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 |   As the first blog entry got exhausted. My second book |
| Evolution of Love Part 2 |
| ~~ The helicopter appeared over the late morning horizon. We were to receive Mr Lachhman Singh Rathore who was visiting our Flight Unit to perform the last rites of his son, Flying Officer Vikram Singh. ~~ Only the day before, I had sent the telegram, āDeeply regret to inform that your son Flying Officer Vikram Singh lost his life in a flying accident early this morning. Death was instantaneous.ā It was the first time for me- to meet and manage the bereaved next of kin, in this case the Father of the brave officer. ~~ While most of the desolate family members insist on seeing the body, many a time there isnāt a body to show !! Flying Officer Vikram Singhās remains were only a few kilos āscrapped from what was left in the cockpit. We had to weigh the wooden coffin with wood and earth. ~~The pilot brought the helicopter to a perfect touchdown. Soon Mr Lachhman Singh Rathor was helped down the ladder.A small and frail man he was, maybe of 80 years, clad in an immaculate dhoti. ~~As I approached him, he asked in a quiet and dignified whisper, āAre you Venki, the Flight Commander?ā āYes Sir.ā āVikram had spoken to me about you. Iād like to speak to you alone for a minute.ā ~~ We walked to the edge of the concrete apron. āI have lost a son, and you have lost a friend. Iām sure that you have taken great care in arranging the funeral. Please tell me when and where you want my presence and what you want me to do. Iāll be there for everything. Later, I would like to meet Vikramās friends, see his room and, if it is permitted, visit his work place. I then would like to return home tomorrow morning.ā ~~A commander couldnāt have given me clearer instructions. ~~The funeral, with full military honours, was concluded by late afternoon. After the final echoes of the āLast Postā faded away, Lachhman Singh spent the evening talking to the Squadron Pilots. Vikramās roommate took him to see Vikramās room. Lachhman Singh desired to spend the night in his sonās room instead of the guest house we had reserved for him. Early next morning after a tour of the squadron area, my boss took him to his office. ~~A while later, the staff car took Lachhman Singh to the civil airfield two hours away. ~~As the car disappeared round the corner, I remarked to my Boss, āA brave man he is. Spoke to me like a General when he told me exactly what he expected from us during his stay here. I have never seen a more composed man on such an occasion. I admire him.ā ~~ āYes, Mr Lachhman Singh Rathore is a warrior in his own way. He sired three sons and has laid to rest all three of them. ~~ His first son Captain Ghanshyam Singh of the Gurkha Rifles was killed in Ladakh in 1962 War. His second son, Major Bir Singh, died along the Ichogil Canal in 1965 in an ambush. His youngest, Vikram Singh, who had the courage to join the Air Force, is also gone now. more to our countryās defence than All of us combined.ā ~~Yes, he is indeed a brave Indian ; in fact HE is MORE INDIAN than anyone else - His sacrifice can never ever be repaid by the Country !! He is almost a Martyr himself !! *~~ But what about the ' Losers ' ?? Those who have SIMPLY LOST their EVERYTHING to the Nation. Like this Father of Three Brave Soldiers. ~~* --- š®š³Jai Hind š®š³ šš» |
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