"A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus." - Martin Luther King Jr.
Born into a distinguished family in Matara, Sri Lanka, on June
23, 1904, Badi’s journey from a young boy in the southern town to a revered
minister is a story of dedication, foresight, and unwavering service to his
nation.
The youngest of twelve siblings, Mahmud was born to S.L.M.
Mahmud Naina Marikkar Mathicham, known as Matara Mahatmay, was an affluent
planter and landed proprietor, and Fathima Natchiya, instilled in him the
values of his rich cultural heritage.
His early education at St. Thomas' College and Wesley College
laid the foundation for his academic pursuits, which he furthered at Zahira
College, Colombo. Here, he completed his Cambridge Senior Examination with a
keen interest in literature, tennis, and athletics.
His higher education at Aligarh Muslim University from 1931 to 1937 was marked by excellence, where he not only ranked second in the Inter-Arts Examination but also emerged as the top performer in his B.A. examination. His oratory skills shone through when he won the gold medal in the All-India Public Speaking Competition and the prestigious Oxford Meston Prize for outstanding debating.
Badi-ud-din's friendship with former Prime Minister S.W.R.D.
Bandaranaike and his wife Sirima Bandaranaike was rooted in a shared vision for
Sri Lanka's future. This bond was instrumental in shaping the country's
educational landscape, with Badi's insights often complementing Bandaranaike's
policies.
As the Minister of Education, he served from July 1960 to May 1963 and again from May 1970 to July 1977 under Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike, S.W.R.D.'s widow.
It should be noted that it was Dr. Badi-ud-din- Mahmud who
persuaded the late Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranaike to enter politics and accept the
leadership of the party as well.
As Minister of Education, Badi was instrumental in shaping Sri
Lanka's educational landscape. He championed the cause of free education,
ensuring that every child in Sri Lanka had access to learning opportunities.
His tenure saw the expansion of educational facilities and the establishment of
policies that have had a lasting impact on the nation's development. He was
also pivotal in establishing educational institutions that catered to the needs
of Muslim girls, thereby promoting inclusivity and diversity in education.
He initiated the Hajj prayers at Galle Face Green in 1928, which have now become an annual
feature.
His foresight was evident when he urged Sri Lankan Muslims to
learn Sinhala during his speech at Galle Face Green in 1938, predicting its
significance post-independence. He said in his speech “If this is done, all
misunderstanding will disappear and there will be perfect harmony between the
Sinhalese and the Muslims”. His advocacy for the Sinhala language showcased his
commitment to national unity and progress.
He was instrumental in developing an independent school called Zahira College in Gampola and he served as its first principal. Under
his leadership, it flourished from a tiny school consisting of four classrooms,
a shed, 67 students, and five teachers to a school that serves the entirety of
Sri Lanka with up-to-date facilities.
Badi-ud-din Mahmud developed a uniform of pajamas, frocks, and
a scarf for girls at Zahira College. His daughter was the first to
wear it and when she came home complaining that other girls are teasing about her
dress, he procured and issued the dresses to the whole school from his own
funds. That dress code is now widely accepted in Muslim schools in Sri Lanka. This
illustrates his creativity and lateral thinking skills.
His achievements extended beyond education As Minister of Health and Housing from 1963 to
1965, he worked tirelessly to improve the living conditions and health
standards of his fellow citizens. His contributions to social work and his
dedication to public service earned him the title of Deshamanya, one of the
highest national honors in Sri Lanka.
On June 16, 1997, Sri Lanka lost a visionary when Badi-ud-din Mahmud passed away. His resting place at the Maligawatte Muslim Burial Grounds in Colombo is a humble reminder of a life dedicated to public service without personal gain.
As we remember Deshamanya Al-Haj Badi-ud-din Mahmud, we are
reminded of his indelible impact on education and social reform. His legacy
lives on in the generations of Sri Lankans who continue to benefit from his
visionary policies and reforms. It was he who laid a rock-hard foundation for
the education of the Muslim Community, which hitherto remained academically
backward, to emerge as a valuable segment of the intellectual community in Sri
Lanka.
In eulogizing this great son of Sri Lanka, we remember not
just the politician, but the man who stood firm in his convictions, who spoke
with the eloquence of the learned, and who walked with the common man in his
heart.
Deshamanya Dr. Al-Haj Badi-ud-din Mahmud's journey from the
humble classrooms of Matara to the halls of governance is a narrative of
resilience, a chronicle of a life dedicated to the betterment of a nation.
As we reflect on his contributions, we are reminded that the
true measure of a life is not in the positions held, but in the lives touched and
the society transformed. Badi-ud-din Mahmud's memory will forever be etched in
the annals of Sri Lankan history, not merely as a minister but as an architect
of the nation's future, a visionary who believed in the power of education to
uplift and unite.
A few years before he passed away, I was fortunate to meet him
in Gampola at one of my relative’s house. As he was a founding member of the
SLFP, I asked him the relationship between him and the late Prime Minister of
Sri Lanka, Mr. S.W.R.D, Bandaranaike. I
was astounded and overwhelmed when he talked about their camaraderie.
May his soul rest in eternal peace, and may his contributions continue to inspire future leaders.
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