bout de papier, Vol. 29, No. 2 (2016), p. 30
“Mebs” with daughter Jai spouse Zoreen Nuraney
Mebs Velji was a devot and father. He was a trus a friend to all. When yo Mebs, even a few min energy, charisma and hi profound love that left a on anyone he met and 1’ Mebs’ unique million-bone-crushing hugs. enthusiasm, witty sense time he made for those be missed.
Mebs grew up in attended the University 0: He was an avid Vancouv ver Canucks Tan ana
an active athlete, playing hockey, soccer, tennis and other sports. He was also a skilled pool player, supposedly putting himself through college on his winnings (if the legends are true) and a poker shark. His zest for life was echoed in his appetite for food, be it fine cuisine, a home cooked meal or pub fair, and his homemade waffles with syrup and real whipped cream (not store bought but made from scratch) were heavenly and unparalleled. While growing up in Vancouver, he met Zoreen Nuraney, who would become his wife. Mebs and Zoreen were the proud parents of son Imran (12) and daughter Jaide (10), who quickly became the centre of Mebs’ universe. Dedicated to his family, Mebs was an active father and parent, who coached soccer, attended school recitals, prepared meals, and helped with homework. The four were inseparable, and had many adventures together as they travelled the world.
It was that profound love that left a
lasting impression on anyone he met and it was conveyed in Mebs’
unique million-dollar smile and bone-crushing hugs. His infectious enthusiasm, witty sense of humour,
and the time he made for those
around him, will be missed.
Those opportunities were afforded to Mebs with more than 15 years with the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade, and Development (DFATD). He graduated from the Management and Consular Development Program in the class of 1998—99 and spent the remaining years of his life as a dedicated Foreign Service Officer, with postings to Abidjan, Beirut, Port of Spain and New Delhi, temporary duties (TDs), including in Afghanistan, and other successful assignments at HQ. He was an important member of the Management and Consular Officer (MCO) and Mission Security Officer (MSO) communities, where he was at the forefront of the pro-fessionalization of security services at missions abroad and where his creativity and innovation shone through. He was also a key member of the Foreign Policy and Diplomacy Service (FPDS) team that launched the New Way Forward, Political Economic Renewal Initiative. His final assignment was as Security Program Manager in Delhi where he was greatly respected for his efficiency and effectiveness, was known for keeping his calm in difficult circumstances, and was an excellent motivator for his team. Mebs was a natural at connecting with people and rapidly turned strangers into teammates willing to work together, whatever the challenges that lay ahead.
Mebs passed away unexpectedly in New Delhi in September 2014. On September 29, he was buried in Vancouver, surrounded by colleagues, friends, family, and the countless other lives he touched with his positive energy and boundless love. The skies opened up that day in an almost biblical manner, as if to signify even the universe’s lament for such a premature loss. The hours, days, and weeks that followed were filled with anecdotes and memories of happier times, and a life thoroughly lived though tragically cut short. During his term as Foreign Minister, the honourable John Baird, on a visit to New Delhi, dedicated a playing field at the High Commission of Canada in India, in his memory. In Ottawa, DFATD colleagues planted a tree and installed a commemorative plaque in Bordeleau Park, in Mebs’ honour. And to celebrate Mebs’ spirit of giving and compassion, donations were made to the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), a private, international, nondenominational development organization that is working to improve the welfare and prospects of people in the developing world, particularly in Asia and Africa.
Mebs was a gentle soul who will be missed. But his spirit lives on in his family and those he interacted with in the way that he made anyone he touched feel valued and cared for. And if you only saw it once, that smile will be forever etched in your memory, as a beacon of hope for the kind of person we all strive to be.
Alnoor Maherali is a Foreign Service Officer. He first met Mebs in 2006 and overlapped during the Afghanistan TD, where he lost countless pool matches to Mebs. They were co-founders of the DFATD “Chai” club. Alnoor is currently on leave and working with AKDN.
Originally published in bout de papier, Vol. 29, No. 2 (2016), p. 30. Read the rest of this issue →
