My tribute to a man I respected and considered a role model.

Dear Leela and Dear Kaya,

Air Vice Marshal Ajit Sing Lamba passed away on the morning of 30 December 2020. He was suffering from leukaemia.

He was a Test Pilot having completed Test Pilots Course at Empire Test Pilots School UK. 

Was awarded VrC in 1971 war.

He was my Commanding Officer when I was in 22 Squadron in Kalaikunda from 1972 to 1974. 

I had tremendous respect for him as a human being, as a professional military pilot, and as an outstanding officer. I considered him a role model.

Here is a cut and paste job of my tribute to him on our Airforce Veterans group for you to read.

Other (main) reason is for you to know a bit of family history on how marriage of Ajoo and Ajji came about. 

"Sad to hear about passing away of Ajit Sir.

He was my CO in 22 Squadron at Kalaikunda.

A though professional. Very meticulous in everything he did.

A CO, who always looked after his boys and thought of their welfare and improvement.

A role model for me.

I was senior most Flt Lt in the squadron, almost 29, single and drank to excess.

I was marched to his office quite a few times. Given fatherly advice to give up drinking and get married.

As happens when you do not know what is good for you such advice is ignored. In one of such prolonged session, he tried to persuade me to get married. 

I presented all sorts of arguments against marriage saying,

- If I married and had children they would still not have completed their education when I retire.

- When milk is available why by a cow, 

- no money, 

- No girlfriend. It had to be arranged marriage. Do not know who I will marry. 

- etc etc.

He patiently heard all the arguments. Refuted them one by one. Vividly brought out that when growing old a time comes when milk and cow have no relevance. What matters is companionship and an understanding life partner. Eventually, having had enough of such sessions, I promised to get married during next leave.

 - I was granted one month's leave. 

- The then Fg Offr AV Bhagwat, OiC flight fund told to give me Rs 2000/- king's ransom those days

 - On a returnable basis of course. 

- Leave application to get married was "APPROVED" with the name of would-be bride blank in the application. To be filled up on return as a married man! 

To cut a long story short, during the leave after due process of "seeing" and "approval" of the girl got married within 15 days. Returned to squadron a married man !!!!

Filled up the would-be bride's name " PRITI" in blank space in application to get married. 

Today when I am almost 79, staying with a loving, understanding life partner who stood by me through the thick and thin, mostly thin, of the "service life", with children all grown up and happily settled with their families at their places of work,

I still remember the long session with my CO, which I had more than almost 50 years back in his office in KKD.

Following his advice was the best thing I did in my life.

Our firstborn is named Ajeet. Could not think of paying a better compliment to that wonderful professional and understanding human being. 

A great loss. 

Will be forever be remembered with respect, love and affection. 

May he rest in peace.

Velu"

Note

"Marched into CO's office" -  it was a ritual. Held mainly for dressing down of an officer for his transgressions in professional or social conduct. It was considered a serious affair and rare.

 Squadron adjutant marched the officer in CO's office wearing a peak cap, which was never worn on normal working days. Omissions/commissions/ transgressions were brought to officers notice, He was told to mend his ways.

"Permission for marriage". All things were done only after the approval of the CO. An officer had to submit an application requesting permission to get married with details of the would-be bride. 

While applying for this permission I had no idea whom I was going to Marry!!!!!!!!!!! 

It is really true. Such things did happen in the Air Force ( Defence Services).

Old Age and Winters.

With 8 -9 degrees C, Nagpur is going through 'severe cold wave conditions'.

I can hear people residing in the North and those living in sub-zero temperatures laughing at this statement.

If temp drop to 16 degrees C in Mumbai can make news headlines, why not 8-9 degrees Cin Nagpur be called  'severe cold wave conditions'.

In any case how much "cold," you feel is relative to individuals. When I am shivering in a sweater and jacket with monkey cap on, I see young boys and girls going on scooters/motorcycles in half sleeve 'T' shirts. 

It is all a matter of age. When the "fire" in you starts going out with age you shiver in temperatures which you did not even bother about when young!

I have always believed in "mind over matters' and not let the cold bother me. Even in this severe cold wave, went for my morning walk. On the second day of current cold weather, I just happened to sneeze. All hell broke loose. I was called an old fool for going out for morning walk in "this cold".

 The home ministry issued dictate 'not to go for a morning walk;.

 After 4 days of no walk, I rebelled/ declared that "my body is now acclimatised to low temperatures and from Monday I will restart my morning walks".

The matter was reported by the Home Ministry to PMO ( Ajeet at Delhi).

I strongly argued my case. I MUST have my exercise, I said. 

A Ruling was given that, as in any case, I have "nothing to do" I can go out any time after 9 or 10 O'Clock.

One can not fight against age and PMO ruling.

 I have now started going for my "morning walk" in the early afternoon.!. 

  

Footpath - how it is used in Nagpur/other cities.

