AFVOA Newsletter 03 of 2020

Section 5 - Memoirs CV 2 No. 03 / 2020 Page 63 of 167 Hills, the posh area of Bombay. He asked me to pick him up from his sister’s house in Malabar Hills well in time and drop him in VT station so as to board the Deccan Queen. On the appointed day on his return from Goa by flight, around 9.30 AM his sister arranged to pick him from the airport. As scheduled he went directly to his sister’s house in Malabar Hills. He gave me a call to confirm his return journey ticket was ready and instructed me to be well in time to pick him up. Keeping in mind the Bombay evening traffic, the distance from Malabar Hills to VT station I decided to reach his place by 2.45 pm and leave for station by 4.15 pm. I wanted to be in station at least 20 minutes before the departure of train at 5.05 pm. Accordingly, dressed in fully starched cotton uniform (in 70’S no terry cotton uniform) in cross belt with peak cap, not minding the hot sultry weather of Bombay, I reached Malabar hill residence at 2.40 pm. I was received courtesly by his sister who informed me that the Brigadier was asleep and would be ready soon. I knew that he was very fond of his afternoon sleep and difficult to wake him up without hearing mouthful from him. So no one was keen to undertake this unpleasant task. As the time ticked by, I was getting tensed. My request went without any tangible result. At last at 3.50 pm, I took it on myself at to wake him up. As expected he blew his top. I politely but firmly told him that if we did not leave in the next 15 minutes he may as well miss the train. I also reminded him that on arrival in Pune he had to attend a family function. This sobered him a bit. Yet by the time we left the house it was 4.25 pm. I knew it was a touch and go. Yet I told the driver to drive as fast as possible. With all efforts and with help from the traffic police we just reached VT station by 1703 pm or so. The porter who saw us getting down and rushing said that first whistle had already been blown. Fortunately, the Deccan was departing from platform No 1 which was very near to the car park. We managed to board the train when it was just about to start. The CSO had no option but to board the nearest bogey and not his reserved compartment. Deccan Express was one of the few trains in which compartments were inter connected. We pushed in his hand luggage and travel bag. He waved me off and said he will manage the rest. The train quickly picked up speed and moved away. I was fully drenched in my uniform and sweating profusely in that Bombay sultry weather. So I took out my kerchief to wipe my sweat and something dropped out of my pocket. I quickly picked up and to my horror it was Brig Sarin’s train Ticket. There you are. I managed to put a brigadier in the Deccan express without ticket.