Why are Air Force higher ranks not joining in ? by Col Rajan

Respected Veterans,
Jai Hind.
It is time to call a Spade a Spade; and let us NOT beat around the bush.
The reason for the AFA not affixing its signature to the letter jointly addressed to the Hon'ble PM by the leading ESM organisations, is not far to seek. By the way, who is the President AFA? It is always the previous Air Chief, who on retirement takes over as President AFA. And who is the present President of AFA? Air Chief Marshal Fali Major who retired recently. And why has the AFA not joined the IESL, IESM & others in signing the letter addressed to the Hon'ble PM regarding Welfare of Ex- Servicemen? What a silly Question to ask ? Even an 8th std pass will tell you why? But why?
Respected Veterans, the previous Chief of Army Staff on retirement has been rewarded with the post of Governor. The previous Chief of Naval Staff has been rewarded with an ambassadorial post. And pray tell me Sirs, why should not the previous Air Chief expect to be rewarded similarly by the Govt.? Why should he burn his boats by signing a silly letter regarding Ex-Servicemen Welfare? Grant the President AFA that much intelligence as to what he ought to do and what he ought not to do; and as to what is good for him !!
Respected Veterans, let us not waste our time thinking of the President AFA and as to why Retired Air Marshals / AVMs of the Air Force have not joined IESM. Respected Veterans, it requires DHAM.
There are thirty Air Marshals here in Bangalore; and, none of them except one, has joined the IESM. And who is that lone exception? It is Veteran Air Marshal Keith Lewis, PVSM, AVSM, VM, an ace fighter Pilot and a soldier venerated by the entire Ex-Servicemen fraternity who is always in the forefront, leading the Crusade at Bangalore. Ex-Servicemen numbering over 300, hailing from Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra & Kerala, who had assembled at Bangalore on 15 March 2009, saluted Veteran Air Marshal Keith Lewis when he stood tall & erect and was the first to deposit his Medals - a PVSM, an AVSM, a Vayu Sena Medal together with thirteen other medals, in full view of the PRESS & TV. Well, that is Leading from the Front, the hallmark of a true soldier. Air Marshal Keith Lewis is one soldier for whom not only I; but the entire Ex-Servicemen fraternity would lay down our lives. Three Cheers to Air Marshal Keith Lewis. May his tribe of Brave Soldiers increase. I am also indebted to AVM Kasinath & AVM (Dr) DK Gupta for their unstinted support.
I would also like share that at Bangalore, the response to IESM from retired Officers of Air Force has been very positive & encouraging; for, a large number of Air Force Veterans always take part in all activities & events org by IESM. And the same goes for the Navy. Rear Admiral Vasanth and Cmde Sam Daniel along with a number of retired Officers of the Navy have always given their unstinted support.
What more can one ask for?


I would also like to take this opportunity to thank & express our gratitude to Lt Gen NSI Narahari, a Bombay Sapper, a Paratrooper, a deep sea diver and a die hard soldier, the likes of whom you do not come across very often, for his encouragement & support to the Movement. It was sometime in 1992 when I was Col ‘Q’ Delhi Area and had the privilege of serving under Maj Gen SC Kashyap, AVSM**, the GOC; and happened to mention Gen Narahari’s name, that, Gen Kashyap paid Gen Narahari a handsome compliment, by saying, “Gen Narahari, the only General with Ba**s”. I am sure all of you would have heard of the Sum Dorong Chu incident when Gen Narahari was the GOC 4 Corps.

Regards,
Col Rajan
Bangalore, 9448024377