Update # 13: Only lip service; Jetly's family yet to get justice!

Close to three weeks after the demise of Wg Cdr Vikas Jetly, there seems to be noting substantiate happening from the side of IAF and India government. While, the IAF officials  have not yet made an official statement in this regard, India's defense minister A.K. Antony had at least the courtesy to reply to a letter written to him by Jetly's wife Shalini.

Here's what an IAF official wrote to Tarmak007, when asked why there's still a delay in getting justice to Jetly family. "I am told her case is under progress. While on it, there are a few things that need to be understood. She was offered a job as warden in Air Force Bal Bharti School where she could avail of accommodation and also have her children transferred for convenience, among other things. She turned it down and insists for a teaching job in The Air Force School only. She is a Home Science graduate, over 40 years and with no experience in teaching at school. She has only college teaching experience but as per the guidelines of the government her qualifications/age do not conform to the requirements for a fresh appointment of a new teacher. The AF is also considering seeking a special waiver for her from the Govt. Yet there is one problem. There is a vacancy for only one Home Science teacher and there is already someone serving for years. The teacher serving cannot be removed to accommodate Mrs Jetly. The administration is trying to figure out a workable way. While all sympathies exist for the family, some things do not find easy solution every which way the family wants. And rightly, as the minister wrote, things are being actually looked into," the official said.

Family members now confirm to Tamak007 that the Shalini Jetly is now planning to meet the wife of India's Air Chief through the Air Force Wives' Welfare Association.

It is indeed really sad that the widow of IAF's promising and ace stunt pilot is put to so much of difficulties by the administration. While it is great to see India's defense minister Antony has written to the family, what really needs to be seen is whether a solution would emerge without delay.

If not, it will be a major embarrassment to IAF, Ministry of Defense and other officials during the upcoming Aero India.

Justice for Jetly. Just that!

(A report in today's Deccan Herald)

Tarmak007 updates: News you might have missed!

Owing to the ongoing Justice for Jetly campaign, Tarmak007 wasn't hosting stories from Aviation Week Microsites. Here are the links to the reports that went live recently. Click on the image to read the full report.

1. The Indian Defense Research and Development Organization’s (DRDO) plan to set up a Defense Technology Commission (DTC) is inching closer to reality. DRDO chief V.K. Saraswat said on Jan. 28 that the DTC — formed along the lines of India’s Space Commission and Atomic Energy Commission — would enable more self-reliance among DRDO labs through better funding and decentralization. “After a lot of deliberations within the ministry of defense, I can confirm that the DTC is moving in the right direction,” Saraswat says. “Now it is awaiting the Indian government’s nod.”

2. India’s Embraer-built Airborne Early Warning & Control System (AEW&C) is scheduled for rollout Feb. 21 in Brazil. A senior defense official confirmed to Aviation Week Jan. 27 that the first flight of the modified EMB-145 is expected around May. “The first EMB-145 will land in India in August 2011 for system integration and subsequent induction into the Indian Air Force (IAF),” the official says. “The AEW&C with the systems integrated by CABS will fly in India in early 2012,” the official says. “CABS have already begun the integration on ground-based systems [according to the] exact specifications [of] the EMB-145, including the seating arrangements.”

3. India’s Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) is developing a range of protective clothing that includes jackets, vests, shoe insoles and heated gloves for pilots. “Though the majority of our soldiers and pilots are acclimatized to hostile terrains in the frontier areas and battle zones, it is pivotal to protect them from head to foot,” says a senior scientist with DRDO’s Bengaluru-based Defense Bio-Engineering and Electro-medical Laboratory (Debel). “In some cases the soldiers will be under severe physiological stress, which can limit their performance in combat missions,” the scientist says. “The normal physiological responses to cold weather are shivering and diversion of blood away from the extremities leading the surface skin to sink inward. Frostbite and hypothermia are also common while operating at high-altitude regions of Leh, Ladakh, Kargil, Dras, Mushkoh, Batalik, Chorbatla and Siachen.”

