august 2018 vol ix issue 8rsisecunderabad.in/sites/default/files/august2018.pdfaugust 2018 vol ix...

AUGUST 2018 VOL IX ISSUE 8

(Our Motto - Aesthetics, Values, Courtesy)

(Extension of Telangana & Andhra Sub Area Offrs' Mess), C/o HQ Telangana & Andhra Sub Area, JJ Nagar Colony, Secunderabad-500 087. Tele: 27862584, 27862181, 27867884, 27867881, Army 6218 Website: e-mail: [email protected]

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Rajendra Sinhji Army Offrs Mess & Institute

Editorial Team :

Wg Cdr AB Bhushan (Retd) Mob : 9848048651,Wg Cdr T A Ramachandran (Retd) Mob : 9550864219 andSmt Shrilekha Khanna (W/o Lt Col J D Khanna (Retd)) Mob : 9849553181.

- Mondays, 1930 hrs Film Show Thursdays & Sundays

- Fridays & Tuesdays 1930 hrs Tambola

25 Aug 2018 Saturday 1930 hrs Monthly DJ Nite

Note : 1. Film Show in RSAOMI. Hindi or English film will be screened on Mondays, Thursdays and Sundays as per availability of the film from the distributor.

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RSAOMI PROGRAMME FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST 2018

Editor: Wg Cdr AB Bhushan (Retd)

Dear Readers

We are now in the midst of monsoon, as usual deficit rainfall at some places and floods in others . Parched earth and all living beings received water the elixir of life, plants big and small have had a wash and look fresh and green! That is life - The monsoon reminds of good old days when we were in operational areas in the 1960's and 70's, a hot mug of chai and pakoras, watching the clouds and rain pattering on the tin roofs - they were divine moments! Small joys! As Dr APJ Abdul Kalam observed all birds find shelter during rain but the eagle avoids rain by flying above the clouds. A lesson for us -Problems are common but attitude makes the difference.

The FIFA world cup has come to an end and France is the victor - all fancied South American teams lost! The Indian cricket team is in England and later we have the Asian Games, so plenty of action - every sportsman will WANT to win a medal but the one who trains hardest WIL !

This issue has articles on a veterans life, about an officer and gentleman and gracious lady to the core ACM Latif and Mrs Latif whom we all admired, a courageous commander, selfies, a craze these days but risky too from press reports of incidents and a lesson on how to become a singer .

Happy reading!

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Page No. 3

Mcs introducing the show






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MY SELFIE

Beautiful I am, says my selfie !!By day, by night, every moment, every minute, every hour,On the path, lighted by embers !!

Name spreads, sun or shade,

The body dissolves slowly, like a candle,

Burning its cells one by one,

Shining the fame unknown;

Pleased, says my selfie !!

Names unlimited, on the land,

Unattached to each, in diverse sounds,

From the ocean rising, steaming and boiling,

Charging the cloud and electrifying,

Happiness, says my selfie !!

Names, new or old,

Ask from the body, the atoms to burn,

The sky above and the earth accept,

Yet, this name, cries aloud that it cannot burn, I know not, says my selfie !!

Contributed byLt Col BJS Murthy (Retd)

Mob: 8008973335

WE ARE VETERANS

Nearing the uniform for many decades,

You have come through thick and thin,

You have served your nation, won accolades,

It's time to relax with lime and gin,

Comrades in arm, we have all been,

Veterans now with graying hair,

Life's ups and downs we have all seen,

Now live life without a care.

Go for a walk or play Golf,

Gardening is a hobby loved by all,

Music or Movies, it's your call,

But make sure you have a ball!

Children settled, liabilities none,

You have done your bit for your near and dear,

Dear Veteran, now it's time for fun,

Age is a mere number, do not fear!

Do not grouch or procrastinate,

Keep smiling, give a helping hand,

An attitude devoid of hate,

Dear Veteran, that's your brand!

Be in the present – the now,

Rue not on your glorious past,

The future will be, will be,

Come, let's all have a blast!

Contributed by:Maj Gen Rajendra Singh,

AVSM, VSM (Retd)Mob: 9441435688

IDRIS BHAI – II (AN ADD-ON UPDATE)

The preceding piece, titled 'Idris Bhai', was penned two and a half years ago in my AAA series, and was much appreciated by ACM & Mrs Latif; in fact he thereafter signed off his e-mails to me as Idris Bhai! In the past seven months both have passed into history but remain in the memories of those of us who were privileged to have enjoyed their friendship. I was delighted to learn that a commemorative book on this unique couple is being planned and am happy to update the previous article.

In retirement, my wife and I shared a comfortable, relaxed relationship with the Latifs in Hyderabad meeting frequently at functions, homes and kept in regular touch by voice and text. A pot-pourri of some personal recollections follow:

At a Christmas dinner party in our home, ACM Latif reminisced with great feeling about a close air force friend of his in the early 1950s who took him to the annual Christmas midnight carol service where he greatly enjoyed the singing and the ambience.

