AFVOA Newletters of Year 2002

Page 62 of 84 In the 1965 Operations, he and his unit took part in the Rann of Kutch operations beyond Bhuj, providing necessary medical cover to the troops engaged in battle. Cessation of hostilities saw him being posted to another FMU based at Siliguri. The most memorable period in the Major General’s service career was during the 1971 War, when, during the course of the 13 day span of operations from 03 Dec to 16 Dec, while commanding a Field Hospital in the Poonch sector, in what was his third tenure in J&K, he and his unit, in the thick of battle with shells screaming overhead, were able to save the lives of 125 battle casualties. As a result of the commitment shown by the Lt Col, he was awarded the VSM for devoted and distinguished service. There followed a 4-year tenure (1972-76), again in colder climes, this time at Kalimpong as ADMS (in the rank of Col) of a Mountain Division. In 1978, promotion to Brigadier came with a posting to the Capital as DDG Eqpt & Stores, tasked with the responsibility of planning, procurement, and distribution of medical stores for all the three services. He attained the rank of Maj Gen on 05 Jan 78, and was posted as DDMS at HQ Western Command, Simla, with nine MHs and several FMUs under his command. Superannuation followed on 31 May 1980, when, after 36 years of distinguished service and a smile in his face, Major General Venkataraman hung up his uniform. He continued his professional activities for a further seven years as a medical superintendent at the National, New National, Apollo and Shiva Sundar hospitals. The Major General’s elder daughter is settled in the US, and works as a Deputy Librarian in New York, while the elder son is a Commodore in the IN, decorated with the VSM & NM. He was slated for promotion to Rear Admiral with effect from 01 Sep 02, moving to the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) at Vishakapatnam. Of the two younger ones, the daughter is Professor and Head of the Department of Gastro-enterology in the Government Stanley Medical College, Chennai, while the son is a Lt Col in the AMC, and serving as a cardio-thoracic surgeon posted at the Army R&R Hospital, Delhi Cantt. He is shortly proceeding to Australia on a two year study leave. Thus, the tradition of serving the country and the people continues with his children. Maj Gen Venkataraman is an active member of the Veda Ghoshti of the Sri Ratnagiriswarar Temple. Gen Venkataraman resides at Flat No M-97/5, MIG Flats, 30 th Cross Street, Besant Nagar, Chennai – 600090. His telephone No is 4915393. A motorist driving by a Texas ranch hit and killed a calf that was crossing the road. The driver went to the owner of the calf and explained what had happened. He then asked what the animal was worth. “Oh, about $200 today,” said the rancher. “But in six years it would have been worth $900. So $900 is what I’m out.” The motorist sat down and wrote out a check and handed it to the farmer. “Here,” he said, “is the check for $900. It is post dated six years from now.” d) Capt GS Bhaskaran, Inf (Madras Regt), M in D: Born on 18 th May 1922, he was commissioned in the Madras Regiment. This veteran of World War II was mentioned in despatches for his distinguished services during the Burma campaign. Much later, in 1961- 63, when seconded to the CRPF for operational duties under the Indian Army, he won the “First Person Award” for an act of gallantry while combating the insurgency in Nagaland. He is a devout human being, who is a gifted freelance writer who is a life member of the United Writer’s Association, Chennai and is the Editor of “The Lamp”, a journal published by the TOC H International in India. He is also a life member of the Indian Ex Servicemen’s League, New Delhi & Tamil Nadu, and of the Indian Red Cross Society, the Indian Political Science Association, the Institute of Security Training, Bombay, and the Tamil Nadu Academy of Political Science. Capt Bhaskaran is an associate member of the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Chennai. He is, like most of his ilk, a thorough patriot, and one to the core. Capt