4. The Karnataka government in India has cleared a proposal submitted by Mahindra Aerospace to set up an aerospace component manufacturing unit in Kolar, near Bengaluru, with an initial investment of Rs 284 crore ($63 million). The government also cleared information technology giant Wipro’s proposal to set up an aerospace facility near Bengaluru’s new airport in Devanahalli, with an investment of Rs 52 crore ($11.6 million).

5. Dr Kota Harinarayana, former director of the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft program is recommending India focus its energies on cutting costs and development times in its future aircraft programs. “Today the aviation market has shifted from North America and Europe to Asia and in particular India, so what we need is [to manufacture aircraft that are] cost effective with the best operational capabilities,” said Kota during his keynote address at the India Defense and Aerospace Symposium 2011 in Bengaluru Jan. 25.

6. India’s national carrier Air India extended a series of fare concessions for para-military forces personnel, children and senior citizens on the eve of India’s Republic Day, Jan. 26. Air India says that the steps have been taken to make air travel affordable to more segments. As per the new guidelines announced on Jan. 25, the discount available to para-military personnel will now cover family members of Border Security Force, Indo Tibetan Border Police, Coast Guard, Central Industrial Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force, Assam Rifles, Railway Protection Force, Intelligence Bureau and the Sashastra Seema Bal. “Other than on apex fares, a discount of 50 percent on the basic fare component will be available on all fare levels in economy class for domestic sectors only,” an Air India spokesperson tells Aviation Week. Those from the Indian army, navy and air force already enjoy these benefits.

7. Bharat Electronic Limited (BEL) will showcase homegrown Network Centric Warfare (NCW) technologies during the upcoming Aero India 2011, to be held Feb. 9-13 at the Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bengaluru. I.V. Sarma, BEL’s research and development director, tells Aviation Week that NCW displays will include command and control systems; air space management; multi-sensor tracking; air defense simulation; battlefield management systems and coastal surveillance systems. BEL will also showcase new products and technologies including software-defined radio (SDR), the next-generation bulk encryptor and high data tactical radio. “The SDR will be on display for the first time,” Sarma says.

Update # 12: Antony responds to late Wg Cdr Jetly's wife's letter

Jetly's family received this letter from Antony today.

Agni Sakshi-III: One-palm wonder! Will you give a helping hand to this Braveheart of Balasore?

Jagadish Giri (30) is a taxi driver operating at Wheeler Island and in Balasore, whenever India prepares for a missile launch. Despite losing his left palm completely in an accident (not while driving), this disciplined lad drives around top scientists and engineers with ease. Photo: Tarmak007

RECOMMENDED: Read Agni Sakshi I & Agni Sakshi II first.

During my stay at the Wheeler Island for the maiden A2P launch, most of my movements within were in taxis. For a first-time visitor, this place can be little confusing. To top it all, you can’t have access to all areas, and even you have one, you have to go through very tight security checks.

I met Jagadish Giri – the focus of this concluding part of Agni Sakshi series – at the Wheeler Island. He is just over 5.5. feet, well-mannered and sporting a child-like smile always. He kept the car (Tata Indica) neat and tidy. As my acquaintance with him grew, I realized that Giri had only hand. To be precise only one palm! You could hardly make out any issues with his driving and he ensured that the sleeves are always down, covering the left hand.

The drivers in Bhubaneswar, Dhamra, and Balasore refer a missile launch as ‘firing’ and anyone with a defense ID or linked to DRDO\SFC\Indian Army is seen as a ‘firing officer.’ In that sense my new designation -- at least among the driving force was – a firing officer. When in Rome, be a Roman!

Giri (30) barely uttered a word unless you asked him something. His left hand palm got chopped-off completely in an accident in 2003. He was working with a plastic-manufacturing plant in Hyderabad then. He was just 23 then. He came back to Bahanaga village (30 km from Balasore) and had tough time for the next two years managing with one palm. His father (53) and mother (50) are both farmers and he has an elder brother is yet to be married.