When my book 'Airlooms' was published in 2014, I arranged to have a complimentary copy delivered on his birthday (09 June). Both of them were appreciative while Idris Latif was most encouraging by voicing his opinion that, as it contained some nuggets of air force history, it should be in every IAF station library.

A newly bereaved widower (close air force friend and colleague) arranged a memorial service for his late wife in the church I am a member of and invited the Latifs who immediately accepted. My wife and I were requested to 'look after' them. They required no looking after but after the service, spent a great deal of time walking around the Intach building and putting questions I was hard put to answer! They then both sat quietly for some time in meditation before leaving.

Despite their age they attended almost every function they were invited to and we

admired their remarkable devotion to each other, stamina and patience. I recollect one prolonged Air Force Association meeting when ACM Latif in his closing address, highlighted some of the difficulties he underwent. He looked directly and fondly at his wife and said, 'Dear I could not have coped without your help and support'; a truly admirable gesture.

At a lunch party in their home the topic had turned to stress. I shared the story of an air force daughter (whose father Idris knew well) who, at a period of stress in her personal life, found great serenity by meditating alone in a gurudwara; she just happened to belong to another religion. Mrs Latif related a somewhat similar experience when she visited the Tirumala Temple in Tirupati and expressed the wonder of so many different religious establishments producing a similar outcome regardless of religious identity.

When the Latifs learnt that the Parkers were singing with Hyderabad Choral Society and Book Reading with The Little Theatre, they demanded to know as to why they had not been invited! They were a wonderful audience sitting in unreserved chairs in the ve ry i n fo rma l amb ience o f ou r performances.

On one of our frequent visits to our daughter & family in London, I met a dapper, spry 90 year old retired officer of the British army named Dick Channer. When he learned that I was from the Indian Air Force, he told me he had met and had lunch on a special occasion with 'the IAF Governor of Bombay' in the 1980s and that, if I knew him, I should convey his regards. I did so via a casual e-mail; Idris Latif responded immediately to say that he did not remember the name but did remember the occasion, and that I should kindly reciprocate the good wishes; a gentleman to the core.

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Page No. 6

In 1980, while at the Farnborough air show in the UK ACM Latif and I were standing together when a gentleman approached us to greet him. I stepped back to give them privacy but my CAS pulled me back to introduce me to the PAF CAS who smiled, held out his hand and said he had heard my name. After he left Idris Latif mentioned that the PAF CAS wanted to know if I was one of the Hunter pilots who had attacked the air base in Peshawar during the 1971 Indo Pak war? 'I told him you had led the strike' said our CAS.

In response to my monthly AAA I would invariably receive an appreciative and encouraging reply from the Latifs'. When these became fewer and then stopped, I realized something was amiss. In October 2017 my wife and I were away in London to attend the marriage of our elder grandson. The Latif's son Asgar and our son Kevin have been friends since their student days together at St Stephens. It was through Kevin that he relayed the sad news that Madam Bilkees had passed away. We e-mailed our condolences, but on return were advised against making a personal call as ACM Latif was in no condition to receive visitors. Then last month we got the news that he too had passed away and joined his wife of 67 years. It is to my regret that, owing to my own indisposition, I was unable to attend either his funeral or the prayer meeting. And so, a well loved, talented couple, who had served both the IAF and the country proudly, passed into eternity. For my generation, Idris Bhai was a role model par excellence.

Contributed byAVM CV Parker, MVC(Retd)

Mob:

IDRIS BHAI – II (AN ADD-ON UPDATE) Continuation ANYBODY CAN BE SINGER

All of us can be a singer, but only a few know how to become. One of the most important ways to become a singer is to relax and be at peace. Why do you think a lot many people sing in the shower? It is because at that time the mind is relaxed and not focused on completing any one task. It is when we empty the mind that it becomes the perfect receptacle for creativity. When you are not in shower, sit relaxed and allow your mind to drift. Nod off if you like. These are the times you are most likely to start singing your favourite song. We often talk about how at sometimes, someone through us is pouring out occasionally. That trance is the place where we meet and become one with our inner self....and that's the time, we must sing. Everyone who can speak can learn to use a singing voice, but not everyone will have a fabulous sounding voice. Once the vocal instrument is working, the ability to sing with good intonation is dependent on musical aptitude and musical achievement. Believe in yourself and your dream. Improve your singing skill. Sing as much as possible. Learn to embrace rejection and criticism. Network with people that are doing better than you in singing. Have a go at singing. Happy Singing...,

Contributed byCol Pradeep Pendyala

Mob: 9502997571

Page No. 7

STOP ! MINE-FIELD !!

Old soldiers, a small breed who have been in actual battle and survived, usually believe in the adage - Fools Rush in Where Angels fear to Tread – but with a twist of their own. They believe that - The Line between Bravery and Fool-hardiness is a Fine One, which they have crossed many-a-time.

There are two truths that are universally accepted in the world of the war fighting man. Mine-fields and the Old Man. They are similar but the twain do not mix !! Everyone knows the you do not enter a mine-field or be seen in front of the Old Man. No exceptions !!

