AFVOA Newletters of Year 2002

Page 40 of 84 Today I can whine because I have to go to work or… I can shout for joy because I have a job to do. Today I can murmur dejectedly because I have to do housework or… I can feel honoured because Life has provided shelter for my mind, body and soul Today stretches ahead of me, waiting to be shaped. And here I am, the sculptor who gets to do the shaping. What today will be like is up to me I get to choose what kind of day I will have! Why not make it a GREAT day??? Obituary Weep not for him who departs from life, for there is no suffering beyond death. ~ Palladas The members of AFVOA mourn the demise of our member - Col John Phillip Devadasan. AEC, who passed away in May 2002. The AFVOA coveys condolences to the Devadasan family in their hour of grief. Tributes Lt Gen Inderjit Singh Gill, Padma Bhushan, PVSM, MC, (Para) remembered Death is anytime blessed; it is twice blessed for a warrior who dies for his cause. ~ Mahatma Gandhi (A tribute paid to the revered memory of Lt Gen Inderjit Singh Gill, Padma Bhushan, PVSM, MC, by Maj Gen Aban Naidu, PVSM, AVSM during a Memorial Service held on the 30 th April 2002, at the Gurudwara in Guru Nanak College:) We have gathered here at this holy place in Prayer. To you Brothers and Sisters, my sincere and warm compliments. I felicitate my “elder brother”, professionally speaking, my “Comrade-in-arms” and my dear colleague – Gen Inderjit Singh Gill, recipient of Padma Bhushan, Param Vishisth Seva Medal and the Military Cross, was the former General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Headquarters Western Command: My first association with Gen Gill dates back to 1948 in operational area of J & K region, when as a young Lt Col he was commanding an east Punjab Militia outfit. He was known for his daring, courage, doggedness and that “nothing is impossible”. He rendered commendable and yeoman service. Basically an “infantry man”, he was a stalwart and staunch Para trooper. He has to his credit many Para jumps and more worthy his jumps even retirement and ageing 70 years or more. He has commanded Para units and formations. Gen Gill has many credits e.g. during 2 nd World War he was air par dropped in enemy territory and because of his dauntless actions, he earned the prestigious Military Cross. He has many more, duly added, at various levels of command. He was Director of Military Operations during the east Pakistan War handling sensitive information, material, issuing operational orders and controlling and coordinating various actions of formations and units involved in the war ultimately culminating in the creation of Bangladesh. He was awarded the most honoured Padma bhushan. My closer association with Gen Gill was when he was GOC–in-C Western Command and I was GOC Delhi Area. We were like-minded in our approach to problems and the chain of command was smooth and purposeful. With his field service, war experience he was a