DRDO hires taxi-operators whenever there’s a launch campaign either at Wheeler Island or at Balasore. The taxis are loaded on to huge barges and are brought to Wheeler Island whenever a launch program is on.

Giri has studied till 7^th Class and gets paid around Rs 3,000 every month. What makes him different is probably his undying passion for India’s missile programs. “Sir, I feel bad whenever the firing fails. These people put lot of effort. If the firing is success, we sometime get special lunch from the canteen,” says Giri. His knowledge of India’s missile programs is definitely far better than that of some of the table-top journalists of my era. He knows exactly the hits and misses of all recent launches.

Giri took me to the Prithvi Point and Island temple along with a DRDO official. I was stunned by the way he was putting the gear, which a normal driver would do with his left hand. I asked him whether it pained him every time he pushed the gear with a pound of flesh, now healed. “No Sir, now it doesn’t. I am used to it,” Giri said in Hindi, with a typical Odiya slang.

While I was leaving the Wheeler Island, he was very eager to carry my luggage to the boat, which was packed by scientists and security personnel. I kept some money in his pocket. “Sir, will you come for the next firing?” he asked. I nodded.

That was on December 10, 2010. Back in Bangalore, I started a mission to check the background of Giri and his family. I tracked down his bank and even spoke to the manager. When Tarmak007’s mission was explained to the manager, he too was ever willing to step-in.

After reading this piece, if you are convinced that Jagadeesh Giri deserves help, then please join Tarmak007’s mission in raising some funds for Giri. May be with your help, we could help him get back an artificial palm that will make his life and driving easier. May be with your help, this farmer-son could organize his brother’s marriage and later find a partner for himself too. If we support this simple soul now, may be his life will be different from tomorrow.

Jagadish Giri holds a bank account at State Bank of India (SBI) Gopalpur Branch, near Balasore. The bank manager Mr Rama Kant Sethi has confirmed all the credentials of Giri to the blogger and as of last week his account had a balance of around Rs 2,400.  Here are Giri’s bank details, if you may wish to help him.

FOR ELECTRONIC TRANSFER: Name: Jagadish Giri; Bank: SBI, Gopalpur Branch; A/c No: 30748374133; IFSC Code: SBIN0012053.

FOR COURERING A CHEQUE: Mr Jagadish Giri, A/c No 30748374133, C/o Branch Manager, State Bank of India, Gopalpur Branch, Gopalpur (P.O.), Balasore (Dist), Orissa. PIN: 756 044

BANK DETAILS: Manager: Rama Kant Sethi; Telephone Numbers: 06788 237055\237050; Manager’s Mobile Numbers: 099373 10542; 094370 13538

That’s all from Tarmak007’s Wheeler Island mission. Hope you enjoyed reading the Agni Sakshi series. Hope you will extend a helping hand to Giri, who drives around India’s missile scientists and engineers with one hand and tonnes of passion. After all, this 'missile man’ of a different kind needs a little help from all of us. 

(Your comments on Agni Sakshi series may be emailed
to anantha.ak@gmail.com. The  series concludes.)

Republic Day Special: An untold story of a true hero, true legend!

 Late Havildar Lachhiman Gurung, VC. Photo Courtesy: Alan Abercrombie

Forwarded by Wg Cdr Tarun Kumar Singha, VSM
PRO-IAF, Ministry of Defence

Wg Cdr T.K Singha

There is a story told in the Himalayan foothills village of Dahakhani of how a man sent out his son to buy some cigarettes at the village shop one morning in 1941. The son returned five years later, blind in one eye, minus his right hand and wearing the Victoria Cross, but without the cigarettes.

Young Lachhiman Gurung had met a friend in the village who told him he intended to enlist in the Gorkha Rifles. Recruits were urgently needed; the Japanese had attacked Pearl Harbor and landed on the Malay peninsula only a few days earlier.

