AFVOA Newletters of Year 2003

Page 79 of 170 was to land around 1800 hours that fateful Thursday evening. The Station Commander’s instructions were that due to reducing visibility the cadets were to zig zag to or out of the runway. This method would take longer time for taxiing. As he felt that the barber would close shop, he decided to throw care and caution to the winds and zoomed into the parking lot. As he was running away to the parachute room to deposit his kit, he heard the baritone voice of Wg Cdr Wilson, the Commanding Officer. Utterly shocked, Rajagopalan apologized for the error, but to no avail. He was asked to go round the drome (a distance of about four miles) with the chute on. He realised that he would again be punished next morning for not having his hair cut. As he made the round, he saw that Cpl Manly the gunnery instructor was keeping him company, to ensure that he did not cut corners! He completed the course and deposited the chute by about 2030 hours, and being dog tired, went straight to his bunk and stretched out. Immediately, Flt Lt Gill came and announced that the CO was waiting for him at the Mess. Reluctantly, he dressed and went to the Mess, which under normal circumstances would have closed by 2100 hours. The Commanding Officer asked him the reason for disobeying the ground rules. Cadet Rajagopalan mentioned that he was in a hurry to get his hair cut for the morrow’s parade. The CO then issued orders that the barber shop would remain open on Thursdays, till the last cadet had his hair cut! The CO then told hi to have his dinner. When he went into the dining hall the waiter on duty mentioned that earlier in the evening, the CO had personally come in and said that Rajagopalan would be coming late and hence ‘garam khana rakhna’ be kept for him. After a hasty dinner when he came out of the dining hall he found the flight commander waiting for him. He wondered as to what had happened that the CO was still around. He then asked permission to go. The CO then told him, with a mischievous smile that he was excused the next day’s parade, as the CO did not intend punishing again the next day – for not having his hair cut! The point to remember is that enforce a rule do not hesitate to punish, but once over, take the sting out of it. Be human, and have no malice, and try and prevent double jeopardy! After being demobilized, Rajagopalan, joined the Tamil Nadu Police as a Station House Officer (Sub-Inspector). He was initially posted to the Districts, where he remained alone, as the children were studying in Madras. He returned to Chennai during 1960 and was posted as Inspector in Vepery Police Station. Three years later he was deputed to serve with the CBI and hence moved to New Delhi. While with the CBI, he rose to the rank of a Superintendent of Police and was nominated to the Indian Police Service in 1979. He served that organization with distinction till 1989, when he joined – on deputation - the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) as Vigilance Officer. He superannuated from IOC in 1992. Whilst with the CBI he won many awards including the Indian Police Medal, the President’s Police Medal and the best Investigator’s Gold Medal. After retirement, Shri Rajagopalan put to fruitful use his vast storehouse of practical knowledge in the management public undertakings and corporate bodies. After a short while, in deference to the wishes of his former superior – he joined the J Krishnamurthy Foundation as its Administration and Finance Manager. A few years later, his son started a flourishing garment industry, which then occupied his time. The Octogenarian has the following piece of advice to the younger generation: There is no substitute for hard work. Do not procrastinate. “JO KAL KARNA HAI USKO AAJ KARO JO AAJ KARNA HAI ABI KARO. Time is the only commodity you cannot get back when once lost. Be Honest in Thought, Word and in Deed. He has three children – a daughter and two sons – all of whom are well settled. He is also blessed with a number of grandchildren. He has published an excellently readable book titled “Different Strokes”, which recounts events, episodes and his experiences as a police officer.