The Soldier Undraped – Story of Late Col Satya Kumar Kohli, pen named Colls
FOREWORD, by Wg Cdr J Thomas, VM (veteran) Colls was our Cadet Sergeant Major in our second term at NDA. A fine cadet and senior, he maintained discipline without indulging in ragging or making our life miserable. I do remember a few occasions when we lifted our cycles above our heads. But that was good exercise. The only …
DIVINE FORGIVENESS
Our parents, whom we addressed as ‘Pitaji’ and ‘Jhaiji’ were a study in contrast. Pitaji was a man in a hurry, forever chasing his self-assigned goals and objectives. He was an intense person: focused to the point of being ambitious. He was an achiever, in every sense of the term. Jhaiji, on the other hand was laid back, relaxed and …
The Genesis of two “Farooka” Schools
The Sindhu river was called “Hindu” by the Persians. The name passed to the Greeks as Indós. It was adopted by the Romans as Indus. The river’s annual flow is about 243 cubic km — twice that of the Nile River and three times that of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers combined. The earliest chronicles and hymns of ancient India, the …
YOU HAVE LEFT US LONELY AND FORLORN, SURINDER!
Foreword There are billions of people on the earth. In the Chandigarh tricity itself, we have more than 11.69 lacs of citizens. The demise of just one person has caused many of us to feel forsaken. Reminds me of a couplet written by Nida Fazli and sung by Jagjit Singh and Lata Mangeshkar, which says, हर तरफ़, हर जग़ह, बेशुमार …
MY BROTHER, SURINDER, GAVE MORE TO LIFE : TOOK LESS
Prologue Brig Surinder Singh (1944-2021) was a quiet person, who was able to say a lot in the few words he spoke. His deeds did the rest. His presence was a source of joy always and every time, wherever he was. Whether in the military life or in the family, he accepted whatever he received. He neither sought a …
TRIBUTES TO (the late) BRIG KVK UNNY
Foreword Brig KVK Unny (born 17 July 1944) left us on 26 May 2020. He had been afflicted with a dreaded cancer for over seven years, but he battled with the disease with his characteristic fortitude, and those who met him during the Platinum Jubilee celebration of the Corps of EME in Dec 2018 did not find any trace of …
30th April 1997 and 6th May 2004
Twenty-three years ago, on 30th April 1997, our revered mother, whom we called ‘Jhaiji’ left for her Heavenly abode. Almost exactly seven years later, on 6th May 2004, our father, whom we addressed as ‘Pitaji’ joined her. Since then, during this period, we pray for the eternal peace of their souls. We also recall moments out of their pious and …
OUR ELDEST BROTHER : AVM MANJIT SINGH
This is a brief account of the life of our eldest brother, AVM Manjit Singh who took the long road to nowhere on 09 Dec 2019. He went in a manner in which many elderly people would like to go, if they had a choice. Born on 10 Nov 1934, he was nearly seven years older than me. We were …
WELCOMING AIR MSHL “LUNGI” by CYCLIC
CYCLIC is well known in aviation circles. We are now privileged to carry an article by him, quite appropriately with a Khadakvasla background. Even though he is an alumnus of PWMC and NDA, CYCLIC has not lost his sense of humour. He also dabbles in seriousaviation history. He proudly calls himself a “supercilious scoundrel.” Air Marshal Minoo Jehangir Dotiwalla passed …
REMEMBERING COL HARMEET DHOT, VSM
The untimely and sudden demise of Col HS Dhot on 10 Feb 2017 came as a body blow to us. He was the life and soul of the Chandigarh Tricity EME Officers’ association, and we have still not been able to come to terms with this ghastly event. Dhot was very appropriately named ‘Harmeet’ (it means, a friend of every …
