Air Force Central School 64-65 Excellent Adventures in Coonoor, February 3-5, 2015
Friday, March 6, 2015
Big Bash 3: Da Gang Arrives in Coonoor

AFCSers held Big Bash 3
At Coonoor we AFCSers held Big Bash 3
A combo of classes '64 and '65, d'you see
The spirit was willing, with fun times galore
And the years rolled away; 'twas '58 once more
--
Ekta was the Queen of Hearts
Saroj our doyen of the Fine Arts
Pammi wielded a mean knitting needle,
while Shylaja could always our teacher wheedle
Into forgiving our shenanigans (never malicious).
Miss Gupta taught us to make food (delicious)
Our needles she guided, mastering embroidery
While the boys, they slaved away at carpentry
Amitava, Rudy, Gurumani , Puddy and Pavan
Bala, Biman, Dalip, Ashok, Gurramnik - the list goes on
With a nod to Vijaya, Geetha and GVG
For I left AFCS before their entry, you see.
--
Fast forward, and Anjan, Geethu, AB and Ranju,
Neelam and Ashok (guests), GVG and Namagiri too
Anil and Vijay, Tava and Jhilmil, Manjit and Neena,
Rudy and Ann, Pammi and Tejpal, Biman and Roma,
Graced the gathering, hosted perfectly by Snitchie and Girija
Add to the mix the rollicking singles
Pavan, Bala, Vijaya, Saroj and Geetha and me
JJ, Rajesh, Rohini, Kanwal, Manju, GeetaM and Jyoti
Sorely did we miss the rest - Kamal and Neeru,
Askok K, Ekta, Uday, Deepak, and Rajpal too
Amongst others, (forgive the list incomplete)
But the scene was set for the action - a treat
in store every day, orchestrated perfectly
by Girija and Vijay, assisted ably
by their troop of drivers and chefs and musicians
Who never said no, it was always "yes we can-s"
The first night was touching we made our obeisance,
paid tribute to martyrs, had dinner with song and dance..
On the Wellington Lake, with magical ambience..
The following morning we were out and about -
Some to tee off at golf; the others were knocked out
By the trek - a goodly four hours did it take
Us, up the hill and down, with the Raliar dam for a break
And a visit with the Todas, to purchase their ware
Was our goal, but alas, we had scant time to spare,
Nor energy, forsooth; had we overestimated
Our fitness? But no, we were all unprostrated
By the effort; and ready for lunch eventually
At the WGC was delicious. That evening (no rest for
the wicked) we turned out at 4
At Coonoor station to board the toy train
For Lovedale and dinner at Ooty; twixt the twain
We shopped for chocolates; the place was a thrill
The chocaholics amongst us sure had their fill!
King's Cliff was our host for dinner that night,
A charming venue, and the food was a bit of all right!
The next (and final) day we thought we were all tuckered out
But to our surprise, the old legs held out!
We started out for Pykara Lake; a boat ride
and then a picnic lunch on the side.
That night we had a bonfire grand,
With booze and bites and a live musical band.
The same from the Wellington Lake; in no time
the gang was gyrating to numbers sublime.
(Ins zwischen, Jhilmil and I made foray -
The Needlecraft shop was our goal, oh I say!
The drive, most scenic, was well worth it all
(For we found the shop shut), and on return we did call
to stock up on tea and spices at the Vishal traders stall)
Dinner was indoors, with more music, (Pavan - valiantly)
And toasts, Rudy and Roh did the honours most gallantly
Then 'twas time for adieus and promises to meet
At BB4 , the venue is yet to be fixed but it will be a treat
Mallika
BB3 commenced with a solemn memorial service at Wellington for those soldiers who sacrificed their lives. It was a sun-drenched afternoon transtioning to a cool dusk. The traffic around the roundabout was curtailed as we assembled. Many of us were seeing each other after a lapse of 2 years some even longer But the AFCS blog kept us afresh of the alumni. It struck me right off the bat that we were such a compatible lot. There was Anjan and Gitu with their attractive in-laws Neelima and Ashok. Mallika our resident documenter-in-chief was there sans her sister Geetha. There was also the other Geethas-- Menon and Mehta-- looking so attractive. Bala, Anil Baweja, Jaggu Dada, Adhikari-- after a lapse of 50 years,my brother and SIL Vijay and Girija who were to show what a lovely event they put together for all of us. Parminder and Tejpal, Kanwal for the first time, Manjeet and the Mrs Amitava and Jhilmil, Saroj,Vijaya who always has that wonderful smile. My partner in past get togethers for doing the Twist and getting down low! Jyoti Malkani nee Gurbaxani came for the very first time nursing a sprained/broken wrist. GVG Rao and Mrs also visited for the first time. Manju Chand was there. Rajesh Kaura, the versifier, and of course Rohini from Bahrain. We reminisced about those who could not make it, grateful for the ones who were there and each of us in pairs took a single red rose and to the Last Post placed this at the memorial. Very solemn ceremony.
The "Thambis" new recruits of the MRC gave us a stirring dholak (mrindingam in Tamil) display in the dusk, even while it was cold, they were draped in dhothis and nothing else. Da Gang was definitely spell bound, especially after which we were whisked off to the Madras Regimental Centre museum where we were hosted by Lt. Col Baskhi of the MRC who took us around the exhibits. Rohini recited verses composed by "the Admiral" Vijay Shankar of the bravery of Havildar Thomas Phillipose of the MRC who earned a MVC for his bravery in the 1971 was tasked to capture Lalial and Sarajchak, prior to establishing a bridgehead across the river Basantar. Enemy minefields covered the entire area and the Pakistani infantry was well entrenched in the area. Pakistani observation posts kept a close watch over Indian movement. Accompanied by only 15 men, the havildar led a fierce attack and secured
Lalial. The enemy soon regrouped for a second attack. Philipose and his men, however rushed at the advancing enemy with fixed bayonets, Philipose was hit by a bullet but he kept going. The ferocity of the charge unnerved the Pakistanis and they began retreating. A stray bullet hit Philipose again, but he held on grimly till the battle was honored with the Mahavir Chakra for his steadfastness and courage..

