Post-war Bonansa.

Post Indo Pak war was an enjoyable bonanza for warriors as a whole. All leaves, stopped six months before the war was opened in January 1972. Thirty-three days leave was granted to all those applied. All those who were called to field areas, from southern peace stations and training centres were routed back to their parent units. Altogether, there was a heavy military movement and military people crowded in all railway stations. The majority of the trains were labeled "Military Special". Altogether, the scenario was, India was a military-ruled country. But the citizens of India were not in an obsession of a military rule, but felt a sense of security by being guarded by the dedicated soldiers. The heart of the whole India was filled with gratitude to the warrior fraternity. Floral gratification as a token of accomplishments were seen in media all throughout.

I got thirty-three days post-war leave and was travelling from Adumpur to Delhi by Amritsar Express and from Delhi to Chennai by Grand Trunk Express. Those three days were the happiest journey days in my life. Like all of you, I might have lived in trains for four months, as journey days during my fifteen years of Airforce life. I have traveled to thirteen countries, just for an experience of seeing, but never and ever I experienced the ecstasy of those three days of post-war journey. Where ever the train stopped, there were crowds of civilian citizens, to greet and garland us. We started receiving greetings from Jallundhur, then, Pathankot, Ambala, Ludhiana, Patiala, Kurushetra, and all the stations up to Delhi. There were women and girls also among welcomers. They brought tons of chocolates, pedas, samosas, pooris, halwa, lassi, etc., and distributed them all along the train. This continued in G. T. Express also in Bhopal, Itarsi, Jhansi etc. In Nagpur, many baskets of oranges were distributed in train. In Warangal and waltair, the scenario was still more amusing to young soldiers that, crowds of students, boys, and girls, from schools and colleges, led by their teachers arrived in the station and came inside the train to greet us. They did the ritual of Arati pooja also. They came with gifts of chocolates, cashnuts, fruits, flowers, etc. What a. merriment!

Coming more and more to the south, as the insecurity of a war was not as much felt, the enthusiasm of civilians for greeting the soldiers was diminished, but our enthusiasm to see our native place and relatives, outdid that discontentment.

I can imagine the intensity of happiness, each warrior enjoyed when they reached their homes !!. That was the proud moment of choosing a right career.