AFVOA Newsletters of Year 2012

Page 68 of 80 The main events were planned at Tezpur in Assam from 02-05 Oct 2012 .The invitation was extended to me and my wife to grace the occasion and that our presence would add immense value to the event. We made up our minds to avail of the offer. Certainly it would enable me to relive my youthful days in the area and share it with my wife, who had no opportunity to be with me during my tenures in the Eastern sector. What a difference it would be!! In our days, no family was allowed East of Calcutta!! There were no “jeeps” authorised for lesser mortals below the rank of a Lt Col (CO). Now we would be travelling in “Gypsy/ Staff Car” depending on its availability and with an LO in tow!! It would be a conducted tour and we would be guests of honour. Such opportunities come rarely after one has retired. 23 years of retirement is a long time and if the Corps Commander was so gracious to invite veterans for the occasion, we ought to respect his fine gesture and be present for all the functions. My memory raced back to my younger days in the Corps sector during Oct 1962, when we were landed at an obscure Second World War air strip in the tea garden area at Dinjon in the Lohit frontier division of NEFA, to be rushed to Tezu, Aalong and to Walong, in support of our forces. It was marching, marching all the way for days on. Later, after the unilateral cease fire, we were rushed to Nagaland to regain control of our vacated posts which were occupied by the Nagas. It was a tough grind and the young JAK Rif Infantry man had seen most of the then enlarged Corps sector on foot!! I am proud to state that the three tenures in the Eastern sector, be it NEFA, NAGALAND or ASSAM were memorable. To add to the glory, the rare opportunity that an Infantry soldier gets to partake in a War was also my fortune. The Indo Pak War of 1971 in which 4 Corps played a major role in the creation of Bangla Desh, was a feather in the cap for its swift action and exhibition of bravery and courage of both commanders and men who fought the battles. The genuine warmth and regard of the corps staff officers was very evident from the number of telephone calls to me to ascertain our programme of arrival and departure, difficulties if any for booking of tickets and offer of assistance. Above all, double checking was done with my battalion, who were told to provide escorts if needed, to ensure our attendance. We were requested to reach Guwahati on our own, and from there onwards, we were their guests, till we were safely put back on the plane for our return journey. Our movement was closely monitored till we reached home! How very considerate. Our onward and return journey air tickets were booked in advance and flight details conveyed to the Corps staff. They had meticulously planned our reception, stay, local visits, food to cater for the elderly, medical attention and planning departure by road after due rest, timely breaks to freshen up and so on. A well planned schedule for the “Over Seventy” to travel in those areas without getting tired or road sick. Guwahati as a town has developed a lot since I last saw it. Roads, bridges, flyovers, buildings, housing colonies and the number of cars and scooters, movement of people