Day 2: The Hike, Riallah Dam, Narrow Gauge Train Journey to Ooty and Kings Cliffe
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GVG Rao, Vijaya Muthanna, Mrs GVG Rao, Rudy Shankar Seated: The Toda people with their wares |

After a quick nap in the afternoon and we hurried down to the Wellington Train Station where Da Gang was gathered for what was to be a very busy rest of the day. We first hopped on to a narrow gauge train from Wellington to Ooty a distance of 40 odd km over one of the most picturesque mountain scenery. before it arrives at Wellington, the train negotiates a rack and pinion rail to assure hold as it climbs the mountains. After Wellington it switches to diesel locomotives but still a very steep drive to negotiate.
.
We arrived at Ooty (or as in Tamil called Udhagamandalam) where our respective rides were waiting for us and were on the way to the restaurant which was going to be our night entertainment.
But on the way we stopped at the "Modern Store" to do some shopping grab some tea.
Kingscliffe Restaurant
Day 3: Lake Pykara, The Farewell Dinner

Post-Partum: 1 Month On
Still reliving the wonderful time we had. Thanks Girija and
Snitchie!!
On our long flight back home Ann mentioned that I had wonderful
classmates and she enjoyed meeting all. You know that is something we AFCSers
should be proud of… we are a good bunch. Good bunch of mates
AND THEN IT'S WINTER....
Parminder Dhillon


And so...now I enter into this new season of my life unprepared for all the aches and pains and the loss of strength and ability to go and do things that I wish I had done but never did!! But, at least I know, that though the winter has come, and I'm not sure how long it will last...this I know, that when it's over on this earth...it’s over. A new adventure will begin!
Yes, I have regrets. There are things I wish I hadn't done...things I should have done, but indeed, there are many things I'm happy to have done. It's all in a lifetime.
So, if you're not in your winter yet...let me remind you, that it will be here faster than you think. So, whatever you would like to accomplish in your life please do it quickly! Don't put things off too long!! Life goes by quickly. So, do what you can today, as you can never be sure whether this is your winter or not! You have no promise that you will see all the seasons of your life...so, live for today and say all the things that you want your loved ones to remember...and hope that they appreciate and love you for all the things that you have done for them in all the years past!!
"Life" is a gift to you. The way you live your life is your gift to those who come after. So make it a fantastic one.
LIVE IT WELL! ENJOY, BE HAPPY AND HAVE A GREAT DAY !
Remember "It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver "
LASTLY, CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING: TODAY IS THE OLDEST YOU'VE EVER BEEN, YET THE YOUNGEST YOU'LL EVER BE SO - ENJOY THIS DAY WHILE IT LASTS.
FURTHER THOUGHTS
• Your kids are becoming you.......but your grandchildren are perfect!
• Going out is good.. But coming home is even better!
• You forget names.... But it's OK because other people forgot they even knew you!
• You realize you're never going to be really good at anything.... Especially in the areas of your strength.
• The things you used to care to do, you no longer care about them. But you really do care that you don't care to do them anymore.
• You sleep better on a lounge chair with the TV blaring than in bed. It's called "pre-sleep".
• You miss the days when everything worked with just an "ON" and "OFF" switch
• You tend to use more 4 letter words .... "what?"..."when?"... ???
• Now that you can afford expensive jewelry, it's not safe to wear it anywhere.
• You notice everything they sell in stores is "sleeveless"?!!!
• Everybody around whispers....but no one wants to talk to you in a voice you would want to hear!
• You have 3 sizes of clothes in your closet.... 2 of which you will never wear.
• But Old is good in some things: Old Songs, Old movies, and best of all, OLD FRIENDS!!
Stay well, "OLD FRIEND OR RELATIVE!" It's Not What You Gather, But What You Scatter That Tells What Kind Of Life You Have Lived.!!!
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