Remembrances of Air Force life
part 2
Cpl G.S. Pandey
Cpl Pandey was missing!
Next day on reaching office, I tried to find what happened to Cpl Pandey?
‘Sir, there was much commotion yesterday; One Cpl trying to sneak in the Aircraft was caught by Air Force Police staff on round. He was brought down and the aircraft got delayed for about 15 minutes. Don’t know the name but he may be in a Guardroom cell.’ Voice was curt and sharp. Guardroom Warrant Officer In charge when contacted by my staff said, ‘I joined the duty just now. Will let you know soon.’ Puzzled about his whereabouts, I became more curious. I asked my staff to find out his office attendance. I sent one living in Airman from his billet to search his bags and other luggage. Both places got negative reports. Cpl Pandey was missing!
Leaving the issue at that, I got involved in my office work and the additional task of supervising rescue aircrafts. Days passed. Weeks went by. One day Cpl Pandey was in my office door! A bit surprised and annoyed, I said ‘Where were you, young man for all these days?
‘Sir, Sorry, I could not keep in touch with you and had put you in grief for nothing. After reporting for duty, I have rushed to your office, for only you will understand my feelings’.
Looking at my office desk, files piled up and often phone bell ringing and meetings at hand, I had no other option but to tell him, ‘not now come some day later’. But my mind was lingering with his thoughts. I could not have waited for more days. What happened to him? Did he reach his destination? Was the Air force harsh in dealing with him? Was his AWOL( Absent without leave) period regularized? Did he succeed in his mission to rescue persons he felt they were awaiting? Thoughtful of the events, I did not bother to look him up. Sipping a hot cup of tea, I put my head on the issues needing my attention.
‘Sir, Can I meet you at your residence?’ Voice was familiar but came from the other door which my staff used. That was Cpl Pandey again! ‘Sir , Please allow me to come to your quarter. I cannot wait for more. Sir please…’
I too felt that was a good idea. Agreeing to the request, he was in my 91/B quarter by sharp 8 O’clock. A friend of his brought him on a bike. He was introduced to family members. Seeing Airmen had come to meet Dad, children were not so happy. Wife Alka, sent out a tea tray by a servant. But tea went cold, when he started narrating, ‘Sir, I was removed unceremoniously. But that captain of the Aircraft winked at me and said in hush hush voice, ‘Fella, be here, I will carry you next time.’ After dinner, I waited behind your office in darkness. Around wee hours the same Aircraft returned. When the crew came back for final take off, I suddenly went to Sir, Salute him. ‘Are you still here? He looked puzzled. He then told me to go into his cockpit cabin and squeeze. Let us hope you don’t get caught this time!’ Cpl Pandey said, ‘I kept wondering how come the strict crew was so kind to me? When Aircraft reached a certain height, the second pilot took over charge and the Captain looked at me closely and asked what is inside your overcoat? Embarrassed, I opened the button, took out a water bottle and offered it to him! Having a sip he said, ‘how many?’ When I showed him the other seven water bottles stitched tight to coat, he could not believe his eyes! I felt you never know, someone may be thirsty, hence I went to billet and stitched at night and got ready for your call Sir’.
‘Ya, very clueful of you! Alright, be here, get lost when we get down.’ Before going back to his seat he said, ‘Oak Sir told me about you. Last words he said hit me. He said, ‘Your mission of carrying tons of aid material is futile if this single soul does not reach Bhuj’. From that I could get why he was so kind to me!
Changed Scenario!
Cpl Pandey’s friend’s hands were all the time holding something. Asked what is it? He said, ‘Sir, Pandey had taken 300 snaps! This is the album of it.’ And many stories started unfolding. Cpl Pandey started narrating, in his own style, ‘Sir, Look in this snap, at some remote village place, name I don’t know, full houses collapsed. The rescue team had not even reached. The bodies were covered with flies. I managed to call one person who came in search of his relatives. Both of us recovered a couple of lives still struggling to survive.
Holding another snap in hand, Cpl Pandey said, ‘Sir, here I lost my purse! I went to buy food for someone on the roadside. The purse was left on the opposite side of his Thela. Meanwhile some other people came and bought and went away. On realizing, when I went back to thelawala the purse had vanished! Along with money I lost my Identity card. For that I had to undergo Court of Inquiry!
Sir, this one has some background. When I went after losing money and I card to other places. Seeing me empty handed and without money, they started abusing! ‘Look this fellow; he must have eaten the aid given by the people and governments.’ When I told them with folded hands, ‘I had lost my purse and had not eaten for many hours.’ They took me to their tents and provided milk, water and biscuits. Then I took some young lads for rescue around places. There one camel was wounded and desperately trying to stand on its feet. Some boys called more people and with the help of long planks camel could move with great difficulty. Realizing impossibility we took water to its mouth. It drank some sips and took its last breath. Sir, there I witnessed how death takes place! Many places ladies were safe because they had come out of houses for some sundry work. Nearby school buildings collapsed but being 26th Jan, children had assembled on ground for flag hoisting and were saved! I was moved by one by one stories coming out with the help of snaps! You seem to be a good photographer? I asked, ‘Yes Sir, But I had to sell off the costly camera.’ That is how I could come back to Air Force Station Bhuj! This mission made me totally broke. On top of it I had to face disciplinary action!’
‘Sir, No problem about that, but I am very much satisfied. I wanted to reach out to the people. And I did up to my ability. Thanks to Indian Air Force. Without which I could never have ventured to reach there! Sir let me tell you the irony of fate!’
‘Sir, after the aircraft landed at Bhuj air strip, early in the morning, I got down along with Captain of the aircraft as a crew member. I was taken to their crew room. I took snacks and returned to the aircraft. Unloading was going on. But there was commotion all over. Everyone was shouting at each other. Material was getting mixed before counting and accounting could take place. Seeing that melee between aid agencies, I could not keep quiet. I suddenly shouted in a loud voice and asked them to stop work at once. They looked puzzled and wanted to know who that shouting at them was? I pulled up myself and stood with a firm stance and said, ‘No one is going to touch the aid material without my permission. I am from the Air Force. With full authority to control the accounting and I will supervise the distribution. Please cooperate with me. Otherwise I will call Air Force Police and you will be behind bars!’ My commanding voice and Air Force Uniform impressed the gathering. Some senior persons came to me and showed their credentials and asked me to lead the distribution of already accounted aid material. I told them, ‘Don’t worry, I am here with you. But I have not come as boss; I am part of your team’. Soon I took over the charge of the situation. Seeing this, Airmen from Bhuj Station called me to the airman mess. I had a bellyful of Lunch. There I met my old pal. I told him to manage a two wheeler for me. He promptly handed over the keys of a bike of his friend who was away on TD. (Temporary Duty)
By the evening, senior dignitaries had visited the Airport. I was introduced to them. They said since he had taken charge, the distribution had been systematic and without any hustle. They shook my hand, asked me to come along with them. Soon I was sitting in front of the District Collector! He greeted me and said, ‘we appreciate the discipline of the Air force. Good that they have sent a representative all the way from Pune!’
Wondering the irony of fate, here I was like a roaring lion and a few hours back, I was hiding to get into an aircraft! I looked at myself, my dress was shabby and my cap looked without brasso lusterless! But my chest was proud. I worked there the next day. Meanwhile, airmen from the Logistics section came and the Junior Warrant Officer took charge from me! I was now free to do what I wanted to do. Having a bike tank full, I started for badly hit areas. Without a map, I just started to go wherever the road took me. Stray dogs used to run after my bike like mad. They seemed to be affected by nature's wrath! Somehow managing to keep balance, I thought of your words, ‘Cpl Pandey, you are wasting time, what are you doing here? You should be there where they need you the most’.
‘I used to kick up and go further. Later I moved from Main Street to small bumpy roads, looking for distant villages standing on sand dunes. I had to drag the bike for some kilometers to reach the petrol Pump. My friend had to come in search of me to take back to Bhuj from the sandy puzzle. Night will not be enough for telling the story behind these snaps.’
‘Sir, you should be getting late for night. May I take your leave? Before that I have something for you. He put his hand in his pocket and took out a small piece of earthen pot like something. ‘Sir, to be honest with you, I have picked up from some broken and empty home. But once it must have been full of joy and vigor. I want to keep this in your possession as remembrance of inspiration.
As if that piece is telling me, ‘I am not destined to be in isolation with misery and poverty, I belong to a place of peace and prosperity. It was kept on my office table till I was in charge….
… Cpl Pandey came back for help again!... ‘Now what? I asked him with a question mark on my face!
Continued…
