Remembrances of Air Force life
Cpl Pandey GS…
A Good Fellow!...
Concluding Part 4
… ‘Sir. Are you the nephew of Capt P.N. Oak? Who was in Azad Hind Fauj with Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose? You never mentioned to me when we were in Pune?... Cpl Pandey asked with much surprise…
… It’s done deal, I will go to Capt Oak Sir to salute him … Said Cpl Pandey cheerfully…. “
Special Postal Cover bearing his letter to my civil address.
Sure enough, when he came to meet me in my room at 9 Wing all the way from Tughlakabad, Delhi he narrated the meeting with Capt PN Oak in great detail. He said, ‘Sir I was with your uncle when I went to Pune on my next trip to attend the last of the papers at Pune University. He said, ‘Sir when I touched the feet of Captain Sir, I felt as if I was meeting Subhash Chandra Bose. I saluted him while taking his leave after some hours from his residence 10 Green Park Soc, off Baner road. I was lucky to meet Mrs Sadhana Oak madam, a very motherly old lady. I bought some of his memorable books. He too was happy to recollect some of his remembrances of Netaji Subhash Chandra Ji whom he revered as a mentor in his army days. He said, ‘while in my law college days, I once happened to attend his public meeting in Pune. That time I never thought that I would be so close as a Personal staff for some years in far east war torn countries. I joined the Army and was posted to Saigon, (presently Ho Chi Minh in Kampuchea). One day, I got a call saying would you like to join Azad Hind Fauj? After some careful thought, I decided to join. One officer came to take me to Singapore. It was just some months before Netaji appeared in Singapore from Germany. Soon I was in his near ones. However, being very junior was under some senior Officers like Gen Jagannath Rao Bhosale'.
He then narrated how Netaji was involved in that ghastly aeroplane accident. He said that he got first-hand information from Lt Col Habibur Rehman who was with him on the same flight. They both were in the same hospital where Netaji took his last breath. However, later on, this issue became sentimental and many versions started to come out. Due to his previous instances of escapes and daredevil acts and his plan to reach Russia too somehow got mixed up.
Time passed so quickly, I had to take his leave as I was to return back in time to catch the train. ‘Sir, I feel that the outlook of our history should change if we accept his pleader-like arguments and logic with due documentary records as proofs.' he said to me about Capt P.N. Oak's historical research. Sir, meanwhile I bought your book on the topic of Naadi. It is really fascinating. I feel like doing any service at the feet of ancient sages….!
Our meetings reduced, once I remember I had some official job in AF CAO at Subroto park in New Delhi. I wrote to him about my visiting dates. So we had one evening seating in the cafeteria near Arjun Cinema Hall. Freedom between him and me was as per the norms of service requirements. However, I used to feel that his rank of Corporal should not be a barrier for me so long as we are connected with no official topics and likings.
Later on, I retired in Jul 2003 and settled in Pune. One day he did come to our new house in Viman Nagar but somehow was not well received by my family members in my absence. I used to get his letters. But due to his other commitments and postings, we were not in touch with each other for many years. I did speak to him to know from him that he was commissioned in the Logistics branch and had picked the rank of Flight Lieutenant.
However, he will remain imprinted in my memories as Cpl Pandey GS …. A Good Fellow!...
One of his memorable beautifully handwritten letters is produced below:
******
GS Pandey
7 BRD Air Force AF Stn Tughlakabad New Delhi - 110002
28 Aug 03
Resp. Sir
Please accept my regards and salutes. Hope you to be fine and restive.
I am in receipt of your letter No. 9W/Acts/13120 Pt. 1 dtd. 28 Jul 03, along with its enclosures, sevonier commemorating the first international reunion of Indian National Army veterans. My joy knew no bounds on receiving the sevonier back, sir. I consider that souvenir as one of my most prized-possessions, which I could acquire painstakingly. I cannot thank you enough for having taken the efforts to re-locate it during your busy schedule just before your retirement. (I sent the reply to his previous letter in which he narrated the meeting with Capt Oak and INA etc pasting his adr on the same and posted. But I didn't weigh it as much as what he wrote back in this letter! - This is that envelope cover I found through the internet.)
I consider it my most essential duty to reply to your letter, with your permission Sir.
Concerning your letter sir, I beg to mention it to you, I am too insignificant and a junior person to accept your salutation - ‘PRANAM’.I hope you would appreciate this refusal of mine to accept your Salutation.
You consider me to be your friend - I consider this to be the finest honour that I could attain so far in my life and I promise to stand true to this honour - in letter and spirit in my own way.
You also mentioned that the chances are rare that we would meet frequently - though it's only a sentence- but I can understand the decisiveness it denotes.I believe this one sentence of your letter has successfully conveyed all the things unspoken, unuttered and unwritten. between you and me so far. You are very true and I am happy with your decision sir.
Also, I felt good about you that at least and at last you could express your decision clearly. To reply to that sentence of yours, gladly I seek to write, sir. Your wishes are my commands as usual. (P.T.O.-
2
Though I would definitely stand obedient to your decision as expressed by you in your letter. I hope you and Resp. Madam would continue to bless me despite my being far from you and all you family members - standing true to your decision.
I thankfully remember the kind support you all rendered during moments of pains, unrest and lack.
I'd feel glad to be of any use that you'd like me to, be it in your research work, or washing your used plates, Sir.
I also would like to visit you all, as and when I visit Pune, most dutifully.
With regards from me,
And my respected parents
And heartfelt salutes-
Ever yours
Adr. for correspondence.
