AFVOA Newsletter of Year 2021

Section 6 - Memoirs CV 2 No. 01 / 2021 Page 75 of 123 reproduction of the conversation between the two. Please assume a thick Mallu accent for the Sqn Ldr throughout this call : Sqn Ldr : (in a whispering voice) Hello, is it the Station Commander Sir? Stn Cdr : (In a gruff voice) Yes. Dammit, you are calling the Station Commander’s number and asking if it is the Station Commander speaking? What’s wrong with you? And why are you whispering? Sqn Ldr : Sir, Sir, please don’t shout. I am Corporal Nair speaking from Blast Pen 3. I am on Guard Duty here. There is a Cheetah here Sir. Stn Cdr : What? (The fauna of the place included Black Panthers but during the 2+ years that I spent there, never had a single sighting of either a Black Panther or a Cheetah) Sqn Ldr : Sir, again I am asking. Please don’t shout Sir. There is a Cheetah here. Stn Cdr: (In a whispering voice now) What is it doing? Sqn Cdr : It is simply looking at me Sir. Stn Cdr : (Continuing in is whispering voice): Now now, Corporal Nair, listen to me…don’t do anything to attract his attention. Sqn Ldr : Sir, I don’t know how not to attract his attention when it is already looking at me Sir. Stn Cdr : Ok ok. Do you have your rifle with you? Sqn Ldr : Yes Sir, but it is not cocking up Sir. Stn Cdr: (Losing his cool) What? When did you attend the last range firing practice? Ok Ok. Never mind. We will sort that out later. Corporal Nair, have you informed the Duty Officer? Sqn Ldr : I tried Sir. He is not picking up his phone Sir. I think he is in the bath room Sir. Stn Cdr : Have you informed the Guard Room? Sqn Ldr : No Sir. Don’t mistake me Sir. I am scared of the Police guys there. I am also very scared of the Cheetah Sir. Stn Cdr : Now now Corporal Nair. Stay put in the same place. Don’t do any quick movements that would anger the Cheetah. Keep your rifle handy. I am coming. Which Blast Pen did you say you are in? Sqn Ldr : Three Sir. Please come fast Sir.