It's a small world....yes indeed it is. I was interacting with a reader online this morning....and discovered that we were connected at different levels.....it was a pleasant surprise.
Agra, city of Taj Mahal.....where I finished my schooling.....and where she is residing now after her marriage.....
Air Force....she had relatives, including an Uncle.....
Miranda House College.....my alma mater...and her daughter is presently studying there.
Memories of School Days....Air Force Station....College days tumbled.....
One of her distant relatives from her husband's side and I went to school together....studied in the same class....and went for cycling together in the evenings. (Air Force Brats, we were!) Then I was in college together with a niece again from her husband's side.....same class...same subject....and same hostel! A niece with whom I share my birthday....a niece with whom I share the similar juxtaposition of our name & surname that it was hard for people to decide which religion we belonged to.....a niece who like me is still single.....and is somewhere like me in the Middle East! Now her daughter is studying in the very same college that I went to and is also a Hostelite!
It's a small world....and modern technology has brought it so much closer. A stranger she was but now....no longer a stranger!
Showing posts with label Air Force. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Air Force. Show all posts
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Happy Birthday, Dad!
Its Dad's birthday. I remember the times when I was home...and it was Dad's Birthday......Dad would always plan the menu for the day. He loves to eat.....not that he ever has much.....he loves a good meal. I gave a call in the morning to wish him. This time...he sounded surprised. Had he forgotten that today was his birthday? Time....age..........how I wish sometimes, I could just stop it for a while...
Here's a poem by Regina Hill which I really liked. To you, Dad.
Dad, If I Had Three Wishes
on Your Birthday...
I'd make a wish for
your health and happiness
and your dreams coming true.
I'd wish that you would be given
whatever your heart desires.
And after I was sure that
all of these wishes
were fulfilled,
I'd make one more wish for you -
the most important one of all...
I'd wish that you'd know
beyond any doubt
that I love you with all my heart,
and I'll always be here for you
no matter what.
- Poem by Regina Hill
Here's a poem by Regina Hill which I really liked. To you, Dad.
Dad, If I Had Three Wishes
on Your Birthday...
I'd make a wish for
your health and happiness
and your dreams coming true.
I'd wish that you would be given
whatever your heart desires.
And after I was sure that
all of these wishes
were fulfilled,
I'd make one more wish for you -
the most important one of all...
I'd wish that you'd know
beyond any doubt
that I love you with all my heart,
and I'll always be here for you
no matter what.
- Poem by Regina Hill
Happy Birthday, Dad!
Monday, October 8, 2007
Air Force Day - for Dad
My eye falls on the calendar.........it is the 8th of Oct! Wham! It hits me......today is the Indian Air Force Day! How could I forget this day? So, I dedicate this Post.....To Dad.
Dad served in the Indian Air Force, for more than 20 years. He took voluntary retirement as I was finishing my College. He started out his career here as a Fighter Pilot but ended up being a Navigator........I guess he got on the wrong foot of the Instructor! He was never the "Yes Sir" which would cost him many choice postings & promotions.
Dad participated in the Indo-Pak War of 1971 and did his part in the liberation of Bangladesh. He has also been fortunate to have remained as the Commanding Officer in quite a few places....as a young Officer. I still remember some incidents while he was the Station C O. The Driver would come to pick my Dad for work in the official jeep and at times Dad would have my brother & myself dropped off to school. Everyone in school would stop to look........Dad in his uniform made a handsome picture. Yes, Dad was a handsome man...........I'm not just saying because he is my Dad.......he was.....in his younger days....believe me.
Before joining the Air Force, Dad had been Assam (a State in India) Badminton Champion - Triple times...........now he continued playing as a recreation....and the Air Chief Marshal would especially ask Dad for a game in the evening....many a time. Dad's speciality, a backhand shot which many tried but difficult to give. He was also quite popular with the men in his Squadron........especially the Non-Officers...the Airmen.
Dad navigated the last flight of Fairchild C-119 Packet (Flying Boxcar)......from Agra to Delhi. The Packet was a Transport Aircraft but sometime in the 80's it was decided to put her away in the museum to make way for newer Aircraft - AN-32. Yes, Dad was stationed in Agra and from here he took his pre-mature retirement to pursue other avenues.
I remember, to celebrate the Air Force Day occasion, on a Sunday obviously (convenient for all!)....there would be a "Pagal Gymkhana" (Pagal meaning Mad in Hindi) or "Barakhana" (Feast) organized for all Air Force Personnel along with their families............a day where all ranks would come and mix together. Venue would be in one of the Hangars...lots of space! There would be games galore & lovely prizes to take home.........not to mention the sumptuous lunch! This was also the day when we could take a tour of the aircrafts parked in the vicinity! It was exciting!
