I was so encouraged by this man, when saw photo of Indo pak 1971 War and the
only General to go to the front with bravery, I joined exactly 10 yrs later to
the forces.And carried that pride till today.I am more sad that the man
encouraged me is no more.But he lived more than time as he did maintained his
military dignity till last moment.I know like me lot many man and women from
India joined the forces and bcz of SAM all forces carried unity.Indian Armed
Forces need more like him officers to keep strong.Now all gone to the hands of
politicians.
There was one great incident for what today we would not have been able to see
this great hero with us nor this news would have hit the news.I was posted at
Air Force Academy Hyderabad from 1992-1996.In one of the units there we found
one normal man in uniform called as NCEs( Non combatant enrollments), they are
like uniformed office boy or lascars,sweepers etc.This man NCE AppaRao was a
young lascar during 1971 war.he just joined and was shifted to East pakistan in
a aircraft to carry back loads of seized arms.Gen SAM and Maj Gen Arora was in
the flight inside east PAK..Two East Pak spy in the uniform of IAF Flt Lt rank
was aproaching the aircraft.None felt that they the Pak will dare to board the
flight of Indian General.So all ignored.But the presence of mind of NCE APPA
RAO alerted that these are not Indian Air Force Officers and they was
suspicious. he being non weapon handler and not trained for it took out a rifle
and aimed to surrender sensing a
major disaster ahead of the life of Gen SAM as well the aircraft.He charged
them like a real fighter- all bcz that was war time and patriotism go
peak.Immediately all came running and scolded, beaten up Appa Rao that he is
doing wrong thing.His pant wa full of unrination by then.. but kept charging
with the seized weapon and caught hold the 2 pak spy in Indian IAF uniform.He
kept saying with loud cry that they are not Indian, PAk.Finally Indian Army
interrogated and found to be true.It was another jouous moment to the Idian
Armed Forces.Another hero was born.Appa Rao was later awarded with highest
gllantary award- Surya Chakra.
But the sorrowful things began while he was with us during AFA perion from
1992-1996.The Commanding Officer Wing Commander Pathak of his unit banned his
medal and ordered not to wear.In tradition anyone wears such high gallantary
medals are subject to salute by any rank regardfless of senior or junior or
civilian.Salute is given to the rank in military and the
award/decorations.Since he was only a simply worker, he was asked to cut grass
and do gardeing as punishment of wearing Shaurya Chakra(
http://indianarmy.nic.in/argall1.htm .He was later imprisoned at the age of
55...................Might be things never gone to FM Sam.We tried to inform
authorities, but by then there are major changes in the forces......
At this junction I would like to bring this story of NCE Appa Rao of
Hyderabad.Now he might be having a retired life elsewhere like me......
Alongwith Field Marshal SAM- today I remember Appa rao too.Salute to both the
hero. One sang one unsung.Jai Hind!
Dr.Bikash Kumar Das
Founder
Rhino Jungle Adventures
www.rjadventures.org
Karnataka, North East India.
Bangalore( India)
0091-9480618880
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