The letter arrived at my friend, Anjana Sunderason's house. We had both applied from her house after seeing an advertisement in the Femina magazine. By this time I had already applied to study medicine at the Poona Medical College. My father tested me by saying that I would be posted for five years at the border. I was ready to go through that because I was intent in doing research. I wanted to do research on a woman's periodic menstrual problem and on Parkinson's disease.
BANGLADESH WAR - 1971 - I had to withdrew the following piece from my facebook post because some people got enraged and commented adversely on my post. I wrote on my timeline, my personal space but some public did not understand a personal reaction.
1971 Bangladesh war. Indira Gandhi gifts 2 Fokker Friendship air crafts to newly formed Bangladesh. I was working for Indian Airlines. Some Bangladeshi pilots were being brought to India for further training. I was in such a flight when 2 men were on board from Bangladesh. Two prospective pilots to be trained in India to captain the Fokker Friendship aircraft. After the usual service was over, I was in the galley putting away things to prepare for landing and my co-hostess was clearing the cabin. In walks this gentleman (presumably) and makes a comment so atrocious that I go bloody red and purple. The gist of it is this that since I was working as an air hostess I was available! He was so sure of himself that he did not dream of anything opposing his proposal. He was some Rehman. I was blessed too young to handle such a situation and just ran to the cockpit crying. The co-pilot of my flight went out to make this new neighbour aware about some rules and cultural values of India, I guess. Things were calmer till we landed. It is an indelible experience in my life. After that I have been to Dacca on several flights but I never was interested to know the country. I still hold the same viewpoint. Forgive me if I hurt anyone's feelings.
12/3/2019
Initially most of my flights were early in the morning. That means I could hear the chug-chug of the Indian Airlines ambassador car turning from the Lansdowne Road towards my home at around 4/30 am. That meant I got up at 3.30 am, got ready, painted myself and was ready to go for my duty. My mom and dad always got up with me and would have a cup of tea and biscuits for me to have before I departed. So be it. Parents are like that, isn't it?
Well, one morning, as usual I got into the car next to the driver in the front seat I glanced at the back. There were already three of the flight crew seated - two pilots and a flight attendant or air hostess or steward. I preferred sitting next to the driver in the front and by now most of the crew knew this. So as I was usually the last to be picked and the first to be dropped, this place was more or less mine. Hehehe!
On the way to the airport one of the pilots asked me what was my full name. I was known as C.Deb in the airlines. I answered my first name was Chitralekha . The pilot asking me turned out to be the son of the author, Bhagwati Charan Verma, who had written the famous novel in Hindi named 'Chitralekha'. It was also made into a movie - twice. The above is an image of the film and its cast - Meena Kumari, Pradeep Kumar and Ashok Kumar. I still remember the pilot was C.P.S Verma. I was flattered and honoured like a silly teenager. Blushing red, purple and God knows what other colours.
I suddenly remembered this incident as I was listening to old songs on FM Gold and they played one of the songs from this film.
I wonder whether Captain Verma is still around. Hope he gets to read this or hear about this post of mine. Thank you, Captain. It was a morale booster for the day. Silly, I know. But then what can you tell a too young girl/air hostess?
BANGLADESH WAR - 1971 - I had to withdrew the following piece from my facebook post because some people got enraged and commented adversely on my post. I wrote on my timeline, my personal space but some public did not understand a personal reaction.
1971 Bangladesh war. Indira Gandhi gifts 2 Fokker Friendship air crafts to newly formed Bangladesh. I was working for Indian Airlines. Some Bangladeshi pilots were being brought to India for further training. I was in such a flight when 2 men were on board from Bangladesh. Two prospective pilots to be trained in India to captain the Fokker Friendship aircraft. After the usual service was over, I was in the galley putting away things to prepare for landing and my co-hostess was clearing the cabin. In walks this gentleman (presumably) and makes a comment so atrocious that I go bloody red and purple. The gist of it is this that since I was working as an air hostess I was available! He was so sure of himself that he did not dream of anything opposing his proposal. He was some Rehman. I was blessed too young to handle such a situation and just ran to the cockpit crying. The co-pilot of my flight went out to make this new neighbour aware about some rules and cultural values of India, I guess. Things were calmer till we landed. It is an indelible experience in my life. After that I have been to Dacca on several flights but I never was interested to know the country. I still hold the same viewpoint. Forgive me if I hurt anyone's feelings.
12/3/2019
Initially most of my flights were early in the morning. That means I could hear the chug-chug of the Indian Airlines ambassador car turning from the Lansdowne Road towards my home at around 4/30 am. That meant I got up at 3.30 am, got ready, painted myself and was ready to go for my duty. My mom and dad always got up with me and would have a cup of tea and biscuits for me to have before I departed. So be it. Parents are like that, isn't it?
Well, one morning, as usual I got into the car next to the driver in the front seat I glanced at the back. There were already three of the flight crew seated - two pilots and a flight attendant or air hostess or steward. I preferred sitting next to the driver in the front and by now most of the crew knew this. So as I was usually the last to be picked and the first to be dropped, this place was more or less mine. Hehehe!
On the way to the airport one of the pilots asked me what was my full name. I was known as C.Deb in the airlines. I answered my first name was Chitralekha . The pilot asking me turned out to be the son of the author, Bhagwati Charan Verma, who had written the famous novel in Hindi named 'Chitralekha'. It was also made into a movie - twice. The above is an image of the film and its cast - Meena Kumari, Pradeep Kumar and Ashok Kumar. I still remember the pilot was C.P.S Verma. I was flattered and honoured like a silly teenager. Blushing red, purple and God knows what other colours.
I suddenly remembered this incident as I was listening to old songs on FM Gold and they played one of the songs from this film.
I wonder whether Captain Verma is still around. Hope he gets to read this or hear about this post of mine. Thank you, Captain. It was a morale booster for the day. Silly, I know. But then what can you tell a too young girl/air hostess?
