears,
Your Chechi, Girija
From the earliest memories of my childhood in Kuantan, one presence has always stood out — that of my beloved elder cousin brother, Ani Etthan.
Ani Etthan was always the caring and loving elder brother — the kind who checked in on how we were doing, especially when it came to our studies. He had a gentle yet firm way of reminding us of what mattered. We all remember how serious he could be about school, always encouraging us to do our best and keep focused.
But beyond that seriousness was someone gifted and full of ingenuity — our very own family MacGyver. Whether it was fixing something broken or inventing something out of nothing, he always amazed us with his hands-on creativity. It was something that truly defined him — always finding solutions, always making things better, always doing it with a calm, smiley face.
One of the most meaningful moments I’ll always treasure was Ani Ettha and Chechi attending our traditional wedding in Sabah. With only a handful of family from my side present, their presence meant the world. I can still hear his voice on the phone that day, laughing, “Shuhanth, I’m here but there is no road!” It was so like him — facing any challenge head-on, even if it meant navigating through villages to reach us. And of course, he arrived with his camera in hand, capturing memories just as he always did.
And then came the day none of us were prepared for — when we said our final goodbye. Seeing him for his funeral was surreal. The news of his passing was a blow none of us expected. It left us in disbelief and sadness, as the world felt a little dimmer without his calm and kind presence.
But even in this grief, we carry forward his spirit — the laughter, the wisdom, the love he gave us all.
Take care, Ani Ettha, till we meet again.
We will forever remember you — your smile, your strength, your warmth.
It's been a privilege to have known you. You have inspired me through every conversation we have had.
I am glad you were my Dad's friend,40 years ago, I got to meet such a wonderful person, that I will cherish throughout my life.
I really miss you, I wish you were there to see all my accomplishments and guide me though life.
But I hope you are at a better place now, and giving me your blessings.
1st year Memorial
We will come together to remember and pay tribute to Eashwer. While we mourn the loss of our dear, we also aim to cherish the moments shared and the joy brought into our lives.
Your presence would mean a great deal to us during this time of remembrance and reflection.