In normal times, Lachhiman would not have been accepted as a Gorkha rifleman, as he was not quite five feet tall.  Like many other soldiers from the hills of Nepal, Lachhiman found himself fighting in Burma.

The campaign had swung back and forth but by the spring of 1945, although far from beaten, General Seizo Sakurai was attempting to extract the remnants of the 28th Japanese Army across the Irrawaddy so as to escape eastwards into Thailand.

At the beginning of May Lieutenant-General Sir Montagu Stopford's 33^rd Corps reached Prome in central Burma, on the east bank of the river. His orders from the commander of 14th Army, General Sir William Slim, were to keep Sakurai bottled up west of the river while 4th Corps under Sir Frank Messervy fought its way south to relieve Rangoon.

4th Battalion the 8th Gorkha Rifles was serving with the 7th Indian Division of Stopford's Corps. The battalion faced repeated, fanatical Japanese attempts to break out over the Irrawaddy and across

Messervy's lines of communication.  One company, commanded by Major Peter Myers, became cut off at Taungdaw west of the river in the direct path of successive waves of enemy attacks. Rifleman Lachhiman Gurung had joined Myers's company just two months previously as part of a reinforcement draft.

On the night of May 12-13 Lachhiman Gurung's section was manning the forward edge of Myers's company position. At 0120 hours on 13 May a force of 200 Japanese launched a night attack. The brunt was borne by Lachhiman's section and his post in particular, as it covered a track leading into the centre of his platoon position. The attack began with a hail of grenades, one of which fell onto the lip of Lachhiman's trench. He seized it and threw it back at the enemy. Almost at once another landed in the trench. Lachhiman snatched that up and threw it back. A third grenade fell in front of the trench but exploded as Lachhiman grasped it, blowing off his fingers, shattering his right arm and severely wounding him in the face, body and right leg. His two badly wounded comrades lay helpless in the bottom of the trench.

The enemy, screaming and shouting, formed up shoulder to shoulder and attempted to rush the position by sheer weight of numbers. Regardless of his wounds, Lachhiman loaded and fired his rifle with his left hand, maintaining a continuous and steady rate of fire as he had been trained.

For four hours Lachhiman Gurung remained alone at his post, waiting calmly for each attack which he met with rifle fire at point-blank range, determined not to give an inch of ground. Of the 87 enemy dead counted in front of the company position at dawn, 31 lay in front of Lachhiman's section. Had the enemy managed to overrun this point in the company's defence, they could have dominated and then turned the whole of the reverse slope position.

Although cut off for three days and nights, Lachhiman's company, inspired by his example, held and smashed each attack as it came.

Lachhiman Gurung was invested with the Victoria Cross by Field Marshal Lord Wavell, the Viceroy of India, at the Red Fort in Delhi on December 19, 1945. His father, aged 74 and very frail, had been carried for 11 days from his village to see his son decorated.

Lachhiman's injuries were so severe that he was unable to return to active Service during the remainder of the war. Not only had he lost the lower part of his right arm and right eye, he was deafened in one

ear.  On the Partition of India in 1947, the 8th Gorkha Rifles joined the new Indian Army.

Lachhiman had reached the rank of Havildar (Sergeant) but, because on health grounds, he decided to retire to his father's tiny farm in Dahakhani in the Chitwan district of Nepal. He married and continued to plough his one hectare (2.5 acre) plot until infirmity made it impossible for him to go on.

The isolation of his village caused grave hardship, as it was necessary for him to collect his pension money once a month from Bharatpur, 22 miles away. This could be reached partly by bus, but only after scrambling and slithering down the hillside for 12 miles to the road. Eventually, in order to collect his pension, it was necessary for one of Lachhiman's sons, Reshamial, to carry him piggy-back down to the bus stop on the road and back again up the mountain.

