AFVOA Newletters of Year 2004

Page 111 of 153 56. Having sent the baggage and having given my “mandatory” cocktails to friends and VIPs(read, DS’s) “to show off”, I was left with absolutely no cash on hand! Foreseeing this, I had surrendered my 2 LIC policies out of 3, some 3 weeks earlier, and was waiting for the surrender value to come any time! That had also not reached! So, my wife and I decided that we won’t celebrate my Birthday, but just spend it at home (in HOLMWOOD, Upper Coonoor, behind JOGRAJ, now there is a NANKEM Hospital by the owner at the same place!)!), as she knew that on principle, I neither borrow, nor lend money! 57. As I was returning from the college after the classes, my scooter came to a stop just short of the Gymkhana Turning!. I thought it had come to “Reserve” but was shocked to see, I had already used up the Reserve! Still, put it to main and back to reserve button again and started kicking. Didn’t I keep kicking! There was not a drop of petrol and the nearest bunk was in upper Coonoor, close to my home, about 2 KM away! All other students towards Coonoor and beyond, had gone, well before me! And I was in an uphill climb, near the Nala Crossing (those who have been to Wwllington as students or played golf there, would know, what a treacherous place, I am referring to!). Luckily I was able to push it for a while and reached up to the next turning. There I parked it in Maj NC Vij’s home, near the present TANTEA,! (yes, the very same, who is now COAS! He, Paddy, the last COAS, and many other senior officers, now retired, we all did the course together!), telling him that there was some m 58. Walked up to the mechanic and told him to check and bring it, without telling him that there was no petrol in it. From there, my home was only 400 yds away. While walking and cursing my life for being totally broke, I saw the postman(the one who carries Registered Post!) accosting me from a distance. I ignored him, as I was very tired! But he was insistent I meet him. He followed me on his cycle! 59. LO and behold, he delivered two registered letters to me from LIC Poona with a cheque each for a few thousands! My joy knew no bounds, I rushed home, told my wife. Then realized that the bank would close at 2 PM and it was already around 1.40 or so and my scooter was also not there. The Syndicate Bank was in Wellington Barracks, 4 KM away, i.e., a km beyond the college! 60. I didn’t know what to do, but still started walking. Luckily the mechanic and his “chokra” saw me and explained the sit, but he had already filtered and transferred, some petrol into my scooter from his. I quickly rode it and reached Syndicate Bank. It was 2.05 PM. But the manager was sweet. he allowed me to discount one cheque, for 3000 or sol Wasn’t I delirious with happiness! 61. I collected the cash, topped up petrol around 7 Litres I think!, (though only one week was left!), bought some sweets and samosas and came home by 3.15. Then had lunch, and went arid invited, my best buddy, Maj Prakash G Gokarn (Yes, the very same, who retired as SO in C, Lt Gen) from his home, Kennilworth, 3 KM away on Kotagiri Road! He, Geeta and their son, Ranju came in the evening. We enjoyed the evening just among ourselves and laughed it all out!! Prakash Gokam chided me for not taking me into confidence that I could always have borrowed some money from him! Let me not forget to tell you that the crockery cutlery used by us that evening was unmentionable, broken, chipped etc, the main ones having gone already by train to DDN!(Prakash called them “lecherous looking”, what an apt description!) 62. I am sure no one else would have had as miserable-to-be a 32 nd Birthday, turn into a