I had the pleasure of interacting with a few of the Veterans residing in Imperial Towers on the occasion of Independence Day. These men are not just retired officers of the Army, Navy and Airforce, but also thorough gentlemen.
Lt Gen VP Singh
Lt Gen VP Singh AVSM, YSM was commissioned in 1979 in 3 JAK RIF and later commanded 1 JAK RIF. Most of his 39 years in uniform were spent in the insurgency prone areas of Northeast & J&K where he served in every rank.
Lt Gen Singh’s maternal uncle, Brig SS Chandel, Ashok Chakra, was his inspiration to join the infantry, the toughest arm of the Army. The values and skills of adjustment and adaptability that the Army teaches every soldier stayed with him during service and helped him settle down in the civilian environment effortlessly.
Lt Gen Singh very fondly remembers the Army tradition where, on Independence Day, the Officers would invite the JCOs to the Officer’s Mess and on Republic Day, the JCOs would reciprocate and invite the Officers over to their Mess.
It was a great military tradition to generate brotherhood.
One particular 15th August that is etched in Lt Gen Singh’s memory – when, as a Brigade Commander in Baramulla (J&K), during the height of militancy, he was invited to a school run by the Army, as a Chief Guest.
The weather turned bad; it started snowing. Lt Gen Singh reached the school little expecting to see anyone there. To his amazement, not only was there full attendance, but also an all-girls band performed in full formal band attire.
It was a matter of great pride to see Kashmiri children perform and salute the National Flag in ‘white out’ conditions.
Lt Gen Singh’s message to all residents –”This Independence Day, let us rededicate ourselves to our society. At the grassroot level, let us work for a cause that is close to our hearts and make our Township and, in turn, our Country a better place to live in. Jai Hind!”
Rear Admiral Surendra Ahuja
Rear Admiral Surendra Ahuja is an aerospace & defence enthusiast who was a fighter pilot in the Navy and specialized as a Test Pilot. He flew 22 types of aircrafts ranging from microlites to fighters as also transport. He served on a number of warships and was fortunate to command three of them.
After retirement, Rear Admiral Ahuja had an enriching tenure in the corporate sector while leading the defence business of Boeing in India.
Rear Admiral Ahuja is the youngest of six siblings. At 16, he joined the National Defence Academy to fulfil his mother’s desire to see him adorn the ‘fauji’ uniform. He loved the Academy so much that if given a chance, he says, “I would go back and spend three years of my youth once again in the very same environment”.
Today, Rear Admiral Ahuja fondly remembers the movie Top Gun that inspired him to become a naval aviator.
Settling back into civilian life has been enjoyable for him and his wife. He says, “We are blessed to be living in a great neighbourhood. This Independence Day let’s resolve to be even more accommodative and even friendlier towards each other and to be kinder to the people who work for us in our homes. All this will help make this place even better. Jai Hind!”
Wing Cdr Amit Nigam
Wing Cdr Amit Nigam, a fighter pilot with three decades of flying all MIG variants, has been a Fighter Instructor and now flies Airbus 320/321 for Indigo.
As a schoolboy in Solan, Wing Cdr Nigam would visit the Cantt for sports matches and would hear the soldiers marching and would see aircrafts flying in the Valley, their engines roaring & thundering, piercing the sky with speeds faster than sound.
This had a lasting impression on Wing Cdr Nigam. Though he briefly joined IIT Kanpur, he left it to join the league of the extraordinary. He joined the Air Force as a fighter pilot. The young boy in leather jackets, Ray Bans and bikes bid adieu to the simple life and decided to live for what was his passion.
Wing Cdr Nigam would, every morning, say goodbye to his family, sit in the cockpit, on tons of fuel & ammunition, with a heart full of pride and with a sense of responsibility towards the Nation. Each day was a celebration to have lived to see the rising Sun the next day with a safe landing today.
Wing Cdr Nigam cannot forget the 15 August celebrations after the Kargil War. He and his colleagues in six aircrafts got airborne, did beat-ups at a speed of 840km/hr, at low levels, when the flag was being hoisted at their base.
In Wing Cdr Nigam’s words, “Let us celebrate, take pride and value our Independence. Remember, somebody came wrapped in the Tricolour so that we could celebrate this day. As citizens, let us make an endeavour to have actions that are Nation First. Jai Hind!”