 Dictionary meaning of footpath is "a path for pedestrians in a built-up area; a pavement."

Unfortunately, it is very common to see footpaths being routinely used as a showroom by shopkeepers to display their goods. Enterprising people selling street food also use it as restaurants. 

 All these activities are possible only because of the serious flaw of "Chalta hai" attitude in the majority of Indians. Particularly the concerned authorities. 

Every once in a while they wake up from their slumber. Accompanied by police all such unauthorised transgressions are removed. Only to return after some time. The cycle to be repeated ad nauseam.

In a first of its kind saw a business entity claiming public footpath as its own parking area.

  

Just don't know whether 

To get angry at their blatant disregard for rules 

OR

 Admire them for original thinking.

 You all tell me :-)

 

The Bliss.

Ambazari Lake.

The Bliss - Morning Walk Vignettes.

This 18-second video was taken at pre-dawn, in lowlight conditions, on the shore of Ambazari Lake, Nagpur during my morning walk.

It was too early even for early bird calls. Even the water birds and fowls were not yet awake

It was very quiet. The silence was so deep it was fathomless.

It was still. It was serene. It was calm.

Closed my eyes and took deep breaths.

I could feel the peace and serenity permeate my whole being, my soul. I felt peaceful.

It was BLISS.

Nirvana could not be much different.

I just wanted to stay.

Remembered, someone at home worried sick if my return home from the morning walk was delayed beyond 50 - 55 minutes.

Someone whom I loved too much. More than even this feeling of bliss!!!

Resumed my walk to return home.

When she is well both of us will return. Enjoy this blissful state.

Stay and will not return home, till we feel hungry for breakfast

Why not visit lakeshores in pre-dawn low light winter mornings. It will be worth all the trouble.

You will be well rewarded,

Good Morning - Morning Walk Vignettes.

 Typical winter morning.

Foggy, with Peacock above the fog layer.

Inversion layer; and

Peacocks on the pole. (some times)

Foggy, with Peacock above the fog layer.

Inversion layer

Inversion layer.

Peacocks on the pole. (some times)

GOOD MORNING.

Vanishing style of residential buildings

 

What a beautiful and soothing sight of flowers in full bloom.

Yellow Bells(Tecoma stans), Bigenvillea, Garlic Vine (Mansoa aliacea)

Garlic Vine (Mansoa aliacea) in full bloom.

For some time now, every day during my morning walk I enjoy the beauty of Yellow Bells, Bigenvillea and Garlic Vine In full bloom. These beautiful plants belong in the garden of Mr Yemde in my neighbourhood. 

Thank you Mr Yemde for giving such pleasure to all passers-by who care to look.

The house was very much there when we moved to our house almost 26 years back. So their house may have been built before 30 years or more. Generally, houses of those times were single or two-storied. Rarely three stories or more.

Houses were built-in part of the plot as permissible by building rules and the remaining area left open to the sky. Hardly any paved area for parking or such.

Most of the owners planted a garden in the remaining portion of the plot. Like the one, we see in the picture above. It gave pleasure to the owner as well as passers-by. 

During monsoon, in this portion rainwater was soaked by earth helping in maintaining groundwater level. 

As the ownership of such houses passed to the next generation, invariably the house was sold to builders.

Older, single/ two stories houses were replaced by multistoried houses. 

In such multistoried buildings with many flats, vehicles of flat owners were parked on the roadside creating traffic problems.

To overcome this, rules were made to cater for parking at the ground level or underground. This resulted in every square inch of the plot area to be paved with tiles.

Gardens vanished.

Sadly flower blooms of Yellow Bells, Bigenvillea and Garlic Vine In full bloom in the gardens of roadside houses which gave pleasure to many are vanishing.

To bring back such vanishing sights, I wish our lawmakers make it compulsory to plant a garden of reasonable size in each and every building as they had made rules for solar water heater, rain harvesting and parking.  

Beautiful Nature - Morning Walk Vignette.

Wonderful pink sky of pre-dawn,

or is it a blush to welcome 

coming of the Sun,

The pink and the blush is gon,

blame the 'social distancing',

when will covid 19 be gon. 

Wonderful pink sky of pre-dawn,

or is it a blush to welcome coming of the Sun,

The pink and the blush is gon,

blame the 'social distancing' ,

when will covid 19 be gon. 

Such excitement - I can do without!!

I am a military aviator. That, as well as life in the air force, has been a big adventure full of exciting events. Adventures and exciting events raise your pulse rate and flood the bloodstream with adrenaline giving an exultant  "high". Much better than the "highs" of Roger Uncle or Cousin Whisky.

I have enjoyed both types more times than I can count.

Recently an exciting event took me totally unawares and raised the pulse rate to unwanted levels.

It happened on 1 Dec 20. 

Beginning of the new month. Maid has to be paid and money has to be in hand for monthly expenses.

