MY INFATUATION FOR AN INTERNATIONAL LANGUAGE.

My odyssey in Airforce life was from one Indian border to another. My tenure for two years, in Chabua near the China border matured with an undesired posting to No. 12 Airforce hospital, Gorakhpur, near Nepal border. But this time, the deprival of a choice posting did not disappoint me as I slowly understood that a soldier's life is not a bed of roses and his path never runs smooth.

The Airforce hospital was at that time located in the large campus of Gorkha regiment, in British built old buildings, but fortunately nearby the campus of the famous university of Gorakhpur, word famous Gita press and, Gorakhnath temple, where I heard Yogi Aditya Nath was there as an inmate.

As I had told you earlier, I had an occult infatuation for learning English literature. I wanted to attend regular classes in the university college, but as you know it was next to impossible for a warrior. I did not break my head thinking about the unforeseen ways of college-going every day, in the beginning. I took admission to the university for a regular MA (English). By that time I had completed my three years diploma in Physiotherapy in Command Airforce hospital and thus became a full-fledged physiotherapist. I was posted to Gorakhpur hospital in that capacity and is the only physiotherapist in dept. of physiotherapy, the chances for college going during working hours was beyond hope.

The classes from 10 am to 4 pm started at the university. I had already applied for permission for attending three hours from 1 pm to 4 pm but was turned down. Usually, my work in the physiotherapy dept. would be over from 7.30 am to 11 am. Like all medical units, there used to be dissatisfaction and grumbling for frequent night duty among the familied airmen, who were in majority. I volunteered for continuous night duty and also to work as a physiotherapist up to 11 am in the physiotherapy dept. Unfortunately, my path did not run smoothly as the top brasses were not favorable although my colleagues were very happy with their deliverance from night duty. I desired to attend classes from 11 am to 4 pm every day. The classes went on for two weeks and no hope for me to attend. I gave up the idea of my regular study.

A ray of hope kindled in my mind with the news that my S M O, Chabua, Wg. Cdr. ML Saini, posted to 12 AFH as CO, like a messiah for me. He took charge in a week. He saw me while meeting with all staff. He said to me in his usual Hindi," Thum, idhar a gaya, abhi bhi padhayi ke chakker me he ,kya? "I smiled but did not say anything, as I knew that what he said was right. I submitted my application for the permission with an offer of 12 hrs night duty and 4 hrs of physiotherapy duty in dept. till 11 am every day. The application reached CO in two days with some negative recommendations. I was called by Wg. Cdr. Saini and mostly spoke in Hindi. He said, ""idhar bhi thumara dantha suru kiya"". I said, "Sir, I will do 16 hrs duty for this favour. "He said, "Why do you want to struggle so much, you have a very good professional qualification of physiotherapy". I said, "sir, English is a passion for me. "Then, he said, "jo marji" and approved the permission. Frankly speaking, in that ecstatic moment, I would have kissed him, had the social and service stigma allowed me. There was some suppressed uproar from adjutant, and many top brasses, who objected earlier, but CO's order is next to that of God. I have no grievances on them for being strict to service rules, but the only difference is that charisma can find ways amidst strict military rules also. My ever-loving Saini sir said to them, "I know him, he is doing 16 hrs continues duty for his studies, He will not create any problem for his duties, and I am sure, he will be extra careful for not having any complaints. "I completed my M.A. with merit in the same protocol for two years. Many of my colleagues in our Air warrior group also experienced the humanitarian interventions of Wg Cdr. ML SAINI. I remember him with utmost gratitude.

Thank you