The former CO of 4/8th Gurkhas, Lieutenant-Colonel (later General Sir Walter) Walker, and Lachhiman's company commander Peter Myers maintained what contact they could with him over the years. In addition, so did Eric Williams, of Great Yarmouth, who had served as a forward OP Signaller with 136 Regiment Royal Artillery in support of 4/8th Gurkha Rifles in Burma in 1945.

This experience gave Williams a lasting admiration for the Gurkhas and, after discovering the straits in which Lachhiman was living, he paid for the education of his children.

The 50th anniversary of the end of the war in the Far East was celebrated in London in July-August 1995. Lachhiman Gurung was flown from Kathmandu to London to join other surviving VC holders for the

celebration.

This led to a wider appreciation of the conditions in which he was living and a scheme to build him a new house at Bharatpur with funds raised by public appeal initiated by the Honourable Company of Armourers and Brasiers and the Victoria Cross and George Cross Association and sponsored by the Gurkha Welfare Trust and the Sunday Express newspaper.

The two-storey house was completed in September 1995 and handed over to Lachhiman Gurung and his family, together with a sum of money to ensure his essential needs were met.

His VC has a place of honour in the room of the Regimental Quarterguard of the 4/8th Gorkha Rifles of the Indian Army in India to inspire future generations of Gorkha riflemen.

In 2008 Lachhiman Gurung came to England to live in Hounslow, where he became a freeman of the borough. Later, after moving to Chiswick to live in the Memorial Home for Retired Gurkha Soldiers, he became the honorary vice-president of the local branch of the Royal British Legion.

In recent years he invariably attended the biennial celebrations of the VC and GC Association in London, most recently those held from November 8 to 11 this year, including a reception given by the Queen.His last public appearance was at the Cenotaph on November 11 this year.

According to Army records Lachhiman Gurung was born in Dahakhani in 1917. He was twice married. His first wife died in the late 1950s. He is survived by his second wife Manmaya, two sons and a daughter of his first marriage and two sons of his second. His eldest son Sibadatt became a Major in the Indian Artillery and his youngest son Krishnabahadur is serving in the Royal Nepalese Army.

Havildar Lachhiman Gurung, VC, was born in 1917. He died on December 12, 2010, aged 93. A true hero and a true legend.

May his soul rest in peace.

(The medal is currently held in India, in the possession of Gurung's parent unit, the 4th Battalion, 8th Gorkha Rifles. The article is an email forward.)
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Tarmak007 Announcement: The Justice for Jetly campaign is all set to wind up with Tarmak007 getting definite inputs that every aspect related to the issue highlighted on the blog, media and the family are being taken-up seriously by the government and the IAF. Hence, the signature campaign will end soon, after which the same will be sent to Mr Antony. Here's your last chance to be part of a unique campaign.  

Update # 11: Jetly's pension papers finally move, but...

Any nation that does not honor its heroes
will not long endure. -- Abraham Lincoln

Late Wg Cdr Vikas Jetly's pension papers have finally moved. This after over one year of his retirement from the Indian Air Force (IAF). Family sources tell Tarmak007 that the Pension Pay Order (PPO) number has been released to the bank, signalling that the much-awaited pension will sooner or later start coming. It will take some more time before the family starts receiving the pension.

There's yet no official word from Defense Minister A.K. Antony following Shalini Jetly's letter addressed to him dated 17.01.2011. Aides close to Antony, however, confirmed the receipt of the letter, which according to them, is marked to Secretary Defense with a note "For Immediate Action." Now, the file will go through the proper-channel -- which means another set of delays!

The family members have concluded the 11th and 13th day ceremonies, post Jetly's demise, and are now putting the pieces together for a stable future. The load on Shalini has increased. She has to do a balancing act and take care of the needs of her aged parents -- father (80) and mother (77), in-laws -- father (75) and mother (65) and her children  (12 & 8). She also has to run around to get the dues from the IAF and continue with a life hoping against hope that the IAF would give her a teaching job.