To withdraw money, I had gone to the ATM which is within 5 minutes walking distance. I had gone very early at 5:45 AM to be the first one at ATM before anyone else touches the keypads.

There are two machines in the cubicle. 

I inserted my debit card in one of the machines and pressed firmly, to my horror the complete card reader assembly went in the machine frame and was hanging by wires. the while this was happening part of my brain realised that the screen was blank. Tried to pull out the card, the machine won't let go, the card won't come out of card reader assembly which was dangling in the machine. My heart rate jumped as happens when excitement hits you.

Card reader assembly way inside the innards of the machine.

photo was taken 8/12.

While trying to pull out the card, pressed all possible keys on keypads. Nothing happening card not coming out. Meanwhile, I was frantically searching everywhere for a contact number of ATM service provider to report my predicament and unserviceability of the machine. No number anywhere Banks won't open till 10:30 AM. Couple of minutes passed which had felt like an eternity. Eventually, I could pull out the card. My heart rate which had hit stratosphere was returning to earth. Took some deep breaths. 

Turned to the other machine.

 Everything worked normally. Withdrew money. As I pulled out the cash, the machine asked if I wanted to view ac balance. Pressed yes. Noted that balance was healthy much better than when I was serving!!

Happily walked back home. 

As I was keeping the cash in Priti's cupboard, I noticed that ATM card was missing from the wallet. For the second time heart rate hit the ceiling. Went back running all the way to the ATM. Steps to be taken in case of lost ATM card flashing in front of my eyes.

It was still early and mercifully no one else seems to have visited the ATM. My card was still in the card reader.

Retrieved it.

Walked back home in a sober mood.  

Called up the bank after 11:00 AM. I was told ATM business was sourced out and they have nothing to do with it. 

In younger days sought higher pulse rate through excitement and enjoyed it.

Since retirement, such occasions have been few and far between. 

Now I can do without such excitements but still would love the other kind :-)

Different type of Vandalism - Morning Walk Vignette.

All around we find public property belonging to various government departments defaced and looking ugly with posters which are stuck on them.

The department to which such property belongs are either blissfully unaware of such defacement or they just "couldn't care less". 

You can see examples of such "couldn't care less" attitude all around you.

One prime target for such vandalism,( I feel defacing of public property is also a type of vandalism), are various roadside distribution/junction boxes installed by Mahashtrate State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd. 

On my route, these distribution/junctions boxes were installed recently. They looked nice in vibrant red and black colour with riveted warning plates of danger sign with skull and bones.

They look nice, (without posters).

They look nice, (without posters).  

As happens, these clean flat surfaces were too tempting a target to stick posters.

The other day in the distance, I saw a person defacing public property (sticking a poster on one such newly installed distribution/junction box). Before I could reach him he got on his bike and moved to the next distribution/junction box. Could not reach close enough..

Defacing of public property. Could never reach close enough.

 

Now, most of the distribution/junction boxes on my route and for that matter all over the city do not look nice rather they have an ugly look with posters sticking all over. Even cooling vents are pasted over without regard to safety.

Not looking nice at all. Posters all over.

Vandalism is a crime and taken seriously. I consider sticking posters on public property as a different type of vandalism. Like Vandalism, "Defacing public property" is also considered an offence under Section 425 and Section 434 of IPC.

 Most of these Departments have a legal section which is kept busy in prosecuting innocent and not so innocent consumers. Why not make their legal department responsible to prosecute such poster sticking offenders and stop such different type of Vandalism.

Wonderful Nature.

At Dussera time a leaf from what we call in Marathi 'आपटा' (Apta) tree ( Bauhinia racemosa) assumes tremendous significance because as per Indian Mythology, these leaves are supposed to represent GOLD and are given as a gift to friends and relatives on Dussera.

To avoid the trouble of locating an apta tree and plucking a few leaves people prefer to buy them from vendors who have located and mercilessly stripped the tree to have maximum inventory for sale and set up shop at important road crossings.

On the eve of Dussera, my apta tree had suffered extreme violence and stripped of all leaves. It presented a sorry sight and made me sad. My earlier blog here.

During my walks, I saw that my tree was slowly recovering. 

It has now been a month 

 I was not going for a walk for the last 15 days as Priti Was not well.

This morning when I went for walk, I was very pleasantly surprised to see my tree has regained its health and looked beautiful with a good crown of foliage. 

Recovery from leafless branches to its current state was miraculous. 

See photos.

My apta Tree on 27 Oct 20 - made me sad.

My apta tree on 4 Dec 20. wonderful recovery - made me happy.

Nature has its own wonderful and mysterious ways of self rejuvenation and recovery.

Sadly we have been destroying the trees so ruthlessly that natural ways of wonderful and mysterious ways of self rejuvenation and recovery are unable to restore the trees.

Unless trees are replanted/replaced the loss is permanent.

One day we will be sorry.