AFVOA Newsletter of Year 2021

Section 7 – Panorama CV 2 No. 01 / 2021 Page 101 of 123 Kulwant’s wife lived in his home town in Patiala and my first thoughts were that he was just filling his time. Only later did I realize that people aren’t made like Kulwant any longer. Over a period of two years I understood Kulwant. At the end of it, I was embarrassed that I had ever suspected his intent. I can give you many instances of his good deeds. ******* To me, it all began with Squadron Leader Bhattacharya. One day, when Kulwant arrived to deposit the money in my office, he informed me quite sheepishly that Pilot Officer Rohit, a freshly commissioned cadet undergoing the Officers’ course for Air Traffic Controller was taking the bus ride even on working days, which meant he was missing the course. I too had noticed that Pilot Officer Rohit was on leave quite often. My curiosity got the better of me. “I knew something was happening, sir,” said Kulwant, his eyes notmeetingmine. “Right from the beginning. I have a few hours to wait in the town, you know that sir, before I bring the bus back to the Academy.” My silence encouraged him to speak. “Its Squadron Leader Bhattacharya’s daughter. Pilot Officer Rohit is visiting her. She’s missing college too sir.” I wasn’t sure what to do with this piece of information. “They make a good couple,” he added. Kulwant’s intentions were clear. He wished they could marry. Although love marriages weren’t the norm then, Kulwant was quite accommodating. He wanted the parents to meet. And he wanted my help to make it happen. That evening I called on Sqn Ldr Bhattacharya at his residence. Being younger and a junior in service, it was difficult for me to broach the subject directly. Having had a love marriage myself, it would appear that I encouraged the couple and was protective of what was going on. When I finally did gather the courage to tell them, they accepted readily. Both parents met and in about six months, we were invited to a great wedding. Kulwant came and blessed. If not for him the two souls may not have ever met. ******* Kulwant looked forward to his leaves. He longed to meet his family. Thebig burly sardar would go red in facewith excitement.This time, he told me, he would be celebrating his son’s second birthday. His doting wife had made all the arrangements. I hadn’t met her, but I gathered that theirs was a perfect match. Kulwant’s biggest regret was that he kept his wife waiting for him to come on leave. She had always complained of that.