Almost anyone who watched TV in the 60’s would instantly recognize the spy adventure series The Man From U.N.C.L.E. that ran from 1964-68 in America. It would have run its course much later here though. Even my amma (mother) would excitedly recall “Ilya Kuryakin”, Napoleon Solo’s side kick from the show. This may spark a bit of nostalgia:

Much closer to home though was another kind of uncle, my father’s youngest brother, John. Because he was the last of the boys to flee the nest sort of, we had a little more time growing up with him in Penang.

My sinanya (younger uncle) had an office on Penang Street, Georgetown. His boss was Messrs C.R. Dasaratharaj & Co., the regional distributor for Reader’s Digest and loads of other magazines covering northern Malaysia. His office was often piled up to the rafters with books.

Sure?

Every once in a while my mother would send me on some errand to his office. What those errands were I cannot remember. Some chores I hated doing, but this one – I jumped at. By the time this adventure began, we were already living in Prai on the mainland. My uncle’s office was on the island. So it was like a guy’s day out for me.

Sinanya was one of those genial souls – who indulged my appetite for reading. I don’t know how he knew – maybe we will settle that over a beer or glass of wine someday, but back then, every time I was there, he would rummage among the stacks of books – and go – here, take this one – I think you will like it, and this one too – he would hand over the loot before being asked! To top it up, I got served a nice cup of tea from the nearby coffee shop as well. That was and still is him essentially – uncle John.

A retro 1980 edition of Readers’ Digest, the likes of which I picked up from my uncle all those years ago. In a round about way, I am now living on the island – some 40 years later while he resides in Selangor. Every now and then, a walk here and a bike ride there jogs the old memories. The building where his office was still stands although the company closed operations in Malaysia decades ago.

Funcl And, he remains (for now at least) the only one among any of us who has appeared on locsl TV in one of the most iconic Merdeka (independence day) advertisements. Tugs at your heart, this one.