It is now confirmed that Shalini is unlikely to take-up the teaching job offer from Indus International School in Bangalore. "She is ever grateful to the school management who came forward to help her after seeing the media reports. We are touched by the gesture of the Bangalore-based school, who did exactly what the IAF failed to do all these years despite our pleas. We are all settled in Delhi and it won't be possible for us to move to Bangalore to take up this job. Please convey our heartfelt gratitude to the school," says a Jetly family member.

Tarmak007 will keep-up the campaign going until the family gets a fair and deserving response from the IAF and the government. The online signature campaign is still on and the blogger is grateful to the online community which has been spreading the Justice for Jetly campaign to more people. 

 

INAE fellowship for missile scientist; INS Deepak commissioned; BEL to showcase NCW tech at air show

G. Satheesh Reddy, Scientist ‘G’ and Director, Inertial Systems from RCI, a Hyderabad based premier laboratory of DRDO’s Missile Complex, has been conferred with presitigious Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE) fellowship. This is in recognition of his significant contributions core critical areas of navigation systems and sub-systems for missiles, UAVs, aircraft and other various applications for the strategic needs of the country. He has been conferred with many DRDO National Level Awards for his remarkable achievements in the field of Inertial Navigation and SATNAV Systems. (Press Release)

INS Deepak commissioned: INS Deepak, the first of the two Fleet Tankers to be built  by M/s Fincanteri Shipyard, Italy, was commissioned into the Indian Navy at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai by A.K. Antony on Janauary 21 at an impressive ceremony. On arrival at the South Breakwater of the Naval Dockyard, Antony was received by Admiral Nirmal Kumar Verma, Chief of the Naval Staff, and Vice Admiral Sanjeev Bhasin, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command. The Defence Minister was presented a 50-man Guard of Honour. At the commissioning ceremony which was held on the Helicopter deck of INS Deepak, the ships Commanding Officer, Captain VK Madhusoodanan, read out the commissioning warrant which was followed by the hoisting of the National flag and the Naval Ensign for the first time and breaking of the Commissioning pennant on the ships mast. The minister unveiled the ship’s name plaque thus marking the formal induction of INS Deepak into the Indian Navy and the Western Fleet.(Press Release)

BEL to showcase NCW tech at AI-2011: Bharat Electronic Limited (BEL) will showcase home-grown Network Centric Warfare (NCW) technologies during the upcoming Aero India 2011. Bangalore will host the 8th edition of air show from February 9-13 at the Yelahanka Air Force Station. NCW makes use of computer processing power and networking communications technology to provide shared information of the battle space among defence forces. The shared awareness increases synergy for command and control, resulting in superior decision-making and the ability to coordinate complex military operations over long distances. “NCW solutions on show would include command and control system, a major display on air space management; multi sensor tracking, situation simulator and tactical algorithm for air defence applications; battlefield management system for supporting military users of all levels in a tactical battle area (from the individual soldier up to the battalion HQ); and coastal surveillance system,” says BEL.

(Owing to the ongoing campaign Justice for Jetly, there won't be any major updates on this blog until the family gets complete fair and deserving treatment from the government. Tarmak007 will only focus on the campaign during this period.)

 

Update #10: Bangalore-based Indus International School offers Shalini Jetly job; no news yet from Antony & IAF!

The Indus International School, promoted by Mantri Developers, has come  forward offering a teaching job to Shalini Jetly, wife of late Wg Cdr Vikas Jetly. There's no news yet from Defense Minister A.K. Antony and the IAF!

(This post will be updated) 

 

Update # 9: Bangalore Media joins Justice for Jetly campaign; shocked ex-student writes to TAFS princy; online signature campaign to Antony gains momentum

The Justice for Jetly campaign has picked up momentum. Military sources tell Tarmak007 that India's Defense Minister A.K. Antony has received the letter from Shalini Jetly, wife of late Wg Cdr Vikas Jetly (Jets). The family members are heading for  Haridwar tomorrow (January 21) for the 11th day ceremony and to immerse the ashes. The petitiononine signature campaign addressed to Antony has picked up on the second day (yesterday) with over 150 signing-up for cause. 