In war-fighting Units, the Commanding Officer is, both fondly and respectfully, referred to as The Old Man. His writ runs in the entire Battalion, nothing happens without his knowledge and everything happens at his wish. He is responsible for all the 800 odd Officers and Men; for honing them into a terribly efficient team capable of wreaking havoc on the enemy and also for the safety of each member of that team. He does many things to ensure these two, obviously contradictory aims. He is a force all by himself.

Mine-fields are capricious areas of ground. On plain ground appearing quite benign but hide a savage punch within just underneath. In all fairness, mine-fields are laid with much thought and great deliberation. They are well marked, fenced and always given a wide berth by everyone. What one is not told is that everything can be turned topsy turvy if that mine-field is firstly, in an area captured from the enemy, secondly, if it is of great vintage where time and nature have conspired to obliterate all once prominent markings; and thirdly, if snow avalanches and rust have wiped away all warning signs. They are dangerous, sly, persistent and almost a force of Nature.

What happens when these two strange, un-stoppable forces of Nature come against each other ?

Eight Six had taken charge of a large chunk of the Line of Control (LC) in the early 90s in an eye-ball to eye-ball confrontation with the Khaki-clad purveyors of terror on our Western border within the Tangdhar Valley. As was his wont, the Old Man walked up and down every mountain, every ravine, to every village within his domain, every Pine forest, every Bhaikh, regularly all year round. At

times he got quirky and would go where no sane soldier would. But then he was the Old Man !! His mind was full of schemes, constantly forming to the great detriment of the enemy. We were to soon learn of these awful, for the enemy, but invigorating plans.

Kushal Company Post was on the battalion's right flank facing parts of two Paki battalions. Their area along the LC had plenty of steep slopes, thick Pine forests, thin Ridges, stony clusters and a river. Ahead of our Posts which were strung out in a line was a large flat thichly wooded area populated with huge Pine trees. On the tip of this Flat Area farthest away from us was a Paki Post on our side of the River. For unknown reasons the LC ran ahead of the Paki Post and then curved into the River. On the Flat Area was a mine-field laid by the enemy for self defence. Here came the Rub ! The Old Man did not like this arrangement.

After one particular visit to Kushal Company, the Old Man asked to be taken to the Flat Area where he was shown the barbed wire fence marking the mine-field laid by Paki troops several years ago. It was over 500 metres deep and the Paki Post was 650 metres away. He enquired as to how the land lay inside the mine-field and was given the frank answer that all that was known was from observation. “Ah ! So, could be in use by the enemy” was his cryptic remark. It set off a conversation amongst the JCOs and NCOs who had accompanied him.

As the discussion ranged back and forth no one noticed as the Old Man, tall as he was, smoothly swung a leg over the barbed wire fence and walked into the mine-field !! Behind him a sudden silence reigned. Every eye was on him as he kept walking farther inside. There was a collective drawing of breaths. Most expected to hear a blast of a mine set off. Several metres away he stopped, turned and in a quiet tone said “ Walk on where you see my boot-prints. No where else”. Thereafter, he continued on.

This was a new situation for the Turbaned warriors of Eight Six. They were the madly brave men, they were to be the ones to be leading in mad schemes. Others always followed them. Here was

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the Old Man so calm, so collected, so determined and so much ahead of them. Pride made them push fainter thoughts away and walk, gingerly, into the mine-field. One behind the other they walked in.

The two forces of Mine-field and Old Man had met and the out-come was quite unexpected.

They were led deep into the Pine forest until its very edge beyond which lay the enemy Post, clearly visible through the under-growth. He stopped. By now the warriors' inherent bravery had returned and they joined their Old Man in a tactical discussion of how best to deal with the enemy Post. Seasoned warriors that they were, conclusions were reached quickly and bare-bone plans were made on what and how best to neutralise the enemy's capability.

The Old Man's role as the leading light was not complete as yet. Where they stood, the Old Man seemed to shift his feet. Then he said “Chaps ! Look, there is something hard and metallic under my boot.” He cleared some of the soil away with his foot to reveal just under the thin top-soil three ammunition boxes !! His mad scheming mind had led him to a covert terrorist supply route from the enemy towards our area. Kushal Company JCOs and NCOs recognised it as not only a terrorist supply route but in their inimitable style said “Saab, this is from where we can turn that Post on its head”. The only thing the Old man did was look at the men with the recovered ammunition boxes, slapped his NCOs on their backs and walked back leading again all the way back. Into and out of a Mine-field; all back with no casualities.

Later that night as this episode burned the telephone wires with other Companys, the under-lying satisfied gup-shap in the battalion was that this Old Man is madder than us, he speaks little but leads a lot. He is “Sadda Banda” (Our kind of Guy). A sobriquet that many strive for but is given to so few in this fiercely Martial Clan.

Contributed by: Col ASP Vinod (Retd)

Mob:

STOP ! MINE-FIELD !!Continuation

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