Those Marut Guys – Walking a Tight Rope

Being medically unfit was posted to 33 SU and minding my own business in the Ops Room. In walked the Boss, the very loveable Alan D’Costa, and with him the fire eating AOC, whom Bobcat has referred to in his kahanis.

Sam Sekhar’s Kahanis from the Marut Handi – XIII – A

Personal QFI

The celebrities of to-day love their FANS for their devotion and the quantum of money they generate for their craft and products. The celebrities love to be seen from a long distance, like on the stage/screen/TV and they draw the line for the close proximity of contact. In this context they resort to

Personal Trainer

Personal Doctor

Personal Private Jet

Personal Tailor.

Personal Gym.

Personal Villa.

The list is endless.

This is the Kahani of Flt.Lt./Fg Offr.PABX.

Sam Sekhar’s Kahanis from the Marut Handi – XII

WAH WAH PEDAL AND BONDED LABOR

In the sixties the “FUNK BROTHERS” wrote most of the lyrics and the music for the MOTOWN SOUND. They were also the inventors of the “WA WA PEDAL”. This electronic foot pedal was attached to the lead guitar and when depressed gave the guitar a very distinct and melodious sound.

The Alleged Cradle Snatcher Responds

True Confessions

Honest admissions by a Station Master (1973-74)
(Follow-up to Sam’s Kahani XI)

Sam’s story brought back some happy memories of the time in Jodhpur. But since his time-line is all jumbled up and often wrong, let us look at the true history as suffered by the incumbent.

Sam Sekhar’s Kahanis from the Marut Handi – X

“BLUES” EL-DEE-THREE STYLE

This Flight Commander of the training Squadron is an old hand in the Marut Fleet. He has been in the fleet from Poona to Jamnagar to Jodhpur. He was the strong silent type and gave the impression of a Professor Emeritus.

Sam Sekhar’s Kahanis from the Marut Handi IX

MURPHY’S LAW OR WHAT WAS ON RAVI’S MIND

The tallest Flying Officer in the Marut fleet returns from his Annual Leave.
He has a completely different look about him.
He has a lilt in his voice.
He has a jaunty walk.
He is grinning from ear to ear all the time.
There is a glint in his eye and he is walking on “CLOUD NINE”.
There is much speculation in the “FLIGHTS” as to his malady.
Many theories are floated and BOBCAT nails it by concluding “Ravi got LUCKY”.
All  agree.

Sam Sekhar’s KAHANIS FROM THE MARUT HANDI – VIII

EXERCISE ANNIHILATE

This Command had just come into existence and the Boss with his Operations staff elected to have an air exercise to show the powers that be(both military and civilian)that the Air Defence of the sector was in safe hands. The aim was to show that any air threat would be well detected in time and would be annihilated well before coming close to the target. he Ops 1 A/B/C/D/Z got busy and wrote out the Preamble-Aim-Mission-100% Kill Rate and concluded that all enemy aircraft that dared to strike were shot down, with ZERO losses from the Air Defence Element.

Sam Sekhar’s KAHANIS FROM THE MARUT HANDI – VII

MYRA  BEHAN

Jodhpur not having good entertainment spots like Goa, the Marut crew made the best of the week ends with socializing and picnics. The pilots had their own cliques and accordingly formed mini groups. One such group being in Jodhpur for a long time made some friends with the civilian crowd. This group was very active and had great fun at all times.

Sam Sekhar’s KAHANIS FROM THE MARUT HANDI – VI

THE DEBRIEF

Low flying was permitted all day long in those days and most sorties were not below 30 feet.

A Marut pilot and his wife are dropped off at the railway station early in the morning by his two friends on his way to Bombay on annual leave.

Flying proceeds normally in the Marut fleet.

Twiddling Thumbs This Sunday

Just heard about the passing away of Mario Miranda – artist and cartoonist – RIP. Will anyone ever forget the buxom Miss Nimboopani?

Having a lazy Sunday and felt like sharing some brilliant un-quotable quotes by brilliant and famous people, sent to me by a friend. They must surely have ended up with a lot of egg on their faces: