Guru's Air Force One

 During my 15 months training period, two important and happy news have come to my notice from my family. 1) in the month of October itself, a beautiful girl baby was born. I let it to you to guss who was that. 2) in July 1971, my elder brother and my teacher Mr Natarajan got married to an another teacher Ms Banumathy. Both the joys I could celebrate within myself as I was undergoing training. We had exams after every three months and had to pass for next stage of training. I had cleared each stage without much difficulties. My final exams were in process during the month of December when war was declared against Pakistan. Generally, after completion of 15 months training, the trainees who successfully complete their training, were given one month leave to visit their home. In our case, we were directed to proceed to border areas as the situation was critical.  Though this situation did not stop our exams, group photograph, tea party, passing out procedures etc but our one month leave was  stopped and we all left Bangalore on 10 Jan 72 with an instructor and reached Delhi on 15 Jan early morning via Chennai. (I don't remember if there was a direct train to Delhi from Bangalore). The train from Chennai to Delhi was a janata express with steam engine. It took complete 3 days and nights. The first winter for me and was literally shivering of cold. But the Delhi public gave us very warm welcome with garlands, sweets, CHAYA (tea), band baja etc as we were all in uniform. (Probably they might have mistook us that we are returning from border). At Delhi .....a small break.

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Guru's Air Force One

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