AFVOA Newsletter 03 of 2020

Section 4 – War Diary CV 2 No. 03 / 2020 Page 56 of 167 to amuse his dad. Later, Krish told us that he got all our letters in one bunch and kept reading them under torch light in his trench. Our charismatic Army Chief had kept his word. The “Thirteen days” war in the Eastern front ended on 16 December 1971, now celebrated as VIJAYDIWAS. It was a great surprise and relief for me to receive a Post card from Krish posted at the Dacca RMS office, that he was at the Dacca railway station as part of the victorious Indian Army. Our joy knew no bounds when we found in the Newspaper, Krish’s name in the awardees list of VIR CHAKRA. My in-laws at Chennai were thrilled as also the rest of the family members. The investiture ceremony was scheduled in April 1972. Krish came by the Airforce courier flight on temporary duty for a week for his investiture. My in-laws could not attend the great day as only one guest was allowed. They gave me the privilege to attend the ceremony, little realizing that a few years later, my father in- law would be honoured by the President Neelam Sanjeev Reddy for writing the History of All India Radio (AIR) during its Golden Jubilee year, and my beaming mother-in law and my elder son became the honoured guests! The investiture ceremony was awesome with the President V.V, Giri, PM Indira Gandhi, Cabinet Ministers, MPs and the three Service Chiefs in attendance to applaud the heroes. The Defence Secretary read out each citation before the recipient marched up and saluted the President, who pinned the award to the deafening applause of the august audience. The recipients were cautioned not to bang their boots when they stood to attention lest the gold braided Persian carpet at the Asoka Hall gets frayed! My heart went out to the ladies in white who waited to receive the posthumous awards and prayed for their peace and welfare. I could not forget the face of a young wife of an Air force pilot fresh as a blooming rose with tears in her eyes. How cruel can wars be to snatch away so many lives in their prime. We came home after the function to meet the eagerly waiting children. Krish had the time to buy new dresses for the boys at Guwahati on his way to Delhi. The boys were attired in the then fashionable ‘Rajesh Khanna’ combination suit with belts made famous by the movie “Hathi Mere Sathi”. We took family snaps on this memorable day which ended in great joy and cheer.