The Bangalore Media too has joined the Justice for Jetly campaign with the DNA and the Deccan Herald coming out with detailed articles today. This is the second time that both the papers have published reports on Jets. Rahul Singh (first to report) of Hindustan Times too is backing the campaign and has written two back-to-back stories so far.

The blogger received an email from Shivi Krishna, a former student of The Air Force School (TAFS), Subrato Park, New Delhi, where Shalini is seeking a teaching job. The 1995 batch student, said in his mail to the TAFS principal: "I felt a strange sense of disquiet on reading the plight of Mrs Jetly on Tarmak007. I write to you because being a product of this institution I could not fathom why Mrs Jetly was denied an opportunity to be employed on humanitarian grounds at this very institution where her children also study. I feel that whatever reasons the management had to reject her plea, it runs contrary to the values that this institution imbibed in me and all its students over the years. I therefore request you to kindly look at her case again and on humanitarian grounds see what best can be done to help her case."

We shall keep the campaign going and see what Antony and his Air Chief would do to help Jets' family. 

Hope justice prevails, finally!

Copyright DNA: A report by Hemanth C.S. in DNA (P 1), dated 20.01.2011, below.

Copyright DH: A report by Chethan Kumar in Deccan Herald (P 7), dated 20.1.11, below.

 

QUOTE OF THE DAY

Any nation that does not honor its heroes will not long endure. -- Abraham Lincoln 

Blogging for a Cause: Tarmak007 teams up with Zee Group to make the wishes of special children come true; IAF veteran AVM Lamba gifts priceless flying moments even at 75

Video Courtesy: Dr Gautham Machaiah, Head, Southern Regional Channels, Zee Group. Stills: Tarmak007 (Please note that the commentary is in Kannada. However, these are visuals which doesn't need any commentary.)   

 The write guy (blogger on left) & the bright guy (AVM Lamba on right.). Incidentally, AVM Lamba is turning 75 today and the birthday boy is spending a very quiet day with his family in Bangalore.

There are moments in life when you go speechless. Moments that make you think how lucky you are. Moments that will stay in your minds for ever. All these emotional packages were available in abundance at  HAL Airport, when Indian Air Force veteran and seasoned pilot AVM (Retd.) Ajit Lamba took off on his 2-seater microlite with special guest(s) on board. 
A background: It was in 2003 that the blogger along with journalist friends S. Seetalakshmi (now Metro Editor, The Times of India, Bangalore) and B.S. Arun Kumar (now Editor, Bangalore Beat) launched a unique program called i2eye -- with a mission to give the experience of flying to special children. We were all with The Times of India then. i2eye had the support of AVM Lamba and gave individual flights to a dozen children with various health issues. We launched i2eye in 2003, which was the 100th year of Wright Brothers' first flight. The program (i2eye) is not very active now, but all social activities are now under the umbrella Inspired Indian Foundation.
Recently, when Zee Group wanted to fly some special children (visually-impaired), the blogger was contacted to arrange an aircraft. This was for the Zee Kananda channel's Make-a-Wish program. AVM Lamba was ever ready, fighting fit even@75, when we approached him.
There were many extraordinary and emotional scenes in front of CABS hangar inside the old airport, especially when the children started to feel the aircraft parts one after the other, before the flight. The X-Air microlite named Pegasus (a birthday gift to AVM Lamba by his wife) was sitting pretty on the tarmac. DRDO, HAL and Zee Group   officials ensured that everything went ahead as planned.
A very special day to remember for a long time to come. Happy B'day AVM Lamba!
(Tarmak007 thanks the special efforts of the following in gifting the priceless flying moments for the children: CABS Director Dr Christopher and his team, HAL Bangalore Complex Head D. Balasunder and his team, DRDO Southern PRO K. Jayaprakash Rao and HAL security staff.)