I am glad that I am my Father's daughter....an Officer's daughter. Life in the Forces has taught me amongst other things....to live in harmony with people of all caste, color or religion (India being a land of diversity, the AF Camp had people representing nearly all the States)....the discipline one needs to maintain in life.... punctuality ........to be ready/prepared for any eventuality....... to fight for the honour........for the country....
Thank you Dad. I couldn't have asked for a better upbringing.
Dad served in the Indian Air Force, for more than 20 years. He took voluntary retirement as I was finishing my College. He started out his career here as a Fighter Pilot but ended up being a Navigator........I guess he got on the wrong foot of the Instructor! He was never the "Yes Sir" which would cost him many choice postings & promotions.
Dad participated in the Indo-Pak War of 1971 and did his part in the liberation of Bangladesh. He has also been fortunate to have remained as the Commanding Officer in quite a few places....as a young Officer. I still remember some incidents while he was the Station C O. The Driver would come to pick my Dad for work in the official jeep and at times Dad would have my brother & myself dropped off to school. Everyone in school would stop to look........Dad in his uniform made a handsome picture. Yes, Dad was a handsome man...........I'm not just saying because he is my Dad.......he was.....in his younger days....believe me.
Before joining the Air Force, Dad had been Assam (a State in India) Badminton Champion - Triple times...........now he continued playing as a recreation....and the Air Chief Marshal would especially ask Dad for a game in the evening....many a time. Dad's speciality, a backhand shot which many tried but difficult to give. He was also quite popular with the men in his Squadron........especially the Non-Officers...the Airmen.
Dad navigated the last flight of Fairchild C-119 Packet (Flying Boxcar)......from Agra to Delhi. The Packet was a Transport Aircraft but sometime in the 80's it was decided to put her away in the museum to make way for newer Aircraft - AN-32. Yes, Dad was stationed in Agra and from here he took his pre-mature retirement to pursue other avenues.
I remember, to celebrate the Air Force Day occasion, on a Sunday obviously (convenient for all!)....there would be a "Pagal Gymkhana" (Pagal meaning Mad in Hindi) or "Barakhana" (Feast) organized for all Air Force Personnel along with their families............a day where all ranks would come and mix together. Venue would be in one of the Hangars...lots of space! There would be games galore & lovely prizes to take home.........not to mention the sumptuous lunch! This was also the day when we could take a tour of the aircrafts parked in the vicinity! It was exciting!
I am glad that I am my Father's daughter....an Officer's daughter. Life in the Forces has taught me amongst other things....to live in harmony with people of all caste, color or religion (India being a land of diversity, the AF Camp had people representing nearly all the States)....the discipline one needs to maintain in life.... punctuality ........to be ready/prepared for any eventuality....... to fight for the honour........for the country....
Thank you Dad. I couldn't have asked for a better upbringing.
Friday, September 28, 2007
Down memory lane - Allahabad
My Brother's in Allahabad right now....for a few days....to attend a meeting....
Flashback!
My family lived in this city a long, long time ago. This is my youngest brother....he went to his first school here....pre-nursery. How he howled each morning! He literally had to be carried/dragged to school. After a while, he became one of the Teacher's favourite and liked taking flowers for her everyday and would insist on plucking the nicest one from our garden! Often, we had to coax him to choose a not so prized flower!
Another funny thing which happened and which we remember with sweet fondness was how my brother would insist on carrying Dad's briefcase! This was a nice big leather bag, standard Air Force issue for Flyers. It was half his size but insisted on taking this rather than the school bag which was got for him! Mom had to relent...otherwise he was not going to school and there would be the usual rolling on the ground and wailing his tiny lungs out! He literally dragged the bag to school.........it was indeed a funny sight! Only after his Teacher commented on why he was carrying a suitcase did he switch to the school bag!
How time flies........I wonder if he remembers his early days here in this city.....the city which is located at the confluence of the 3 Holy rivers - Ganga, Yamuna & Saraswati known as Sangam.
Flashback!
My family lived in this city a long, long time ago. This is my youngest brother....he went to his first school here....pre-nursery. How he howled each morning! He literally had to be carried/dragged to school. After a while, he became one of the Teacher's favourite and liked taking flowers for her everyday and would insist on plucking the nicest one from our garden! Often, we had to coax him to choose a not so prized flower!
Another funny thing which happened and which we remember with sweet fondness was how my brother would insist on carrying Dad's briefcase! This was a nice big leather bag, standard Air Force issue for Flyers. It was half his size but insisted on taking this rather than the school bag which was got for him! Mom had to relent...otherwise he was not going to school and there would be the usual rolling on the ground and wailing his tiny lungs out! He literally dragged the bag to school.........it was indeed a funny sight! Only after his Teacher commented on why he was carrying a suitcase did he switch to the school bag!
How time flies........I wonder if he remembers his early days here in this city.....the city which is located at the confluence of the 3 Holy rivers - Ganga, Yamuna & Saraswati known as Sangam.
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