Lage Raho Air Warrior!

by Veteran Air Mshl PV Athawale

(Published in AFA News Oct '16)

Once an air warrior, always an air warrior! Thankfully, I have not heard the usage of the term ‘air warrior’ associated with qualifiers like ‘Ex’, ‘Retd’ or even the one in fashion today - ‘Veteran’.

Something extraordinary happened around the turn of the century when we all became air warriors from officers, airmen, Senior NCOs etc. In my opinion, that was one of the three prominent cultural changes in the Air Force in many decades. The other two were ‘The Air Force Song’ and the culture of greeting each other with
‘Jai Hind’.

Jai Hind brought us closer home as Bhartiya Vayu Sena, shedding off our Royal touch. The Air Force Song gave us our own marching (shall we say flying) tune. Since then, it’s been delightful to see serving and retired alike not just lip syncing but singing aloud on every available opportunity. The AF Song sung in our schools has further provided our children in their formative years with an emotional attachment to the country and the Air Force.

In my early years in the squadron, I recall how excited all technicians and non-technicians were when an Op task was accomplished by the Sqn pilots or they came out with flying colours in a gunnery meet. But, somewhere we felt disappointed as the countrymen recognised us as ground engineers, technicians and administrative staff working in IAF. In a combat force, where few get an opportunity to face the adversary, this ‘air warrior’ tag has given us, the large majority on ground, a tremendous sense of value and pride.

A common ‘air warrior’ label has also been a reflection of the true character of this wonderful family, our Indian Air Force. Despite the hierarchical needs of a combat force for unity of command, our inter-personal relationships have always been cordial and relaxed. Every one of us would surely recall nostalgic memories of great camaraderie.

My Squadron Commander, Wg Cdr KK Bakshi would first offer me (the Plt Offr) a Gold Flake, with a wink to make me comfortable before looking at files I carried for him. I also affectionately recall my first two teachers in the Squadron; Sqn Ldr AA Francis and Flt Sgt Govindrajlu. For many years later, it was a pleasure to meet the lovable Hony Flt Lt Govindrajlu, a proud owner of an auto repair garage in Bengaluru till I lost contact with him. Air Cmde Francis continues to reminisce about Govindrajlu’s technical acumen and leadership. On my change of stream, in a Tropo Hub Centre, the leadership duo changed to Wg Cdr S Gulati, the CO and JWO Narayanan, the ace technician... And, the story continued for all the wonderful years with the Air Force.

Experiences as a member of the Air Force Cricket team have also been very gratifying. During a veteran cricketers’ reunion at Nagpur, when I was still in service, I got a lesson in bonhomie and values as all senior retired officers advised me to felicitate Ex Cpl Dharmalingam ahead of everyone as the senior most cricketer present – ranks didn’t come in the way!

Air Force Association is a group formed by us, the retired. Welfare is a vital part of this association with aging members in need of help through companionship and financial assistance. AFA does a great job of it. However, besides seeking welfare, we can also project an image of ‘We can still do it’! Let me draw strength and motivation from Air Mshl MS Bawa’s assertion when being felicitated as an octogenarian by AFA. He energised the audience by reciting a poem, the gist of which was “अभी तो उड़ान बाक़ी है पंछी, अभी तो जान बाक़ी है!” We can contribute towards nation building in several ways even today.

It is delightful to find a significant number of retired officers and airmen as entrepreneurs or handsomely employed. They are already contributing to the national economy. Besides them, thousands of us enjoying good health and yet not seeking routine employment also aspire to do something meaningful. We wish to spread strong ethos, gathered over the years, towards developing a national character. We can teach school children. We can assist the administration in implementing traffic norms and many more such endeavours. We are contributors and not a burden. We can enlist ourselves with AFA to volunteer - it will strengthen our AFA.

Sometime ago I had published an article titled ‘Make in India Needs Ex-servicemen’. I wish to modify that expression today to say “Ex-servicemen are needed for Making India”.

The level of human endurance has not yet been found. Therefore, I say “Lage Raho Air Warrior!” You are required by Bharat Mata!

(Blog at pvathawale@blogspot.com)