AFVOA Newsletter 03 of 2020

Section 5 - Memoirs CV 2 No. 03 / 2020 Page 124 of 167 Dad introduced himself, “I’m Squadron Leader S. Harshavardhan. Have you seen a doctor yet?” “Sir, I’m Flight Lieutenant Raj.” “How did this happen?” “ S ir.. My wife and I were on our way to Kamakhiya temple this morning in a rickshaw. A young boy came out of nowhere and tried snatching my wife’s Mangalsutra (a married woman’s necklace) I caught hold of him and tried to push him. We both fell from the rickshaw. He took out a small knife and stabbed me. ” He lifted his blood stained T Shirt and showed his bandage around his abdomen. The gauze and bandage were saturated in crimson. “The doctor has bandaged you. But you are bleeding even now.” “Sir. I didn’t go to a doctor. I went to the pharmacy store near railway station and asked my wife to clean my wounds.” Dad was livid. “ Are you crazy? You are educated man. Let’s go to Army Hospital. I will get the Jonga (an indigenous 4-wheel drive for the Indian Army). Let’s go. “No Sir. I don’t wish to see a doctor. They will admit me. I will miss my sister’s wedding in Madras and the doctor will get me grounded.” For those not familiar with Indian Air Force policies, a pilot getting grounded is akin to a bird getting its wings clipped or a man losing his limbs. He was stubborn to say the least. “ Raj ! This is an order. Now get up and let’s go meet a doctor. I will ensure you don’t get grounded and I will have you and your wife fly to Madras.” Dad wasn’t even certain whether Flight Lieutenant Raj would fly again. IAF has always demanded their staff in the best of health. Pilots who are not fit do get transferred to Ground Duties. He got a Jonga and the driver drove Dad and Flight Lieutenant Raj to the Army hospital nearby for first aid. Then, he left for the nearest Air Force Station in Guwahati. He booked Indian Airlines tickets for the couple.