AFVOA Newsletter of Year 2021

Section 6 - Memoirs CV 2 No. 01 / 2021 Page 70 of 123 on duty and accosted him with my not very plausible story and plight. He gave me a pitiable look and after some hard questioning to ensure I am neither a terrorist nor a fraudster, offered to take me in his jeep to the IAF Station Mess. Landed there unannounced and got introduced to some at the bar, who didn’t think much of my penchant or plans. But readily offered me a drink. The Mess Secretary was duly informed of the intruder and after another round of friendly interrogation was offered a room to ruminate further. By evening Bar meet, I had become the butt of the joke and many looked at me curiously and some wanted the inside info if any. But the need of a "Stray Aboard" had gone around. At 0430 there was a knock on my room to inform that there is an emergency sortie to Thoise, the glacier ALG and if I can be ready can be shoved in as "Yellow Manifest". That is slang for last minute addition at the discretion of aircraft Captain. I fully appreciated the emerging situation and threw in a scalding hot bath as a last luxury and was picked up by the kind Air force Police NCO. An AN-32 was revving and I was ushered in with a shove and pull and my mind voice shouted "Patil! Here I Come." Landed at Thoise unexpected and unheralded and was directed to meet the Dy Cdr of SIACHEN, the Base Boss. As luck would have it, I found my regimental officer and friend Col Kishore Gupta, holding that fort and he explained " Hey Karthi, what are you doing here?" I repeated my sob story all over again, with one more chapter added up to Thoise. He took me to his Bunker and made me cozy. I requested him to keep my mission confidential, which he reluctantly agreed to. I stayed the day there acclimatising and the next day, I was lifted by a Cheeta helicopter to Base Camp. By chance my Bn HQ was located adjacent to the helipad and with the help of ground staff, I was able to achieve complete surprise and arrived at the arctic tent of the then CO, Col Bala and Patil, SM, who could not believe his eyes. The Subedar Major who was reluctant to invite me was dumbfounded but thrilled. So were all those Marathas at The HQ. I stayed for a few days, acclimatised and was air lifted to all the posts courtesy the Air OP and logistic flights. Did my official work too and had a planned hassle less return trip to Mhow. That is another story for some other time. Hope you enjoyed the lure of the unknown and call and joy of the Adventure as I did. Take away: The great camaraderie of the Soldiers that brook no barriers .